It’s Ty!

So I’m sure most (if not all) of you have heard Eminem and Rihanna’s new song “Love the Way You Lie”. If you haven’t heard the popular song yet, you’re bound to hear it soon. Now don’t get me wrong; it’s a very catchy song and I usually find myself turning it up when it comes on the radio, but I recently read an article on the Children’s Hospital Boston’s “Thrive” blog that may have changed my mind for good.

I never really took the time to listen to and analyze the lyrics, but as I sat and read the article, I realized that this song may be glorifying violence and domestic abuse.

Take a look at the lyrics to the chorus (sung by Rihanna):
Just gonna’ stand there and watch me burn,
But that’s alright because I like the way it hurts.
Just gonna’ stand there and hear me cry,
But that’s alright because I love the way you lie, love the way you lie.

Is it just me or is this chorus a little sketchy, especially coming from Rihanna, who has been a victim of domestic abuse in the past. However, that’s not even the half of it – take a look at Eminem’s verse:
I apologize even though I know it’s lies,
I’m tired of the games I just want her back,
I know I’m a liar if she ever tries to f**kin’ leave again,
I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.

What really disappoints me the most about this is the fact that Rihanna has so much power because of her popularity. After the incident with Chris Brown, she could have easily become an advocate for domestic abuse prevention, but instead she puts out a song that seems to condone it. I also stumbled across a group on Facebook the other day called “If Rihanna liked the way it hurt then she should’ve stayed with Chris Brown”.

At first I laughed it off, but then it got me thinking. Teens are perceptive, and many may look up to Rihanna as a role model. There are already a percentage who think that the abuse was Rihanna’s fault (not Chris Brown’s), and I have to say that this song doesn’t help things. I also have to say that Eminem’s verse doesn’t really surprise me (seeing as how his lyrics have been very violent in the past) and his verse isn’t acceptable either. The sad truth is that teens are being fed negative messages by people who are looked up to as role models. I would just like to encourage everybody to use their own mind, think about these serious issues, and talk to others who think that domestic violence is acceptable.

-Ty