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@Lionel Morales:

I've interviewed many Latinos (and non-Latinos) who work with domestic violence abusers and survivors, and they all say the same thing: levels of reporting in the Latino community are extraordinarily low, so the "official picture" paints less of a problem than it actually is.

In my own reporting, www.thefreeradical.ca/Love_Hurts_VIBE.pdf I found that very few of the victims of egregious domestic violence reported it to the police or went (or were allowed to go) to the hospital even when they desperately needed care. The women who had the courage to come forward-- Liza Rios (Big Pun's widow), for example-- were ostracized and faced smear campaigns from within their own (in her case Puerto Rican) community.

When I say that it's a much more serious problem than the numbers would indicate, I'm speaking from experience, and I'm trying to clarify that just because the African American numbers are officially the highest, that doesn't mean that they are the only community with a problem. In my opinion, that's not stereotyping. That's being honest about a problem that has frayed families of all backgrounds and won't go away if we pretend it doesn't exist, or if we blame the victim, as has been happening in the Chris Brown/ Rihanna case (for more on that: http://www.illdoctrine.com/2009/02/beyond_chris_brown_and_rihanna.html).

Here's a sad case that has gotten much less attention than Rihanna and Chris Brown (from El Diario today), and illustrates the point that members of the police and military have particularly high rates of domestic violence: Alexis Chaparro, police instructor, murdered his girlfriend in her home. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail yesterday. Another Latina killed by the man she loves. Talking about it isn't the problem.

Thank you, for having a show that discusses this topic. It is very sad indeed. When something happens to a celebrity it does gets the world's attention. In this case. I am very sorry for Rhianna and I hope that she will be strong enough to speak up and make sure we can end domestic violence. I am not surprised to hear that domestic violence it up and with teens. Very sad to learn this. I gave up mostly on music except for classical when I came back after living Europe in the late 80's I didn't find it tasteful anymore. I look forward to a time when the human race can evolve into beings that no longer harm each other; physically, emotionally, verbally and financially. We need to evolve for our mutual survival as a species. To the teen or anyone who thinks there's an excuse for such violence should be required to go see victims of abuse. We are not talking about a slap. We are talking about beating someone. I am disgusted that there are videos that glorify abuse. I wonder why some who come from the ghetto would want to glorify it. One would think they would want to run away from it. Is corporate America intentionally trying to surpress women by glorifing abuse. Once again I cannot stress enough on how important it is that we must learn to control our emotions and not be violent toward one another. Our emotions are not a reflection of our true nature but are just emotions. We have learn to control our mind/ego rather than let it control us. Anyone who is violent does not love and any woman should get as far as she can from that person and never return to that person.

In the pre-feminist days good parents told their little boys, "never hit a girl." It was just not even an option. It's possible that in our post-feminist era young people growing up in the 80's, 90's etc.. that seeing women vying against men in the corporate world or having a culture of assumed equality in the professions has allowed the attitude to occur that we heard in the psychologist's daughter who called in. She said her daughter said something like "well maybe he was mad at her for a good reason" (as if that makes it understandable or ok!?!) People today don't get that it's never ok for a man to hit a woman because she can't fight back with the same physical strength as a man. That's the fundamental difference. Feminism is so important and there should be equal rights for all human beings but because women have rights to all the freedom's men have it does not mean men are now free to hit the still (usually) physically weaker sex.

whatever abused girlfriend Axl Rose may or may not have been signing about in "Sweet Child O' Mine," it wasn't Stephanie Seymour; the song was on the band's first album and therefore written before Rose would have had opportunity to meet someone at Seymour's level of celebrity. On a separate note, a friend who saw the band perform in 1986 at a club in L.A. swears the lyric was "Sweet China White," which would make the song about a different kind of abuse.

What about the song "Knoxville Girl", an old British folk ballad that became American with the settlers that came here in the 16 and 1700s? This song, sung in the first person by a man who murders his "girl" and drowns her in the river, is a canonical example of abuse in the history of American song. These sorts of violent ballads (some about retribution) were part of what went into making the blues in the American South; and the blues (as in the Clapton song you played) have long been a genre for sharing the troubles of the abuser and the abused... these roots are deep in our American musical history!

Thanks Maria. You beat me too it. I love that song, as weird a topic as it is.

To Sallie - He Hit Me (and it felt like a kiss) always creeped me out too.

The song White Flag sung by Elvis Costello is a good tongue in cheek domestic violence song, if such a song can be good.

All the songs mentioned so far talk about men beating women. Is it more acceptable to have songs about violence against men? Examples--"Earl" by the Dixie Chicks

I know we're not talking about songs, and that this topic is not a source of humor for most people, but Elvis Costello's "Wave a White Flag," from My Aim is True, is a pretty weird and catchy ditty about domestic abuse:

"Beat me in the kitchen, and I'll beat you in the hall / There's nothing I love better than a free-for-all / To take your pretty neck and see which way it bends / But when it is all over we will still be friends."

I think the problem with domestic violence in pop music is the same as the problem with domestic violence in the real world: People just don't want to admit it exists.

So if I like the music, I'll like the music but I won't pretend the artist is some magical angel.

The funny thing is if I mention domestic violence to friends—like in the case of Ike/Tina Turner—people will seemingly instinctively launch into excuses.

There is no excuse. The music is good. But the people who created it have issues. Just face that and cope with that no matter how hard that seems.

To Brett- I whole heartedly agree. Celebrity definitely messes with your head. His stress level would be directly attributable to that. With his apparent background it also provides him the ability to deal with his issues better than most. Its unfortunate he wasn't more proactive about confronting his demons through therapy and if he was addressing them (doubtful due to his youth) its a shame it didn't work.

Remember Jean-Louis Trintignant from "A Man And a Woman"'s fame?
His daughter, Marie Trintignant,an actress, was punched to death by her husband, a lead singer of French rock band "Noir Desir", in 2003!!

the host stated they are musicians, bull! rhianna and chris brown are studio creations, to categorize them as talented musicians is innacurate and laughable....give me a break

"I'd rather see you dead little girl, than to be with another man" - The Beatles

I mean, the most obvious is The Crystals' song "He Hit Me (and it felt like a kiss)" which is so disturbing.

And I always thought that "Under My Thumb" by The Rolling Stones has always been a bit dubious...

I just heard the lady say that domestic violence is common among latinos. Let me ask her: when are we going to stop these stereotypes? the least place where I expect to hear this kind of nonsense is in wnyc.

To Robots - I agree with you, nothing justifies violence. My point was that I think celebrity can mess with your head and maybe this was one of the reasons he snapped.

What are the numbers on domestic violence? What percentages of Americans have experienced domestic violence, and how does that compare with celebrities?

I think a lot of domestic violence cases are covered up, could it be that the reason why there are more recorded cases of domestic violence in low income households is because there is some sort of dignity that those involved are trying to protect?

No amount of pressure justifies domestic violence. That is enabling speech Brett. A majority of commenters I've read online seem to think Rihanna did something worthy of getting a beat down. Nothing she could have done other than attacking Chris Brown herself could justify such an act.

This is news because it brings up the conversation of domestic violence. If it takes a celebrity incident to bring up that conversation then so be it.

Check out tyra clip onyoutube from a year ago where c brown talks about his father abusing his mother and that his life is a response to that

Research has long shown that the single most potent predictor of abuse is a history of having been abused.
Not all people who are under extreme stress become abusive, either physically or psychologically. It is the history that is key.

Of course, those in the public eye, or with greater financial resources, are able to conceal what happens behind closed doors.

Violence against women is illegal. No excuses.

Both Chris and Rihanna were coming from a party when the assault happened. I think what is being ignored is that there might be a problem with handling alcohol or drugs? That's not to blame it on liquor or drugs but many people do get violent when they are using these substances and shouldn't be taking them in the first place.

The violence by David Ruffin against Tammi Terrell comes to mind. David Ruffin had a beautiful, soulful voice, which was entirely diminished in my mind by these allegations. Its all about what the 'artist' , and victim, is exposed to in childhood, and what they are taught is acceptable in relationships.

Sorry - but there is never any excuse for behavior like this - Spoiled kid - he needs help

When I heard that Dickey Betts, great Allman Bros. guitarist, beat his wife, I was so disappointed, and had a hard reconciling that fact with the man who could write a song as beautiful as "Blue Sky"

Chris Brown will probably re-emerge as a tougher more HIP-Hop persona. As sick as it sounds this will probably earn him some cred as he tries to rehabilitate what would soon have been a very disposable career.

Who cares?
This is just more celebrity news that if it wasn't about a celebrity it would not be news.

I am not underscoring the seriousness of domestic abuse and spousal violence.

Is violence only news worthy when it involves a celebrity?
What about the countless woman, and men, that are abused by their spouses that don't live their lives in the public eye? I guess they simply aren't news worthy and they don't count.

who cares? they are overpaid, over idolized, overrated, let them beat each other to a pulp, why is this even a topic?

An immense pressure can come with celebrity, which is very different than an anonymous life. I certainly don't condone the violence, but I can understand these pop stars snapping when feeling threatened.