Jessica Alba on Rihanna, Chris Brown allegations: 'universal problem'
"The Vagina Monologues" creator Eve Ensler's annual V-Day luncheon in Los Angeles was focused on violence toward women in the Congo.
But Jessica Alba and Kerry Washington, two celeb supporters of the international organization that has -- since 1998 -- raised more than $60 million to stop global violence against women, also spoke about the recent Hollywood drama about Rihanna's alleged assault by boyfriend Chris Brown.
"When things happen publicly, it just makes it a more universal problem that more people can relate to," Jessica Alba told the Associated Press.
"Whether it's about the Congo or about celebrities, domestic violence is a social illness that does not discriminate," Kerry Washington told the Dish Rag. "We have to start talking more openly about this."
Eve referred to Rihanna's alleged assault and the shooting deaths of three members of Jennifer Hudson's family last year, telling the audience, "All these women are our sisters."
We spoke to Eve about the large number of reader comments on the Dish Rag blog implying that Rihanna may have been to blame for the alleged attack.
Are there socio-economic or racial divides regarding acceptable violence against women?
"I don't believe it's a cultural thing," Ensler said. "In every community in the world, one out of three women are beaten or raped. I've seen justification for it in every community in the world. The climate will exist until we shift the mindset of violence against women being unacceptable and not normal. We are still living in a world where the victim -- the woman -- is blamed. It's not a cultural thing. Violence against women keeps patriarchy and its oppression and domination in its place. It keeps a structure where men and women can't live in their full selves. It's in every social strata and in every section of society."
Maria Shriver told all the luncheon guests, including Maria Bello, Charlize Theron, Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway, Rosario Dawson, Glamour magazine's Cindi Leive, ex-Paramount head Sherry Lansing and producer Paula Wagner:"Violence goes on in the best of homes and in poor areas -- particularly in times of struggle. Let's all go out and change one boy, man today."
What do you think? Does our culture still tend to blame the victim? Why are so many readers still supporting Chris Brown and so ready to forgive?
Related Chris Brown and Rihanna news:
Chris Brown feels 'bad' about Rihanna
Chris Brown just lost his 'Got Milk?' money
Chris Brown's stepfather 'not surprised' at abuse allegations
Chris Brown loses Wrigley deal, leaves L.A. on private jet
Rihanna allegedly assaulted by Chris Brown
Kanye West 'devastated' by Rihanna assault news
Photo: Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson at the V-Day Lunch at the Four Seasons last week.
Credit: WireImage
Reporting: Leah Sydney
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This is a great story-how interesting-There is a huge problem of violence against women-and it's heartening to see Hollywood women standing up and speaking out. Good for them. Eve Ensler is a warrior-we should all be thankful for her.
I'm glad these women are speaking out and using their celebrity status for a good cause. It's about time this is spoken about.
there is no case where i feel a man should hit a woman. i also don't think it is okay to knowing spread herpies to someone either, yes chris was wrong, but he is also the real victim in this case. bruises will heal, herpies has no cure.
I don't think these issues are cultural. What's the cultural link between Chris Brown, Christian Bale, Neomi Campbell? They've all hit someone. I think the only relevance cultural issues have on the situation is the ability to get out of the relationship. It's more likely for a person with less financial and family/friend support to stay in a situation hoping things get better than if it's a person who can get out with no problems of comfortability. I think Rihanna will be fine, she's a great lady with much success,youth and beauty, and a whole lot of support, so in my opinion I don't see her as one taking insecurity from this. Chris needs anger management counseling and not just talking to his mother or pastor. Because he hit her doesn't mean he's a horrible person, or that at the moment he "really didn't love her" but that he needs help. What would make him horrible would be to feel like he doesn't need any help and just "won't do it anymore". And if she's the one who may have thrown the first strike, then she too needs help, because it's not okay for anyone to hit anyone, man or lady. It's just easier for society to look down on a man for hitting a woman and not for a woman hitting a man nor a woman hitting another woman. She's a performer, in great shape, I'm sure anybody she pops it's going to hurt. And if that is the case they both need anger management. Hopefully though, she'll go her way and he'll go his with the help they need.
I dare Rihanna to listen to an old lady who is amazed at her beauty - and who believes that she has the unique opportunity to change the world - single-handedly. I dare her to listen to a universal truth about the basic differences beteen male and female - to claim her power as a woman.
You guys are doing such a wonderful job keep it up, hopefully this will be achieved with the help of men and women around the globe.
But while at this please lets not forget to educate women also, women can be more verbally violent and hence get themselves abused over and over by abusers or even turn good guys into abusers.
Men and women have a part to play in achieving this and as long as we concerntrate only on the men and refuse to see how women can potentially be the problem and need counselling too, we might not achieve much.
everyone just really has to give chris brown a break, i mean uts get over it domestic violence against women happen everyday now all of a sudden when some one famous does it once its a MASSIVE thing. none of us were there so you cant really judge the situation everyonne is giving rihanna sympathy just cos shes a "girl" and all we have heard is that chris brown abused her but there are two sides to every story and everyone makes mistakes. yes rihanna is going through a hard time right now, but what abut chris? could u imagine how he would be feeling probably worse than rihanna cos she has everyone backing her up everyone, even the media, radio stations, fans is against chris brown but i believe that his TRUE fans will stick by him,
I personally think this is a load of bull poo really. This whole Chris Brown/Rihanna business is most likely blown out of proportion, as with everything in show business, if the guy has got the blunt end of the law and lost his relationship with the girl then what's it got to do with anyone else? He did a bad thing, got his comeuppance and thats that, its got nothing to do with his music career. Women pick bad guys and act suprised when they get treated badly, go for a different sort and you might get off better in the relationship, try not to pick a meat head with about as much sense as a chipmunk and a fuse as short as a grenade. I don't excuse bad blokes for being bad, nor am i responsible for them, but if you find rotten fruit in the supermarket you don't pick it up to buy, you go for the decent stuff.
I don't think these to kids lives should be stressed out any further with them being the catalyst to discuss dom. violence. There are no facts out yet.But the one fact that is documented is that Rihanna stated in a "COMPLEX" magazine interview, June,07, that she often fought with two brothers. And not just verbally.And I quote,"I hit the older one in the face with a glass bottle". So even if Chris hit here that night, he may very well have been actually reacting from what he knew of her temperament. Violence against women or MEN is totally unacceptable.
Come on already, just send chris to jail already even if it's only for 6months BUT HE MUST DO SOME KIND OF TIME as a lesson for what he has done. Then we can all move on with our lives