Watching the 2012 Grammys as Chris Brown attempts to dance his way back into the hearts of the public and his fans; and it seems he has done it. He was won over his colleagues, his advertisers, his label and the academy – he has been welcomed back with loving Grammy arms. But I wonder how victims of domestic violence feel about him prancing across the stage?  I am really torn because I’d like to think people can change and I do think people deserve a second chance but why are we so quick to forgive and turn the other cheek when it’s a celebrity that commits such heinous acts?

I have no inside scoop with how Chris Brown lives his life currently; whether he has rehabilitated himself, has any remorse for what happened or how he and Rhianna have to come to terms with what happened that night three years ago.  Concerning myself with those questions is not my place.  But what is my concern is the kind of  message it says to victims of abuse that Chris Brown be featured so prominently in this years Grammy show after his public display of violence against another human being for all of us to witness.

In my humble opinion, it’s a slap in the face. Pun intended.

The message it sends is one of “no big deal” – beat a woman up, wait it out a few years and then get a few solos on the biggest award show on TV.  I am pissed about this.  Am I the only one?  I am angry for the double standard and the blaze’ attitude “Hollywood” takes toward such unthinkable acts as violence against women.  Nobody publicly stood up to him – well maybe Usher did (when he called him out for jet skiing in Miami shortly after the incident) but then he retracted his comment after he encountered some public backlash.   For an industry that uses their voice to share their emotion, why were they all so silent?

Celebs have an opportunity to impact so many people on such a grand scheme, good and bad.  They were given an opportunity to stand up to a batterer in their own industry; it would and could have been a huge step towards giving victims a voice, giving them their honor and integrity back.  And yet there was silence.  There are so many missed opportunities for teaching moments, it truly saddens me.

And as I watched the comments fly on Twitter tonight, as young women commented “that they would let Chris Brown beat the crap out them anytime” … my heart sank a little more.   How does this happen?

We glorify violence; we accept it, we forgive it and we give it awards.   When we will stop and give it proper attention, that empowers and protects women and tells them, “domestic violence is never OK.”

I had my own silent protest tonight each time Chris Brown strolled across the stage … but my silence is over now.  We owe it to each other to get loud and stay loud.   I’m using my voice and share my emotion.