Comments on: Why Is Rihanna Expected to be a Feminist Icon?

By: University Sex Columns, Reviewed: Unexpected Butt Boner Edition - The Sexist - Washington City Paper

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:36:28 +0000

[...] too, have expressed discomfort with the idea that Rihanna’s “recovery” from her abusive relationship must arrive [...]

By: Sonso

Sonso — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:52:09 +0000

White?..lolyeahright.Look at her big nasty features. Yuck.. Hopefully she lightens up some more, deter people from focusing on her horrible voice.

By: Lotte

Lotte — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:50:42 +0000

I guess I must be the only person who thoroughly enjoyed the vocals, which are fabulous. I listened to this song and I personally heard an account of the loss of control and irrational thoughts and behaviour that a victim of domestic abuse can find themselves coerced into. I didn't hear anything about "suicide" as some other critics seem to be imagining, I don't hear anything that condones, encourages or embraces the situation being conjured. She's terrified but somehow she doesn't have the power to leave, "he" is coercing her to take a risk with her own life (by letting herself remain in this situation) because she is worth so little, "he" has never lost as he's clearly done this to other women before. Either it's simply commentary on how powerless and worthless a domestic abuser can make his victim feel. Or it's none of those things and it's just a song.

By: The Week’s Most Popular Blog Posts: Rihanna, Happy Hookers, and “No Homo” Edition - The Sexist - Washington City Paper

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:56:17 +0000

[...] out prostituting themselves for a living. And we wish “No Homo” would just go away: 1. Why Is Rihanna Expected to Be a Feminist Icon?, or, according to commenter Genesis, “FEMINIST ICON MY [...]

By: kza

kza — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:54:30 +0000

Reading these comments has dropped my i.q.

By: rone

rone — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:04:59 +0000

I don't think people are really paying attention to the song. In order to get over something, you have to go through it first. The song obviously depicts a woman in the process of being abused who has yet to overcome it. However,that doesn't mean that rihanna hasn't arose from the incident. It means that she wanted to convey the actual emotions of being in an abusive relationships, rather than take the cliche route & talk about how she's already overcome it. I'm sure she has more songs on the album where she actually discusses her state now. Russian roulette is just one song off of an albums worth of emotion.

By: tris

tris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:02:30 +0000

i agree marie.. this song was written or made for children. and i absolutely respect rihanna for not speaking out about it. she doesnt have to.. i like the fact that she's private. she didnt ask to be a feminist leader and she doesnt have to be. her true fans love her no matter what. and pc. the song is a metaphore. she isnt talking about shooting herself like other people mentioned. she's talking about making choices in life. maybe about a relationship or other things.
i also like the fact that she did not put out a club song.. because EVERYBODY is putting out lub songs these days and they all sound the same.rihanna has always been different and i appreciate that. and thats y i am her fan.

By: yung

yung — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:31:22 +0000

the song promotes violence to a person who was the victim of violence. contradictory no?? please this demon has a gun tattoo'd to the left of her breast. she lost it. she's going to pull a britney any day now. she wants to be w/ chris but she's forbidden so she's rebelling - she'd rather shoot her self dead then to be without him. read between the lines. remember right after the "incident" her & chris was seen vacationing in mexico then they spent some R&R at Sean Combs home in Florida. She was with him AFTER the incident. It was not until she receive the public backlash that she left him alone. she then sent him those naked pictures that she leaked over the internet. she wanted him to know that she loved him & misses him. this chick is about to explode in 5.4.3.2............

By: PrincessJ

PrincessJ — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:29:19 +0000

You mini-minded ppl make me sick. WHY would anyone assume she has to be making music that is in defense to anything violent? She isn't trying to be "the voice" of any particular group of women because she's simply not in their category & it doesn't make sense for others to place her in one. Leave her alone. If you don't agree with her actions or music, get a life of your own & find a different celeb to subliminally hate.

By: Mariah

Mariah — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:02:59 +0000

This new song sucks, and im starting not to be a fan anymore :/

By: Macy

Macy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:27:54 +0000

Have you thought for one moment that Rihanna may not want to be your poster girl for domestic violence... maybe there is something else that is keeping her from speaking out... In 2007, Complex Magazine did a interview with her, she quoted in that interview that she had in her own words... " hit my brother in the face with a bottle" when aske how did her parents react to the ASSUALT, she replied, " my mother was upset" also in the same interview she was her and her brothers didn't just fight" they physically fought" again maybe there is a reason she won't speak out... Abuse is wrong,it doesn't matter if you are a man hitting woman, woman hitting man, man hitting child, woman hitting child, or children abusing other children it's wrong!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:21:54 +0000

Seems to me that Rihanna has gotten on with her life and is putting out music again. How on earth you can get any message about domestic violence from the lyrics of this song is beyond me. Seems like the only person who hasnt gotten over what happened is you!. Move on. If you dont like the song dont buy it, dont listen. Rihanna has NEVER commented in any way about what happened, not a word and not to anyone. And dont pretend to think that she ever will, because she never will. Get over it. Let's see what te album's like, see how well it sells. The one thing she can thank you for is keeping her name out there. EVeryone will buy it even if they hate it, just so they can say they did. And belive me, thats the only thing her "Handlers" care about.. CD's in the Rack and Songs on your Ipod!!!

By: Over you

Over you — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:15:38 +0000

Why don't you dykes find another pop star to bully into pushing the white womans agenda. Rihanna marches to her own beat!!

By: Lyia

Lyia — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:04:42 +0000

Rihanna WILL NEVER be a feminist. All the people looking for her to throw 'Him" under the bus or even talk about leaving or overcoming. It will NEVER happen. She still wears and rocks her birthday gifts from him everyday for the past 9 months. If you guys didn't get the picture you will never get it. Live your own life and stay out of others.

By: Genesis

Genesis — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:58:56 +0000

FEMINIST ICON MY ASS.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:39:45 +0000

I am honestly very sadened that people are that stupid to not look a lil deeper into today's music. How anyone know what Russian Roulette means? She saying that living in abusive relationship is like playing the Russian Roulette, its all up to chance and if you dont get lucky you die, JUST like in an abusive relationship. How does no one catch that? And how the hell is she embracing abusive and being terrorized?? That makes no sense, she is simply saying that being abused is like playin the game, you can die next time he (gun, as the metaphor) strikes. I think its a perfect single considering what shes been through, shes not talking about overcoming the abuse (maybe she still hasnt) but shes talking about what its like. God people are so stupid, no one THINKS anymore! This song has nothing to so with suicide (like others reviews have said) or her "embracing being terrorized) JUST LIKE Britney Spears's "If U Seek Amy" has NOTHING to do with sex, but God forbid people listen and actually try to look beyond the surface.

By: barbarita1974

barbarita1974 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:21:41 +0000

yes she looks too white why is it that black beautiful girls want to be white?

By: BE-Z

BE-Z — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:08:58 +0000

MiMi... The Album is Titled RATED R.. for starters.. and parent who would buy it for their children based on the title alone is a Jackass.. Secondly, SHE didn't co-write the song at ALL. (Both Rihanna AND Ne-yo said it themselves.. via twitter.) THIRD, If you don't like it, Don't Listen!!!! There are PLENTY Songs that talk about drugs, violence, and Killing.. in ALL Genres.. And you don't see children going around with Needles. AN ENTERTAINER IS Supposed to Entertain.. Cause Controversy...

LET HER BE WHO SHE IS, And Not what SOCIETY Wants her to be...

RIHANNA Is a GROWN WOMAN!!! Not a Teenage Child Star... LOTS of her songs aren't for Children... (Shut up and drive??? Rehab??)

NO ONE'S CHILDREN SHOULD BE LISTENING TO HER IN THE FIRST PLACE...

Thank YOU Marie Renee!! There IS RADIO DISNEY for that.

Btw... I Love her single.

By: Magnetic Crow

Magnetic Crow — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:23 +0000

I am always baffled by the people who don't bother to read or process an entire article before responding to it. IN A VERY!!! ANGRY FASHION...!!!!!

By: Perez Hilton: Rihanna’s new single … | Perez Hilton On Twitter

Perez Hilton: Rihanna’s new single … | Perez Hilton On Twitter — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:41:18 +0000

[...] Rihanna’s new single comes under more attack http://bit.ly/37xVPY [...]

By: Yas

Yas — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:20:02 +0000

Feminist, lol, Rihanna? Hardly. I agree with this article, there is no proof from Rihanna's past interviews/performances that she is that person they want her to be.

By: rick von tease

rick von tease — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:56:24 +0000

They should leave rihanna alone she's a great singer, let her express her self, she is showing women that she can be strong and move forward, if you don't want your kids to litsen to it then do your jobs as parents and monitor them.

By: Marie renee!

Marie renee! — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:22:34 +0000

and who said it was for little kids to listen???
or to sing along????? in the car?????
us older people do like it. and if you dont dont turn it up or even listen to it.atleast she has a career that we support..... we like it... i mean LOVE IT! their are other popstars that have nasty and sublimiminal messages. and yet. you're judging Rihanna??? who cares about your OPINOIN!
just let them sing. you dont have to turn up the volume. Hey F.Y.I theirs a radio station called
RADIO DISNEY!!!! in the A.M station. thank you! check that SH*T out!

By: Marsh

Marsh — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:48:52 +0000

FIRSt & foremost the song was produced extremely well and her vocals are better than ever on the track. What first need 2 be realized is that the song itself is a metaphor and she has never proclaimed any title as a feminist or anything else and what does lady gaga have to do with anything when she hung herself with blood at the vma's i dont remeber this ever being a huge topic...

By: Mattersmost

Mattersmost — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:29:20 +0000

The song will grow on people. And no she does not write her songs however it is a touchy subject when you start accusing a battered woman to stand up and speak out. However she is a celebrity and she has an obligation to her fans to say something besides the types of designers and shoes she likes to wear. The silent pop star days are over images are appealing but we want more we want leaders creative individuals. Rhianna is not that and so far everyone has been ok with it but now she's back in the spotlight and maybe people are starting to see her for the star she really is.... Her light may not be shining as bright but that's her choice and she is not choosing wisely.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:27:55 +0000

Wow, at least she IS starting her career again and not letting the effect hide her. Rihanna has a new edgy style, and thats just what her song is. Dont like it, dont listen...

Ever thought of that?

By: kza

kza — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:22:46 +0000

Good job at reading.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:13:08 +0000

To Drew: she co-wrote this song with Ne-Yo. Anyone who thinks this song isn't about her life is obviously clueless. To the author of this article: thank you. From the bottom of my heart I want to hug and squeeze every person who takes a stand agasint this song. I don't want to listen to anyone singing about embracing an abusive relationship (which is what I gathered form the lyrics also) on the radio. It makes me sad, mad, and disgusted to even think there are people out there who are going to promote this crap.

By: kza

kza — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:12:22 +0000

I think whores have sex for money.

By: Former Staffer

Former Staffer — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:43:55 +0000

She's a pop star, which is a type of whore by it's very nature. Appeal to as many as possible via the lowest common denominator, sexualize, and sell. Repeat.

By: Erica A

Erica A — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:28:45 +0000

Is it just me/my monitor, or does Rihanna look exceptionally white in that picture?

Interesting commentary. Thanks.

By: Stevek

Stevek — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:18:36 +0000

"Run This Town," the Jay-Z song on which she appears, is getting played on WPGC and WKYS every 20 minutes it seems. Maybe you should discuss that also?

By: kza

kza — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:11:24 +0000

I agree. She's a pop star not Bob Dylan. If she has a message fine, because the world always need more celebrity opinions. And if she doesn't? Good for her, she keeps her private life private. Get mad at the song writers not her.

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:04:09 +0000

It's not like she writes her own songs (I don't know where to look for writing credits on this latest single, but most of her past hits don't include her as a writer). Why would anyone expect the lyrics to reflect or have anything to do with her or her personal situation in the first place? A lot of prospective pop songs are written up in batches before they are even assigned to a singer.