Glamour Shot

My Facebook friend Alisa asks a good question: 

I read in the paper that Rihanna got named "woman of the year" by Glamour magazine. So all you need is to get beaten up by you by your famous boyfriend and that makes you a woman of the year?

Why yes, apparently so.

Although Rihanna is very accomplished for a woman so young, it's a safe bet that she was honoured this year because of the much-discussed pummeling she received from former longtime love Chris Brown.

Note however that she is not the only ''Woman of the Year.'' She's joined by a dozen others, including Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou and Serena Williams. 

Still, Rihanna has a hot new CD coming out, and, on it, she has a look that seems to exploit the publicity she received after being beaten. Bet that's the biggest reason for her landing Glamour's cover.

Glamour: If you could offer a message to the millions of young women who look up to you, what would you tell someone who found herself in a similar situation?

Rihanna: Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight. Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbor know that you fight. It’s one of the things we [women] will hide, because it’s embarrassing. My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.

Glamour: I think that’s a great message. What about your new album? What’s it like?

It is a great message.You can't repeat it often enough.

But do tell us about your album anyway ... and your shoes ... and your hair ...

UPPITY WOMAN DATE: Another take, by Broadsheet's Tracy Clark-Flory.

It's inevitable that every song and video released by Rihanna in the near future will be subject to a critical exegesis. She's been elected the new poster-child for domestic violence and, as such, is expected to deliver the appropriate public service announcement -- but let's not forget that it's her experience. She owns it; not us. As she told Glamour: "Even if people don’t love [the album], I made exactly the piece of art that I wanted to make. It’s super fearless -- which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place."

Comments

[Daniela]

She didn't choose to press any charges, as far as I learned.

What does this wonderful Poster Child teach women?

That men can just get away with it.

[J9]

I think that she deserved the award. She has a powerful message for women and young girls. She did not remain with her abusive boyfriend. She has continued to work in her chosen field. She is proving that she is a strong woman and will not let someone beat her down. Kudos to Rihanna.

[The Stygian and his Shemitish Dogs]

Daniela,

"What does this wonderful Poster Child teach women?

That men can just get away with it."

Therefore the perfect foil for Teddy Kennedy and Bill Klinton?