Hollywood's racist hall pass

In what was believed to be the work of anti domestic violence activists, Chris Brown albums in London have been adorned with a caution sticker.

The labels read “WARNING: Do not buy this album! This man beats women.”
 
Brown’s success in spite of, or perhaps in accordance with his constant tabloid attention, is upsetting to those of us who cannot see him as anything other than an offensive, smug personality with mediocre musical talent.

That being said, as much as I support anyone condemning Brown for his violence, consider how many other male celebrities have openly beat women.

Yes, some of our favorite, most esteemed actors and directors are well-known woman beaters, including more distinguished and respectable men than the 23-year-old entertainer.

In 2004, Josh Brolin was arrested with a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery for beating his wife, Diane Lane.

In 1977, Director Roman Polanski was arrested for raping a 13-year-old girl.

While married to Madonna, Sean Penn reportedly beat her several times, once with a baseball bat.

In 1998, Tommy Lee was sentenced to six months in jail for battering then-wife Pamela Anderson.

In 2011, even Nicolas Cage was arrested following a heated public dispute with his wife. 

Charlie Sheen, who remains bizarrely successful following his 2011 meltdown, has dodged accusations of domestic abuse.

His ex wife, Brooke Mueller, accused him of hitting and threatening her.
What kind of repercussions has he faced for his behavior?

He is planning a nationwide tour, and his Comedy Central Roast was the highest rated on the network.

The list continues.

Still, the accounts of these stars’ domestic disputes are a little harder to find than Brown’s.

Despite his success, Brown cannot disassociate himself from his public and tumultuous relationship with singer Rihanna, nor will she ever move past being seen as a victim of abuse.

She is frequently shamed and picked apart for wanting to have an amicable relationship with her abuser.

Perhaps I should clarify that I am writing this in no way as a defense of Brown. Rather, we should consider the racially charged rhetoric we associate with his situation.

Why do we condemn Brown and Rihanna, but others, like Brolin and Penn, have transcended their scandalous past?

Why were Joe Jackson and Bobby Brown denounced, if not infamous, for their abusive conduct, while stars like Sheen continue to rise?

Why is Brown convicted as violent and cruel while other stars’ controversial behavior is excused as the result of a temporary meltdown?

Is it just a generational difference, or is there more to say here about implicit race and class divisions?

It seems like we give our white, male, upper-class celebrities a pass when it comes to problems with mental illness, aggression, violence, addiction and abuse.

Can we separate the content from the source, the art from the artist?

Can someone’s work be so good as to excuse their misconduct?

­— alliston@indiana.edu