“As for the Chris Browns of this world: do we boycott? Do we forgive? Do we allow time?”

These are comments by Eric M. and Christopher on the post “If I Work Out to Chris Brown Music, Am I Supporting an Abuser?“

Eric M. said:

“Watching TV, movies, or listening to most any music is supporting not only abuse of single individuals, but far worse, the drug trade which is responsible for countless deaths and wrecked lives (e.g. Amy Winehouse). Not much point in boycotting Chris Brown if one is going to continue to listen to music that supports the global drug trade.”

Christopher said:

“Thanks for the great article Emily—a number of points whirring in my brain kept being addressed nicely. I agree it comes to everyone’s own line in the sand—I’ve been through phases of only buying fair trade clothing, I don’t illegally download music, I sure as anything don’t listen to Chris Brown, but I’m not sure ethics is the only incentive there  .

“I think there’s a big problem with democracy—that big chunk of responsibility that comes with it. People living under regimes can blame oppressors, but when we’re all in charge, we’ve got a lot to live up to. In terms of ethics around sweatshops and carbon footprints—the lack of ignorance that previous generations had shows us all up a bit – no one’s really doing anything. It’s possible we could look back in years and think ‘Did we really participate in that?’ in the same way we look at slave owners now. I think some healthy balance will come, but it will take time.

“As for the Chris Browns of this world—back to that line in the sand. Do we allow time to elapse? Do we boycott? If we live but a creed, do we just forgive? I guess, as with the responsibility as inividuals sharing power in our own tiny chunks, we have to make up our own minds.” 

More Comments of the Day

Read our commenting policy.

Photo credit: Flickr / Iamirlet