The good idea: Trying to raise awareness about domestic violence among young people.

 

The bad idea: 

Props to Issa Rae.

 

DoSomething.org is apparently not concerned with the opinions of 24-year-old geezers like myself, but I think I’m still young enough to know that this video is missing the mark. By a lot.

 

Their reenactment is based solely on a police report that hasn’t been corroborated, so the events may or may not have unfolded in the manner depicted. This bothers me. I’m also bothered that they chose white (and to be honest, doofy-looking) actors in the reenactment. As if making the victims of abuse white somehow makes the crime seem more universal or mainstream than minority characters would, when in reality domestic abuse effects all communities.

 

And then there are the bracelets. I won’t knock kids for wanting to show their support for an issue, but just the other day I happened to see a guy walking around with a yellow LiveStrong bracelet on. I felt like I was in a time warp. Remember when everyone and their moms were wearing them? Not sure where all those yellow bands are now, but I know at the height of the wristband craze plenty of folks wearing them had no idea what they stood for. From an awareness-building standpoint I’m just not sure how effective they are.

 

The video also highlights the problem with trying to extrapolate one couple’s experiences to teach a lesson to the masses. I myself have been tempted to use the whole Chris Brown and Rihanna situation to highlight the seriousness of abuse to others but it doesn’t work. They are two real people, not graphs or charts. Drawing too heavily on their experience (or what we know of it) to teach others often comes off as sleazy, even when the intentions are admirable. 

 

But again, the idea was great. The execution, not so much.

Tags: Chris Brown, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Violence, DoSomething.org, LiveStrong, Rihanna