Ray Rice: Backlash Or Bandwagon??

What's the deal cats?!  Decided to strike the iron while it's hot and do my social commentary blog a couple days earlier than normal.  This has been a red hot topic of discussion for the past 24-48 hours. The issue being Ray Rice and the very shocking video of him viciously knocking out his then-fiancee Janay in an elevator.  In lieu of this video, the Ravens decided to cut Rice from their roster and the NFL made a ruling to indefinitely suspend the RB.  After watching the video myself, even I couldn't defend the man's actions.  If knocking his lady out wasn't enough, he drug her limp, unconscious body out of the elevator.  It looked bad and there's clearly no way to even come close to defending the man's actions.

Today, however, Janay (now his wife, go figure) made news by publicly blasting the media for his firing from the Ravens and his suspension.  She stated that this has been a "nightmare" and that it felt like "mourning the death of her closest friend".  Although he owned up to his actions and made a public apology to the fans and to the league, the backlash from this video has been undeniable.  This has been such a topic that even celebs have made their thoughts known about it all.  Actor/Comedian Seth Rogan called him "garbage" and felt that he should be "banned from the NFL for life".  Many reflect this same sentiment.

Last week I posted video of a woman (again I use that term loosely, smh) beating her ex boyfriend with a pipe, then going to Police, lied about him beating her, and the police arrested him instead of the perpetrator.  I vehemently made my thoughts clear about how I felt there was a double standard about domestic violence in our society and how the law clearly favors the woman and automatically points them as the victim, regardless of the situation or circumstance, which was, and is a travesty and is disgusting.  However, in this case, much like last week's video, this was clearly an assault.  We can't say how provocative she was before the left hand was delivered.  All we can go off of was how big time that left of his connected to where she hit her head on the rail in the elevator and dropped.  Of course we can go into the possible very valid argument of "What did she say, do, etc. to set him off" argument.  In this scenario, she clearly did little to nothing to warrant that attack.  She didn't throw blows other than what looked like one slap or push before they got into the elevator.

Now is when I go into BK mode (if you don't know what that is, stay tuned).  In the light of the Ray Rice controversy, there lies a few more issues.  Is this backlash warranted unquestionably, or are there just people that just would like to jump on the anti-Rice bandwagon?  What do I mean?  Glad you asked me that question.  In February of 2009, R&B/Pop Singer Chris Brown assaulted his then girlfriend Pop princess Rihanna the morning of the Grammy Awards.  While there have been many rumored versions about what led up to that brutal beating, the pictures showed a severely beaten RiRi.  The only thing is, a lot of these people that were vilifying him wary on in this situation are still playing and dancing to his music years later.  They only went against him when it was apparently popular to do so.

Although this was a clearly violent act, let us not forget the fact that this woman also married him.  Whatever issues they had, they are apparently working them out for themselves and especially the children involved.  From this, he has lost endorsements, his team cut him, people can trade in their Rice jerseys for free, and of course there's the court of the ever-important (slide sarcasm in here) court of public opinion where he will now the get the "woman batterer" label.  Also, others in the NFL such as Ben Rothlesberger was accused of sexually assaulting a woman and was still able to play.  Meanwhile, Michael Vick was sent to PRISON for dogfighting and has been cleaning up his image since his release his 2007.  Atlanta wanted nothing to do with him upon his release and it wasn't until 2009 when Philadelphia signed him, and it was met with caution and trepidation then.  Boy we sure as hell can picky and choosey can't we??

Bottom line is this: the woman not stood by her man, but she's defending him.  Regardless of what anybody's opinion of this man is, it's clear by her anger towards the media that they're in another place and just trying to move forward (I forgot to mention that the incident was seven months old and NOW the full knockout video was released to the public.  Irony??? NAHHHHHHHH!!!!).  I'm sure he'll be able to get back into the NFL after some time has passed, however the matter is what team will be willing to roll the dice on this man?  Another question would be, if a team did decide to scoop up this man, how long will it be before he's scoring the winning touchdown for the team that just so happen to be your favorite team and you're cheering him and back on his team?  Promise you, there will people that will do so like the hypocrites they are.

That's it for this week...or at least for now.  Everybody have a great week and hold it down!