Part two

My last post deliberated the controversy over Eminem and Rihanna’s hit “Love The Way You Lie”… This post will conclude my final thoughts of the song and share my personal experience.

Frist off: the issue of domestic and gendered violence is very dear to me. I will NEVER praise either artist for bringing awareness to the issue as it was done in the tackiest way possible. Violence between partners is NEVER okay! Though I can recognize that individuals are sometimes placed in unavoidable situations where abuse seems only logical, it’s not! Both song and video forever haunt me as I have shamefully been on both sides of domestic violence.  I first handedly know what it’s like to be abused and abuse my significant other. Though I know nothing I say will legitimize my reasoning for becoming physical, I can look back at my experience and learn from my mistake. Point blank, Gendered Violence is a male issue solely because men perform it.

More research was put forth into the song and I started to collect the personal opinions and thoughts of fans/ listeners all over the world via blog sites. It didn’t surprise me that the majority of fans bluntly blamed both artists for perpetrating the problem of domestic violence. It was more apparent than ever that the video hyper sexualized and almost advocated violence in relationships. Both Rihanna and Eminem fought back with releasing statements saying the purpose of the song (and video) was to exemplify and bring awareness to gendered violence.

Unfortunately, Eminem and Rihanna did not have that effect to their listeners. The artists were continually ridiculed for improperly addressing the dangers and risk that comes behind domestic violence. As I stated before, violence in relationships between men and woman have never looked more appealing… thanks to the song and video.

To add fuel to the flame: A few months after “Love the way you Lie” hit and all time record sales, Rihanna and Eminem teamed up once again and released a part two. Perhaps the reasoning was for Rihanna to clear the record and properly address the issues gender violence… or so it seemed.  My initial reaction of the song made me applause Rihanna for sharing her full and honest perspective of the issue. She indicates through her lyrics that blaming the victim is problematic. Whether or not Rihanna wronged her partner she is still a victim, regardless.

“In this Tug of war you’ll always win, even when I’m right” – The lyrics initiate that gendered violence is a male issue because the abuse is inevitable. The male (masculine, or dominant figure) will always have the last say.

“Cause you feed me fables from your head, with violent words and empty threats. And it’s sick that all these battles are what keeps me satisfied” In this verse Rihanna is highlighting that she is nothing less of a victim of domestic violence while simultaneously admitting her problematic addiction with abuse.