Rihanna
Recently, the Parents Television Council, Enough is Enough campaign and Think Tank Industry Ears, attacked the music video for Rihanna’s single “Man Down” and called it act of calculated murder that will encourage young women to turn to violence. But Rihanna says the footage of her murdering a man who appears to have sexually assaulted her a day before is a message of empowerment for girls.
Rihanna, who was the victim of a violent 2009 physical attack by then boyfriend singer Chris Brown, told BET “Man Down” addresses the topic of rape.
“Rape is happening all over the world and we continue to cover it up and pretend it doesn’t happen,” Rihanna said as she spoke to Terrance J and Rocsi of 106 & Park. “Girls are empowered by this … I’m just really impressed that my fans get it,” she said. “That was really important to me. This is a story for them.”
She also told BET, which drew criticism itself for airing the video, that the girl she depicts is “not a cold-blooded killer” and she shows remorse about the killing.
“I didn’t do it to make a controversial video,” Rihanna said. “I wanted to make a mini-movie, something raw and artistic.”
Click here to see Rihanna’s full statement addressing the video with BET.
See the video for “Man Down” below :
