Were you as excited as we were when the Grammys decided to make such a powerful statement against domestic violence? Beginning with a pre-taped message from President Obama, the segment became especially stirring as domestic violence survivor Brooke Axtell gave a resounding speech recounting her experiences and subsequent clarity. Katy Perry closed out this serious turn in the evening with a performance of her ballad “By the Grace of God.” And while many reacted positively to the message itself, there was also a considerable amount of blowback.
After all, this is the same award show that nominated two artists associated with acts of domestic violence. R. Kelly, nominated for Best R&B Performance, did not attend the telecast but the simple fact that a man accused of numerous counts of sexual misconduct in the early 2000s was recognized outraged many viewers. Not to mention that Chris Brown, who was up for three awards and is perhaps best known for his pre-Grammys altercation with ex-girlfriend Rihanna, was in attendance.
Domestic violence is a topic that has dominated the news recently, with more celebrities and public figures being caught in scuffles or accused of inappropriate behavior. So it’s not incredibly surprising that a major award show took the opportunity to speak out against the ever-growing issue. If you’ve been following along this award season, every ceremony from the Golden Globes to the SAG Awards has been filled with statement-making moments. Racial injustice, freedom of speech, and other hot-button issues have flooded the chatter. While we’re glad that these troubling problems are being addressed on a larger scale with formidable platforms, we can’t help but side with those who find it hypocritical to honor those very artists who perpetrate the acts they’re denouncing.
Or maybe you’re in the camp that says we should separate celebs’ personal lives from their craft. Is it really up to the Grammys to deny nominations to stars who often find themselves in trouble even if their work is worthy of recognition? We’re split on this side of the issue, but we do find it outlandish for an award show to blatantly condemn a subject as troubling and in need of awareness as domestic violence while nominating artists who have been caught in its midst in the past.
Do you think the Grammys were sending mixed messages by nominating these artists while supposedly speaking out against domestic violence?