Comments on: Rihanna, “Russian Roulette,” and distortions of dating violence http://genderacrossborders.com/2009/11/10/rihanna-russian-roulette-and-distortions-of-dating-violence/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:47:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Layman's Terms http://genderacrossborders.com/2009/11/10/rihanna-russian-roulette-and-distortions-of-dating-violence/#comment-1469 Layman's Terms Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:49 +0000 http://genderacrossborders.com/?p=4794#comment-1469 Thank you Stephanie ...lol go to google and check out "russian roulette the week" and you'll understand why I'm thanking you. P.S.- I commented under the name "Pay Attention" and I used my last paragraph from my 1st comment. Thank you Stephanie
…lol
go to google and check out “russian roulette the week”
and you’ll understand why I’m thanking you.

P.S.- I commented under the name “Pay Attention” and I used my last paragraph from my 1st comment.

]]> By: Stephanie http://genderacrossborders.com/2009/11/10/rihanna-russian-roulette-and-distortions-of-dating-violence/#comment-1457 Stephanie Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:38:40 +0000 http://genderacrossborders.com/?p=4794#comment-1457 I completely agree with the comment "Layman's Terms". If you are to lazy to decode the message, or if you cant understand the meaning of the song period then maybe you are not old enough or mature enough to be listening to it. Therefore, you cannot pass judgement on what you are not capable of understanding. Hate it or love it, she was professional, we must give her the credit she deserves! I completely agree with the comment “Layman’s Terms”. If you are to lazy to decode the message, or if you cant understand the meaning of the song period then maybe you are not old enough or mature enough to be listening to it. Therefore, you cannot pass judgement on what you are not capable of understanding.

Hate it or love it, she was professional, we must give her the credit she deserves!

]]> By: Layman's Terms http://genderacrossborders.com/2009/11/10/rihanna-russian-roulette-and-distortions-of-dating-violence/#comment-1381 Layman's Terms Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:16:32 +0000 http://genderacrossborders.com/?p=4794#comment-1381 "Critics ... have called “Russian Roulette” disappointing because it fails to send such a cut-and-dry message about picking up and moving on." This is the laziest opinion by a critic I have ever heard...lol. Who are these critics? They have to think a little bit about the song's meaning and all the sudden it's too complicated...This song wasn't made for 5 year olds that need "cut and dry" messages. We are adults and this song was perfect for the intended audience. Further, how do you make a cut and dry -I'm leaving someone because they beat me- song? People would be much more disturbed by "He bit me, he hit me" than what Russian Roulette's metaphoric melody brings to the table. And to make some upbeat "Revenge ballad" would be the tackiest response to her situation in the world. She isn't Eminem. This song is heart felt and real. It perfectly relates the honest emotions and feelings that she had during her relationship. You hit the nail on the head when you said "(This song)speaks more honestly to the complexities of abuse." Finally, I disagree with the comment "It’s hard to tell if her artistic choices are meant to express her true pain or to try to capitalize on it. Or both." She isn't making her situation into a new business plan. That would be distasteful and obvious. However, if she didn't address her situation see would be seen as fake. Self Expression...Does not mean acceptance or approval by the audience. Rihanna did her part as an artist. She encoded her thoughts and emotions...masterfully. If the audience can not decode the message accurately, the miscommunication is not her fault. “Critics … have called “Russian Roulette” disappointing because it fails to send such a cut-and-dry message about picking up and moving on.”
This is the laziest opinion by a critic I have ever heard…lol. Who are these critics? They have to think a little bit about the song’s meaning and all the sudden it’s too complicated…This song wasn’t made for 5 year olds that need “cut and dry” messages. We are adults and this song was perfect for the intended audience. Further, how do you make a cut and dry -I’m leaving someone because they beat me- song? People would be much more disturbed by “He bit me, he hit me” than what Russian Roulette’s metaphoric melody brings to the table.

And to make some upbeat “Revenge ballad” would be the tackiest response to her situation in the world. She isn’t Eminem. This song is heart felt and real. It perfectly relates the honest emotions and feelings that she had during her relationship. You hit the nail on the head when you said “(This song)speaks more honestly to the complexities of abuse.”

Finally, I disagree with the comment “It’s hard to tell if her artistic choices are meant to express her true pain or to try to capitalize on it. Or both.” She isn’t making her situation into a new business plan. That would be distasteful and obvious. However, if she didn’t address her situation see would be seen as fake.

Self Expression…Does not mean acceptance or approval by the audience. Rihanna did her part as an artist. She encoded her thoughts and emotions…masterfully. If the audience can not decode the message accurately, the miscommunication is not her fault.

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