WOW! For a minute I thought I was reading the Grape Juice with all the hate being spewed on this website. I understand constructive criticism b/c obviously not everyone will agree with what she does, but some of you seem to have forgotten that it's HER LIFE. Please inform me when Rihanna signed a contract with you stating that she would behave within the confines or your moral code?! You're not happy? See yourself out.
She's self-destructive? Yes, I get it, you all have high standards for this young woman, but the fact that you consider her to be on a ruinous path because she got a tattoo, smoked weed ( what a hard drug, she's such an addict) and spends her downtime going to basketball games (oh, I'm sure she's the only one drinking there). "Rolls eyes"
This is Rihanna. She smokes weed, likes ink and likes to drink. If you don't agree with that, you don't have to support her. The self-righteousness of you people is pretty sad. Anyone who cares to take an objective look at her can tell that she does NOT have an addiction problem. What an insult to the people who really suffer from addiction & its subsequent mental health issues! There is a difference between drinking and smoking weed socially and needing to go to rehab because you've hit rock bottom. Since Rihanna clearly isn't interested in spending every hour promoting TTT, that means she's out of control? Have you ever heard of burnout? That is exactly what will happen if she were to meet any of your expectations, lol.
If it hurts your feelings to see Rihanna enjoy her life as an AUTONOMOUS human being with self-determination, than I suggest you jump on the bandwagon of someone who cares to be the slave of a spotless public image. Rihanna could give two fucks about offending people. She's talented & resourceful enough NOT to sell herself out in order to make everyone happy. She's young & having fun. Maybe you should try to do the same instead of scrambling for something…anything to discredit her. Look at her accolades & everything she's accomplished thus far. Now, tell me, how have you enriched your life by disparaging Rihanna from behind your computer screen?
All I know is that I enjoy her music & she continues to make good music, so she's doing her damn job. I don't recall her ever signing up to be a Good Will Ambassador or some other political figure of "respectability". So, in that case, she owes you absolutely nothing during her free time. I've been avoiding this site for the past couple of weeks simply because this is no longer a place to support of Rihanna. It's totally been hijacked. SMDH. Tabloid culture has seriously fucked up the music industry.
she is on a break which means although she has released talk that talk she wont be touring with it this year and no heavy promotion for the album for goodness sake 6 albums in 6 years would take its toll on anyone although i do agree she needs to put the drink down for once
Girl, you just gave them the gospel! Tell em' again! The Navy is soooooo damn extra and OTT sometimes.
Have ya'll forgotten this that this is the first bit of downtime she's gotten in over a year??? She's earned a break, leave her be. From the looks of it ya'll will get your wish for promo in February anyway so shut up and sit down.
Is the tat stupid? Maybe but last time I checked she was a grown women who was well entitled to do as she pleases with her body. Ya'll need to get over yourselves.
I know right! It's ironic because people were advising her to take a break & not overwork herself during the LOUDtour when she was clearly suffering from exhaustion. Now that she's fulfilled her contract obligation and wants to relax before returning to a hectic work schedule, people are running their mouths. It's quite irritating b/c, otherwise, I enjoy coming to this site for Rihanna news.
I didn't sign up to read the opinions of pompous individuals who pass judgement like they pass fucking gas. Are we in Sunday school? LOL. I'm really annoyed at this point. The trolls have succeeded, haha ;)
Great to see her having fun! One question to you Rihanna sweetheart! Are you a Lakers fan or a Clippers fan?
Comment by SOSMANDOWN — January 27, 2012 @ 10:06 am
Well, I could not have said better myself, …sometime I wonder what sor of life the holier-than-thou types live, Robyn in a young woman living and enjoying herself, and let me hasten to add the moment we feel that she is getting out of hand whe will be brought home to Barbados and given a good talking to………I wish they will just leave Robyn the hell alone.
Comment by Barbadian — January 27, 2012 @ 10:19 am
Right! I understand being a little frustrated with the lack of promo and some of her actions have garnered a side eye from me too but the "Navy" seems to be taking it a little too personally these days.
Rihanna hates judgmental folks and her fans are doing the very thing she dislikes. She seems to be really enjoying her break and living….something she hasn't been able to do for months because she was busting her behind on tour….
Anyway, I'm so excited for promo. She's been resting her voice so I hope she sounds beautiful at the Grammys with Coldplay. I'm hoping she can turn this around and make TTT another great era for her.
Fayana416 gurl u certainly know how to silence the haters and i LOVE IT!!! Ur a true Rihanna fan through and through (like me) who doesnt troll on the these websites… I Love to hear your opinion on these things because i feel the exact same! :D haha, this is where i need your help lol….people keep saying to me that rihanna is a slut and i totally disagree, the thing is though i dont know what to say in response…,.its really getting on my nerves I would love to silence the haters….U ready to help and teach me *pulls out pen and notepad* Whats ur opinion on this so called "slut"? xox Navy4Life!
Comment by TalkThatTalk — January 27, 2012 @ 11:34 am
Amen for what u said above….like rihanna said haters will always hate even if she is doing bad or good. I dont give a flying fuck what trolls would say about my girl…al i care is that she getting the break that she deserve. People tend to forget that maybe she is tired, let her do what she likes to do.
Aww! Thanks, hun! I try my best stick up for Rih when possible b/c a lot of the criticism she gets is usually wrapped up in a nice package of double standard. Yeah, I ain't feeling that shit, lol. Glad you enjoy my comments <3!
**This is going to be in multiple posts, lol! I wrote too much***
And that is a very good question! I've dealt with a few of those insults before. And you know what TalkThatTalk, when someone calls Rihanna a slut, it is exactly that, an insult. They have no valid argument so they resort to shaming her sexuality. The funny thing is…if these fools were to tell Rihanna that she's a "slut", you know what she'd say? "Your point?" or some other witty comment that subverts the sexism thrown at her. Rihanna is NOT afraid of her sexuality, nor is she afraid of making people uncomfortable with how much she embraces her sexuality. Let's be honest, a black woman in control of her sexuality makes people nervous & that is exactly why people are always telling Rihanna to cover up. Well, they can eat my cunt cause I, nor Rihanna, give a fuck. She is a truly SEX POSITIVE icon. And listening to RIhanna over the years has helped me become more confident in my sexuality as a young black woman because in her music, she is always the one in control & even when she is submissive, she has the power to choose to be dominated, you see?
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
People who call Rihanna a slut don't realize that she's constantly putting herself out there for ALL WOMEN. Her music, though highly sexual, is very empowering to women, because the standpoint is always that of a strong woman. Think about her most recent videos. People thought S&M was slutty, but really, it's about being free in your sexual relationships, it's about consent, because BDSM is all about communication & knowing what your partner likes. Even though Rihanna is pleasing her male partner, you better believe she is going to have hers taken care of too. Another great example is Rude Boy: again, people were yelling slut, but if you listen carefully to the lyrics, she was in control of that sexual relationship. Furthermore, we all know how women in heterosexual relationships are taught to compromise their sexual pleasure for their partner's egos. I'm sure you've heard women "faking it" just so they don't hurt their lovers feelings. Well, RIhanna BOLDLY states, "Babe if I don't feel it, I ain't faking, no." People don't realize how powerful that is. To put yourself front & centre of your sexual experiences without letting society shove you in the usual subordinate place for a woman. Rihanna constantly fights that with her sexuality. If that makes her a slut, so be it. But she sure as hell is more empowered being sexually liberated & in charge of her sexuality than being docile & letting a male partner (in a hetero relationship) have all the power/ pleasure.
And let's not forget that she must negotiate her sexuality in our rape culture, just as any woman must on a daily basis. However, in tackling sexual assault with her Man Down video, Rihanna allowed herself to be very vulnerable. Perhaps her most vulnerable since her Rated R work. Being a survivor of domestic violence, she knows all too well how the victim is persecuted while the perpetrator's actions are justified: "she gave him herpes, she's a devil worshiper, she's a bitch & that is why CB's actions were ok." Sadly, part of the reason Chris Brown was crucified by the largely white media is because he's a black male. His white counterparts have not been vilified in the same way for being violent with their partners & they continue their careers without so much a blemish. Of course, Rihanna's celebrity plays equally into this but much of the hate she gets is a backlash for publicly surviving that abuse & coming out stronger than ever.
Anyway, with Man Down, she showed the world that it does NOT matter what a woman is doing, how she is dressed, who she is with, NOBODY ASKS TO BE RAPED! NOBODY (Woman, man, transwoman, transman or however you identify) NOBODY WELCOMES RAPE! And this was beautifully conveyed throughout the video as she is shown embracing her beauty, her sexuality & just enjoying herself. This narrative is hauntingly too common in this rape culture. A woman's way of dress is used to justify rape & again Rihanna changes up the power dynamics when she kills her attacker. It wasn't about whether it was right or wrong, because murder is never "right" but if that was an appropriate response to the frustration, guilt, humiliation a victim of sexual violence feels after they are violated. B/c they are violated over & over again by victim-blaming mentality in the justice systems, in our day-to-day lives. So, Rihanna offers an interesting perspective on how one woman deals with something 1 in 5 women will experience in their lifetime.
So, how do you respond to people who call Rihanna a slut? Well, you can either tell them to fuck off, or not engage with them at all, because they are clearly sexist, misogynist sheep or won't even hear you either way. Those people will hate any woman who makes any reference to her sexualized body unless her name is Lady Gafa. Let's face it, we are all sexual beings, & Rihanna is so unabashed in her sexuality, she's got both men & woman red in the face.
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
TalkThatTalk, I apologize for writing a novel, haha, but I got carried away with the analysis of Rihanna. The brilliance in Rihanna's brand when it comes to overturning the sexism women face (in her case racialized sexism) & empowering herself & other women to OWN their sexuality makes me wonder, maybe we should take back the word SLUT. If we embrace the word, we disarm those engaging in slut shaming & we take away the power behind the insult. There is nothing wrong with my, yours, her female sexuality, & if being proud of it makes Rihanna a slut, then i'm sure she would gladly take on that label. I would too. Ain't nothing wrong with a young woman confident with her body especially since society tells us everyday that we should be ashamed. Seriously, Rihanna is more than just a pop star, she's become an important figure in female sexual liberation for girls born in the late 80's and afterwards. Like Janet Jackson & Madonna before her, Rihanna doesn't really give a fuck!
**Awesome question, btw, hope you can find an adequate answer in my dissertation, haha!**
Cheers!
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
I Co-sign you Fayana416! she is the only female in the music bizz who keeps it real and not afraid about expressing her sexuality. I love that about her and other people feel threaten by this powerful beauty
I agree! People are very much threatened by her overt display of sexuality. Sometimes, her confidence & self-awareness transcends her age. It's hard to believe she's only 24 (just about) and is making the whole world panic with her boundary breaking! I honestly love this woman. Like i said before, she is so much more than just your typical pop star, but at the end of the day, she is HUMAN. She doesn't try to be anything but. Rihanna is the most down to earth chick in the game. Are we really crying that she doesn't pretend to be miss-goodie-goodie? FUCK OUT, man!!!
Our girl loves basketball. I love Rih just the way she is right now.I love how she is not afraid to push the envelop when it comes to her career and personal life. If she was a goodie goodie I would not like her as much as I do. I like how she changed her career with chopping her hair off and dying it black in 07.
I admire Rih because she was resillient in 09 and I adore her courage for dealing with things the way she did. I admire her because she did not want people to feel sorry for her. The one thing is she is so strong. I feel she has went through so much hate.
I believe what does not kill you makes you stronger. I believe Rih deep down is both tough and sensitive at the same time. Rih is a camilion she can be anything she wants to be.
That's right get that drink on. Rihanna at the Clippers's game trying to get one of the players. But that player has a woman and she has class. That big yellow dude don't want a lost soul like Rihanna
If Rihanna doesn't want to be talked about (good or bad), then she will have to remove herself from the public eye. Writing paragraph after paragraph about how Rihanna doesn't give a fuck will not stop people from commenting about her. Rihanna obviously cares what people say, or she wouldn't be blasting people on twitter. You are being foolish if you think people are going to stop commenting, just because you're frustrated.
Comment by Island girl 35 — January 27, 2012 @ 4:40 pm
You are so full of a shit…go wash your rotten mouth bitch
Actually, my initial comment was about the expectation people have for Rihanna to act according to their moral standards. Everything else you described as "paragraph after paragraph" discussed a specific question another member asked me regarding Rihanna's sexuality & her slut-shaming in the media as well as on blogs. I wouldn't expect someone to read it all, but a little skim through would have informed you of that.
While I am definitely annoyed at the recent comments on these sites, I don't expect anyone to stop commenting b/c I vehemently disagree. I stated that as the reason why I haven't checked Rihanna Daily recently. I'm a very sensible person, but when I see bullshit, I have to call it out.
"If Rihanna doesn't want to be talked about (good or bad), then she will have to remove herself from the public eye. Writing paragraph after paragraph about how Rihanna doesn't give a fuck will not stop people from commenting about her. Rihanna obviously cares what people say, or she wouldn't be blasting people on twitter."
Now that is just lazy. I'm sure Rihanna is aware of the implications of being a public figure. I think she's handling it fairly well considering the amount of negativity she receives. Twitter is but entertainment for her. However, that doesn't negate the fact that tabloid culture is dysfunctional & what I specifically addressed is the entitlement some people display when she does something they don't agree with: "Oh noes, how could she?! like ohmygooood! She's a drug addict, blah blah, blah" just because they see a set of photos taken of her going about her business, they feel they have a personal understanding of her life. That annoys ME (I can't read Rihanna's mind) & thus I reacted accordingly. Your assumption that I believe everyone should stop commenting is cute though. Just because I feel some folks need to shut the fuck up with their nonsense doesn't mean I expect them to. ;) My way of dealing with shit I don't want to hear…I generally just stay away from it.
"I've been avoiding this site for the past couple of weeks simply because this is no longer a place to support Rihanna. It's totally been hijacked. "
I can't believe you actually took time outta your life to type this :/ no one even said anything about rihanna on the post. Smh I think everyone should just mind their business concerning rihanna. She's here to make music no one should talk about her personal life good or bad. Btw i hope she coming to ny to promote the album!!
whoa there. see what im talking about. There's always so much negativity on here. Im tired of seeing shit like this. Youre calling someone else a bitch yet you hate it when other ppl call rihanna one. Smh so hypocritical. Rise above it. And infact i think rihanna does have a crush on Blake griffin.
And since you've decided to engage with me, let's keep it real. We all know every post about Rihanna at a basketball game is full of vitriol, so I'm not sure why you're surprised that I've addressed it.
"no one even said anything about rihanna on the post."
Um, yes, I believe someone DID say something along the lines of "stop drinking, smoking, getting tattoos…" It was among the first ten responses. Also, the past couple of weeks have shown the most vicious attacks of Rihanna I've seen on this site, and having had enough of it, I decided to post here before it got nasty. You can shake your head all you want ;)
"She's here to make music no one should talk about her personal life good or bad."
Hmm, interesting… I hope you grace us with this viewpoint the next time people are being vile in their attacks on Rihanna.
And if it makes any difference to you, I was advocating that Rihanna should be able to do whatever she pleases in her personal life & that it isn't the place of folks to dictate how she acts.
In fact, I said this:
"All I know is that I enjoy her music & she continues to make good music, so she's doing her damn job. I don't recall her ever signing up to be a Good Will Ambassador or some other political figure of "respectability". So, in that case, she owes you absolutely nothing during her free time."
My opinion is not much different from yours.
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 11:36 pm
effin' essays. who spends time to read them. lol. don't waste your time. 4real. this' a fastfood fansite.
Comment by bad habit — January 27, 2012 @ 11:49 pm
LMAO!!
Well, I'll remember to keep it short next time. :p
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 11:55 pm
Fayana dont let trolls stop you from expressing your feelings through writing even if its an eassy. Torlls cant handle the truth so they attack with their favorite vile words " she is a slut, She cant sing, she is a weed head" with out even stating the facts why they dislike her. Do your damn thing girl.
ITS WEIRD BECAUSE THE TATOO MAKER SAID THAT SHE DID THE THUG LIFE TATOO BUT IN THE END IT WAS FAKE MAYBE THE REAL ONE IS ON HER BACK BECAUSE I SAW A PICTURE OF HER DOING A NEW ONE ON HER BACK?!
Firstly, Island girl and Mimi- you both don’t seem too bright.
Fayana, so so enjoyed your posts. May not agree with you on all points but anyone who articulates themselves so beautifully has my attention. You should consider having a blog, if you do not already.
So, I Love you, you my friend okay!! lol
Comment by Giettaokay — January 27, 2012 @ 4:50 am
<3 her smile…… She's looking gorgeous!
Comment by DeanLover — January 27, 2012 @ 6:06 am
lovely smile
http://www.mrs-ca.blogspot.com
Comment by Ester — January 27, 2012 @ 6:57 am
Beautiful.
Comment by Cherry — January 27, 2012 @ 7:05 am
She looks gorgeous and seems to have fun :)
I LOVE RIHANNA <33333333333333333333333
Comment by TK-75523 — January 27, 2012 @ 7:28 am
Go promote ur Album,and STOP with all those ur unnecessary tattoos,drinking and smoking,REALLY
Comment by doubline47 — January 27, 2012 @ 8:17 am
Im really locing her new look!!She looks stunning!!Natural Beauty <3 <3
Comment by @TakeCareOfMeRIH — January 27, 2012 @ 8:23 am
yes she is a beauty! but is she going to see jack nicholson or who? lmao! luv u riri!!!
Comment by cheryl — January 27, 2012 @ 9:05 am
She is so beautiful,love her
Comment by Evelyn — January 27, 2012 @ 9:14 am
WOW! For a minute I thought I was reading the Grape Juice with all the hate being spewed on this website. I understand constructive criticism b/c obviously not everyone will agree with what she does, but some of you seem to have forgotten that it's HER LIFE. Please inform me when Rihanna signed a contract with you stating that she would behave within the confines or your moral code?! You're not happy? See yourself out.
She's self-destructive? Yes, I get it, you all have high standards for this young woman, but the fact that you consider her to be on a ruinous path because she got a tattoo, smoked weed ( what a hard drug, she's such an addict) and spends her downtime going to basketball games (oh, I'm sure she's the only one drinking there). "Rolls eyes"
This is Rihanna. She smokes weed, likes ink and likes to drink. If you don't agree with that, you don't have to support her. The self-righteousness of you people is pretty sad. Anyone who cares to take an objective look at her can tell that she does NOT have an addiction problem. What an insult to the people who really suffer from addiction & its subsequent mental health issues! There is a difference between drinking and smoking weed socially and needing to go to rehab because you've hit rock bottom. Since Rihanna clearly isn't interested in spending every hour promoting TTT, that means she's out of control? Have you ever heard of burnout? That is exactly what will happen if she were to meet any of your expectations, lol.
If it hurts your feelings to see Rihanna enjoy her life as an AUTONOMOUS human being with self-determination, than I suggest you jump on the bandwagon of someone who cares to be the slave of a spotless public image. Rihanna could give two fucks about offending people. She's talented & resourceful enough NOT to sell herself out in order to make everyone happy. She's young & having fun. Maybe you should try to do the same instead of scrambling for something…anything to discredit her. Look at her accolades & everything she's accomplished thus far. Now, tell me, how have you enriched your life by disparaging Rihanna from behind your computer screen?
All I know is that I enjoy her music & she continues to make good music, so she's doing her damn job. I don't recall her ever signing up to be a Good Will Ambassador or some other political figure of "respectability". So, in that case, she owes you absolutely nothing during her free time. I've been avoiding this site for the past couple of weeks simply because this is no longer a place to support of Rihanna. It's totally been hijacked. SMDH. Tabloid culture has seriously fucked up the music industry.
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 9:28 am
she is on a break which means although she has released talk that talk she wont be touring with it this year and no heavy promotion for the album for goodness sake 6 albums in 6 years would take its toll on anyone although i do agree she needs to put the drink down for once
Comment by tyra — January 27, 2012 @ 9:30 am
Girl, you just gave them the gospel! Tell em' again! The Navy is soooooo damn extra and OTT sometimes.
Have ya'll forgotten this that this is the first bit of downtime she's gotten in over a year??? She's earned a break, leave her be. From the looks of it ya'll will get your wish for promo in February anyway so shut up and sit down.
Is the tat stupid? Maybe but last time I checked she was a grown women who was well entitled to do as she pleases with her body. Ya'll need to get over yourselves.
Comment by Lisa — January 27, 2012 @ 9:34 am
I know right! It's ironic because people were advising her to take a break & not overwork herself during the LOUDtour when she was clearly suffering from exhaustion. Now that she's fulfilled her contract obligation and wants to relax before returning to a hectic work schedule, people are running their mouths. It's quite irritating b/c, otherwise, I enjoy coming to this site for Rihanna news.
I didn't sign up to read the opinions of pompous individuals who pass judgement like they pass fucking gas. Are we in Sunday school? LOL. I'm really annoyed at this point. The trolls have succeeded, haha ;)
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 9:41 am
Great to see her having fun! One question to you Rihanna sweetheart! Are you a Lakers fan or a Clippers fan?
Comment by SOSMANDOWN — January 27, 2012 @ 10:06 am
Well, I could not have said better myself, …sometime I wonder what sor of life the holier-than-thou types live, Robyn in a young woman living and enjoying herself, and let me hasten to add the moment we feel that she is getting out of hand whe will be brought home to Barbados and given a good talking to………I wish they will just leave Robyn the hell alone.
Comment by Barbadian — January 27, 2012 @ 10:19 am
Right! I understand being a little frustrated with the lack of promo and some of her actions have garnered a side eye from me too but the "Navy" seems to be taking it a little too personally these days.
Rihanna hates judgmental folks and her fans are doing the very thing she dislikes. She seems to be really enjoying her break and living….something she hasn't been able to do for months because she was busting her behind on tour….
Anyway, I'm so excited for promo. She's been resting her voice so I hope she sounds beautiful at the Grammys with Coldplay. I'm hoping she can turn this around and make TTT another great era for her.
Comment by Lisa — January 27, 2012 @ 10:53 am
Fayana416 gurl u certainly know how to silence the haters and i LOVE IT!!! Ur a true Rihanna fan through and through (like me) who doesnt troll on the these websites… I Love to hear your opinion on these things because i feel the exact same! :D haha, this is where i need your help lol….people keep saying to me that rihanna is a slut and i totally disagree, the thing is though i dont know what to say in response…,.its really getting on my nerves I would love to silence the haters….U ready to help and teach me *pulls out pen and notepad* Whats ur opinion on this so called "slut"? xox Navy4Life!
Comment by TalkThatTalk — January 27, 2012 @ 11:34 am
Amen for what u said above….like rihanna said haters will always hate even if she is doing bad or good. I dont give a flying fuck what trolls would say about my girl…al i care is that she getting the break that she deserve. People tend to forget that maybe she is tired, let her do what she likes to do.
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 12:32 pm
My guess she is a Clippers fan… she went to the last two Clippers games
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 12:40 pm
Aww! Thanks, hun! I try my best stick up for Rih when possible b/c a lot of the criticism she gets is usually wrapped up in a nice package of double standard. Yeah, I ain't feeling that shit, lol. Glad you enjoy my comments <3!
**This is going to be in multiple posts, lol! I wrote too much***
And that is a very good question! I've dealt with a few of those insults before. And you know what TalkThatTalk, when someone calls Rihanna a slut, it is exactly that, an insult. They have no valid argument so they resort to shaming her sexuality. The funny thing is…if these fools were to tell Rihanna that she's a "slut", you know what she'd say? "Your point?" or some other witty comment that subverts the sexism thrown at her. Rihanna is NOT afraid of her sexuality, nor is she afraid of making people uncomfortable with how much she embraces her sexuality. Let's be honest, a black woman in control of her sexuality makes people nervous & that is exactly why people are always telling Rihanna to cover up. Well, they can eat my cunt cause I, nor Rihanna, give a fuck. She is a truly SEX POSITIVE icon. And listening to RIhanna over the years has helped me become more confident in my sexuality as a young black woman because in her music, she is always the one in control & even when she is submissive, she has the power to choose to be dominated, you see?
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
People who call Rihanna a slut don't realize that she's constantly putting herself out there for ALL WOMEN. Her music, though highly sexual, is very empowering to women, because the standpoint is always that of a strong woman. Think about her most recent videos. People thought S&M was slutty, but really, it's about being free in your sexual relationships, it's about consent, because BDSM is all about communication & knowing what your partner likes. Even though Rihanna is pleasing her male partner, you better believe she is going to have hers taken care of too. Another great example is Rude Boy: again, people were yelling slut, but if you listen carefully to the lyrics, she was in control of that sexual relationship. Furthermore, we all know how women in heterosexual relationships are taught to compromise their sexual pleasure for their partner's egos. I'm sure you've heard women "faking it" just so they don't hurt their lovers feelings. Well, RIhanna BOLDLY states, "Babe if I don't feel it, I ain't faking, no." People don't realize how powerful that is. To put yourself front & centre of your sexual experiences without letting society shove you in the usual subordinate place for a woman. Rihanna constantly fights that with her sexuality. If that makes her a slut, so be it. But she sure as hell is more empowered being sexually liberated & in charge of her sexuality than being docile & letting a male partner (in a hetero relationship) have all the power/ pleasure.
And let's not forget that she must negotiate her sexuality in our rape culture, just as any woman must on a daily basis. However, in tackling sexual assault with her Man Down video, Rihanna allowed herself to be very vulnerable. Perhaps her most vulnerable since her Rated R work. Being a survivor of domestic violence, she knows all too well how the victim is persecuted while the perpetrator's actions are justified: "she gave him herpes, she's a devil worshiper, she's a bitch & that is why CB's actions were ok." Sadly, part of the reason Chris Brown was crucified by the largely white media is because he's a black male. His white counterparts have not been vilified in the same way for being violent with their partners & they continue their careers without so much a blemish. Of course, Rihanna's celebrity plays equally into this but much of the hate she gets is a backlash for publicly surviving that abuse & coming out stronger than ever.
Anyway, with Man Down, she showed the world that it does NOT matter what a woman is doing, how she is dressed, who she is with, NOBODY ASKS TO BE RAPED! NOBODY (Woman, man, transwoman, transman or however you identify) NOBODY WELCOMES RAPE! And this was beautifully conveyed throughout the video as she is shown embracing her beauty, her sexuality & just enjoying herself. This narrative is hauntingly too common in this rape culture. A woman's way of dress is used to justify rape & again Rihanna changes up the power dynamics when she kills her attacker. It wasn't about whether it was right or wrong, because murder is never "right" but if that was an appropriate response to the frustration, guilt, humiliation a victim of sexual violence feels after they are violated. B/c they are violated over & over again by victim-blaming mentality in the justice systems, in our day-to-day lives. So, Rihanna offers an interesting perspective on how one woman deals with something 1 in 5 women will experience in their lifetime.
So, how do you respond to people who call Rihanna a slut? Well, you can either tell them to fuck off, or not engage with them at all, because they are clearly sexist, misogynist sheep or won't even hear you either way. Those people will hate any woman who makes any reference to her sexualized body unless her name is Lady Gafa. Let's face it, we are all sexual beings, & Rihanna is so unabashed in her sexuality, she's got both men & woman red in the face.
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
TalkThatTalk, I apologize for writing a novel, haha, but I got carried away with the analysis of Rihanna. The brilliance in Rihanna's brand when it comes to overturning the sexism women face (in her case racialized sexism) & empowering herself & other women to OWN their sexuality makes me wonder, maybe we should take back the word SLUT. If we embrace the word, we disarm those engaging in slut shaming & we take away the power behind the insult. There is nothing wrong with my, yours, her female sexuality, & if being proud of it makes Rihanna a slut, then i'm sure she would gladly take on that label. I would too. Ain't nothing wrong with a young woman confident with her body especially since society tells us everyday that we should be ashamed. Seriously, Rihanna is more than just a pop star, she's become an important figure in female sexual liberation for girls born in the late 80's and afterwards. Like Janet Jackson & Madonna before her, Rihanna doesn't really give a fuck!
**Awesome question, btw, hope you can find an adequate answer in my dissertation, haha!**
Cheers!
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 12:42 pm
I Co-sign you Fayana416! she is the only female in the music bizz who keeps it real and not afraid about expressing her sexuality. I love that about her and other people feel threaten by this powerful beauty
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 1:23 pm
I agree! People are very much threatened by her overt display of sexuality. Sometimes, her confidence & self-awareness transcends her age. It's hard to believe she's only 24 (just about) and is making the whole world panic with her boundary breaking! I honestly love this woman. Like i said before, she is so much more than just your typical pop star, but at the end of the day, she is HUMAN. She doesn't try to be anything but. Rihanna is the most down to earth chick in the game. Are we really crying that she doesn't pretend to be miss-goodie-goodie? FUCK OUT, man!!!
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 1:36 pm
Yea lets just hope that trolls dont stop her from doing what she likes to do and be the real her. She is indeed strong.
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 1:54 pm
Our girl loves basketball. I love Rih just the way she is right now.I love how she is not afraid to push the envelop when it comes to her career and personal life. If she was a goodie goodie I would not like her as much as I do. I like how she changed her career with chopping her hair off and dying it black in 07.
I admire Rih because she was resillient in 09 and I adore her courage for dealing with things the way she did. I admire her because she did not want people to feel sorry for her. The one thing is she is so strong. I feel she has went through so much hate.
I believe what does not kill you makes you stronger. I believe Rih deep down is both tough and sensitive at the same time. Rih is a camilion she can be anything she wants to be.
Comment by mdd — January 27, 2012 @ 2:27 pm
That's right get that drink on. Rihanna at the Clippers's game trying to get one of the players. But that player has a woman and she has class. That big yellow dude don't want a lost soul like Rihanna
Comment by wendy — January 27, 2012 @ 3:45 pm
If Rihanna doesn't want to be talked about (good or bad), then she will have to remove herself from the public eye. Writing paragraph after paragraph about how Rihanna doesn't give a fuck will not stop people from commenting about her. Rihanna obviously cares what people say, or she wouldn't be blasting people on twitter. You are being foolish if you think people are going to stop commenting, just because you're frustrated.
Comment by Island girl 35 — January 27, 2012 @ 4:40 pm
You are so full of a shit…go wash your rotten mouth bitch
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 4:43 pm
Good im glad she Blasts them motherfuckers. "Go head talk shit ,its all on the paper"…Glad she is standing up for her self
Comment by Rih4life — January 27, 2012 @ 4:46 pm
Actually, my initial comment was about the expectation people have for Rihanna to act according to their moral standards. Everything else you described as "paragraph after paragraph" discussed a specific question another member asked me regarding Rihanna's sexuality & her slut-shaming in the media as well as on blogs. I wouldn't expect someone to read it all, but a little skim through would have informed you of that.
While I am definitely annoyed at the recent comments on these sites, I don't expect anyone to stop commenting b/c I vehemently disagree. I stated that as the reason why I haven't checked Rihanna Daily recently. I'm a very sensible person, but when I see bullshit, I have to call it out.
"If Rihanna doesn't want to be talked about (good or bad), then she will have to remove herself from the public eye. Writing paragraph after paragraph about how Rihanna doesn't give a fuck will not stop people from commenting about her. Rihanna obviously cares what people say, or she wouldn't be blasting people on twitter."
Now that is just lazy. I'm sure Rihanna is aware of the implications of being a public figure. I think she's handling it fairly well considering the amount of negativity she receives. Twitter is but entertainment for her. However, that doesn't negate the fact that tabloid culture is dysfunctional & what I specifically addressed is the entitlement some people display when she does something they don't agree with: "Oh noes, how could she?! like ohmygooood! She's a drug addict, blah blah, blah" just because they see a set of photos taken of her going about her business, they feel they have a personal understanding of her life. That annoys ME (I can't read Rihanna's mind) & thus I reacted accordingly. Your assumption that I believe everyone should stop commenting is cute though. Just because I feel some folks need to shut the fuck up with their nonsense doesn't mean I expect them to. ;) My way of dealing with shit I don't want to hear…I generally just stay away from it.
"I've been avoiding this site for the past couple of weeks simply because this is no longer a place to support Rihanna. It's totally been hijacked. "
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
I am glad to see Riri is having fun on her much needed downtime. I hope she is sleeping better now that she is home. She looks good too.
Comment by alison — January 27, 2012 @ 6:11 pm
I like the Hype Means nothing t shirt, when will they make one with rihanna's face? I would so buy it.
Comment by lilly — January 27, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
I can't believe you actually took time outta your life to type this :/ no one even said anything about rihanna on the post. Smh I think everyone should just mind their business concerning rihanna. She's here to make music no one should talk about her personal life good or bad. Btw i hope she coming to ny to promote the album!!
Comment by Mimi — January 27, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
whoa there. see what im talking about. There's always so much negativity on here. Im tired of seeing shit like this. Youre calling someone else a bitch yet you hate it when other ppl call rihanna one. Smh so hypocritical. Rise above it. And infact i think rihanna does have a crush on Blake griffin.
Comment by Mimi — January 27, 2012 @ 9:51 pm
Yes, Mimi, I did take the time to write this.
And since you've decided to engage with me, let's keep it real. We all know every post about Rihanna at a basketball game is full of vitriol, so I'm not sure why you're surprised that I've addressed it.
"no one even said anything about rihanna on the post."
Um, yes, I believe someone DID say something along the lines of "stop drinking, smoking, getting tattoos…" It was among the first ten responses. Also, the past couple of weeks have shown the most vicious attacks of Rihanna I've seen on this site, and having had enough of it, I decided to post here before it got nasty. You can shake your head all you want ;)
"She's here to make music no one should talk about her personal life good or bad."
Hmm, interesting… I hope you grace us with this viewpoint the next time people are being vile in their attacks on Rihanna.
And if it makes any difference to you, I was advocating that Rihanna should be able to do whatever she pleases in her personal life & that it isn't the place of folks to dictate how she acts.
In fact, I said this:
"All I know is that I enjoy her music & she continues to make good music, so she's doing her damn job. I don't recall her ever signing up to be a Good Will Ambassador or some other political figure of "respectability". So, in that case, she owes you absolutely nothing during her free time."
My opinion is not much different from yours.
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 11:36 pm
effin' essays. who spends time to read them. lol. don't waste your time. 4real. this' a fastfood fansite.
Comment by bad habit — January 27, 2012 @ 11:49 pm
LMAO!!
Well, I'll remember to keep it short next time. :p
Comment by Fayana416 — January 27, 2012 @ 11:55 pm
Fayana dont let trolls stop you from expressing your feelings through writing even if its an eassy. Torlls cant handle the truth so they attack with their favorite vile words " she is a slut, She cant sing, she is a weed head" with out even stating the facts why they dislike her. Do your damn thing girl.
Comment by Rih4life — January 28, 2012 @ 1:24 pm
@Fayana416 YES PREACH GIRL!
Comment by ririnavyofficer — January 28, 2012 @ 2:17 pm
Thanks, boo! I will <3
Comment by Fayana416 — January 28, 2012 @ 2:45 pm
ITS WEIRD BECAUSE THE TATOO MAKER SAID THAT SHE DID THE THUG LIFE TATOO BUT IN THE END IT WAS FAKE MAYBE THE REAL ONE IS ON HER BACK BECAUSE I SAW A PICTURE OF HER DOING A NEW ONE ON HER BACK?!
Comment by vik — January 28, 2012 @ 3:36 pm
Firstly, Island girl and Mimi- you both don’t seem too bright.
Fayana, so so enjoyed your posts. May not agree with you on all points but anyone who articulates themselves so beautifully has my attention. You should consider having a blog, if you do not already.
Comment by ME_AGAIN — January 28, 2012 @ 6:36 pm