Assault is not the Same Thing as Tripping Over a Root: Rihanna Fenty/Chris Brown

The words "stumble" and "trip" used repeatedly by Chris Brown's father, to characterize Brown's behavior, are terribly inappropriate. Rihanna didn't spend a day in the hospital because her boyfriend tripped over her, and I doubt that's how her neck or psyche feels as a result. My concern with this choice of words by Chris's father, is that they paint the physical incident really as negligible. I do, however, agree that the challenge, for Brown, of subduing an opponent the size of Rihanna actually is negligible. If he hopes to avoid "demonizing" himself, he should fight inside his weight classification. The fact is though, in terms of public opinion, this is, fairly, not a fight Chris Brown can win. Brown Sr. talks about his son's fans being "on his side" if they are "true fans," and hopes that they will "not judge" him for a momentary loss of balance. We all lose our balance, constantly, and recover, but if we lash out and cream the girl walking next to us on the sidewalk, and make threats on her life, at the same time, the consequences can be serious.