Talk Queens Protest Abuse

March 12, 2009 | Today's Top Stories

Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks are some of the most powerful women in media -- and they're weighing in on the national epidemic of domestic violence.

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Since the altercation between controversial couple Rihanna and Chris Brown, stars have spoken out against violence. "The message this story sends is disturbing and is also dangerous," Oprah says of the couple, who has reunited since their allegedly violent showdown.

Tyra Banks teamed up with Oprah to talk about teen violence and abusive relationships on "Oprah" -- where Banks admitted that she was the victim of emotional abuse. "He never hit me," Banks said, "There were blows to my spirit."

The supermodel-turned-talk queen also opened up about Chris Brown, who revealed the trauma of seeing his mom abused by his stepfather during a 2007 trip to Tyra's show. "He was so scarred by it that he would wet the bed," said Tyra. During the taping of the 2007 episode, Brown said, "I don't want to put a woman through the same thing that person put my mom through."

Banks confessed that she revisited the interview when reports about Brown abusing Rihanna came out. "I went back to that interview and I said, 'Oh my god, he's repeating it.'"

Brown faces a judge again April 6.

comments

Hey Michelle, you are right, I am not black however I too know it’s not a race issue, it’s about sisterhood and helping victims of domestic violence.

THIS IS NOT A RACE ISSUE, THE FOCUS IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE IS WRONG IN ALL RACES.

Hey Michelle, you are right
March 13, 2009

QUIT MAKING THIS A RACIAL THING. I AM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN WHO THINKS IT IS GREAT FOR ALL WOMEN THAT THIS IS COMING OUT. NO MAN SHOULD HIT A WOMAN…PERIOD!

Michelle
March 13, 2009

oprah, tyra and dr. phil are all trying to rate their show by using chris and rihanna………if i have the power i would ask them all to shut up………and mind their on buss….

Anonymous
March 13, 2009

Chris Brown is a 19 year old boy, that needs counseling not jail time, Rihanna also needs counseling they both have anger issues. We don’t know what happened in the car we were not there but everyone is putting their 2 cents in. If Rihanna did take him back who are we to judge her and who are we to judge and condemn Chris Brown. Who made Oprah and Tyra jury, judge and executioners, they have already judge Chris Brown. Only GOD and Rihanna and Chris know exactly what happened that night and until they feel ready to dicuss this with their fans and the media we should all keep out of it. There is more important issues out there. This has been going on far to long.

alma
March 13, 2009

Domestic Violence has always existed and it is not fair to Oprah and Tyra to just focus on the Rihanna/Brown case today.
They got back together so what??? It is not the end of the world!!!
If they think they can work it out, then let them do so. Maybe and just maybe they are really in love; if this is the case, no matter what you people say Rihanna will stay with CB, at least until she is not in love anymore.
Love is powerful, and you people should know better!
Even though it is true that I would never stay who someone who constantly beats me up, I am not in Rihanna’s shoes, WE are not; therefore we can NOT judge, take sides or put pressure on them.

SLK
March 13, 2009

South African men are ‘raping women to cure them of being lesbians’
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:08 AM on 13th March 2009

Comments (12) Add to My Stories
Lesbians living in South Africa are being raped by men who believe it will ‘cure’ them of their sexual orientation, a report has revealed.
Women are reporting a rising tide of brutal homophobic attacks and murders and the widespread use of ‘corrective’ rape as a form of punishment.
The report, commissioned by international NGO ActionAid, called for South Africa’s criminal justice system to recognise the rapes as hate crimes as police are reportedly failing to take action over the spiralling violence.


THIS IS WHY WE ALL HAVE TO FIGHT ABUSE, IT’S NOT ABOUT RACE.

THIS IS WHY WE ALL HAVE TO FIGHT ABUSE, IT'S NOT ABOUT RACE.
March 13, 2009

Reconciliation Period
According to psychologist and author Lenore Walker, the average battered woman endures three to five violent incidents, from having her arm grabbed to an all-out beating, before she gives up on the relationship.

The reconciliation usually happens during what experts call the honeymoon phase in the cycle of violence, that cooling-down period after the attack when the abusive partner often expresses remorse and begs for forgiveness

Anonymous
March 13, 2009

the focus is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NOT RACISM. Domestic violence is in every race. How we all help victims if you all make a it a racist issue?

the focus is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NOT RACISM.
March 13, 2009

I agree with all of comments, Oprah and Tyra ought to be asshame of their selfs, I don’t think God like this at all, how they know he did not ask God for forgiveness, which is between him and God, they can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t forgive like God forgave you, it means nothing, in God’s eye sight sin is sin whether its fonicating, murder,adultress, etc every body deserve a second chance, you don’t have to be in a abusive relationship, for something to happen, all of a sudden your spouse can go off on you, this world is full of strong evil forces,

kay
March 13, 2009

i never said it wasn’t about Domestic violence but it’s also about being fair and not judge until all the facts are out but in the media it always discredit Black men more than white men and Michael Phelps, Tommy Lee is a example and no i won’t be in that situation because i do understand domestic voilence because i will be at a march in Washington cocerning DOMESTIC VIOLENCE in October you should attend.

Trina
March 13, 2009

We are ready to judge Chris Brown for what he did to Rihanna, but no ones knows for sure what happened in that car. How is Chris Brown suppose to get a fair trial with everyone putting their 2 cents in. If Rihanna is willing for take him back then who are we to judge her for that. They are both young and need help not judgment from any of us. We need to pray for Chris and Rihanna and hope that they BOTH get the help the need. GOD BLESS THEM.

alma
March 13, 2009

This is not in any way a racial issue..it’s about domestic violence! VIOLENCE! Doesnt anybody understand that? It’s wrong no matter what “happened in the car” as somebody put it..and emily,no she won’t necessarily make “the right choice in the end” she’s already made the wrong choice by going back him…maybe next time she won’t be so lucky..we don’t need to defend what he did,that makes men think it’s acceptable to abuse women(and vise versa)and next thing you know it could be you in her situation,and then you’ll have a whole different view!

kylie
March 13, 2009

My comment is Oprah and Tyra Banks are wrong for having a show about Chris Brown and Rihanna they need to expose how racism still exist in the media when Black men may have done wrong. he is alleged to have committed these crimes they could have a least waited until after the trail to discuss domestic volence let the man have a fair trial but in america espically black men you are guilty until proven innocent oprah know how her influence change people minds from her past lawsuits and i lost all respect for tyra banks because he sat there on her couch and told her he was a witness to domestic voilence she should have taken that into consideration he need help but of course money is the root to high rating on chris and rihanna back.

Trina Lewis
March 13, 2009

I do agree with Natalie. People are willing to forgive Michael Phelps for smoking pot which not only is a drug, but illegal, but can not let Chris and Rihanna work out their problems.Maybe Rihanna knows she did something to him.We still have not seen his mugshot, so who knows if he had wounds. I am tired of people like Oprah and Tyra thinking that because they are celebs that they know exactly what happened in that car. I mean Tyra should have more sympathy for Chris since he told her what he went through. They should be looking to help not bash. Please tell me why they are not talking about when who abused their men i.e: Tampa Bay LB ‘Hayes girlfriend and that lady from Real Housewives of NY! Please! Oprah and Tyra need to take a step back and let these two work it out on their own.

Renee
March 13, 2009

I lived in family violence for 25 years. This is not anything new, but what I find sad is we are also not finding any new way to deal with it. It is plain to see that the ways we have now do not work or domestic violence would not be on the rise. Maybe we should consider God way. You know think about this. What would Jesus do? He would offer love and compassion. He would show a better life. You have to turn to God to change. No person, prison, ect changes anyone. It comes from the peace within that is found through God. Everyone in a violent relationship needs help.

Kimberly
March 13, 2009

It is sad that when African American men fail, all of these protest come out like they did for Michael Vick and so many others, but when others fail like Michael Phelps, the women teachers that are caucasian that slept with students, and the caucasian women pastor that killed her husband and got her children back, there are no protest or no one circulating petitions to stop their livelihood. Forgiveness comes quickly for one culture, but it does not happen that way for African American males particularly. Too bad Ophrah and Tyra did not weight in on this issue.

Natalie
March 12, 2009

I’m so annoyed at the fact that everyone keeps calling Chris and Rihanna role models. Don’t get me wrong I like Chris Brown and Rihanna is okay in small doses but no performer, singer, and/or actor should be a role model for your childen. A child’s role model should start with their parents and other upstanding people in their family. Why you would you want someone who prances around half naked to be your child’s role model? What type of message is that sending your child? That really speaks volumes about the parenting skills of that person. Tyra Banks and Oprah are always going to find a way to make a quick buck and Tyra will always make the situation about her.

Chris Brown Fan
March 12, 2009

While i dont agree with any kind of abuse, I do thnk its important for everybody to remember that this is not any of our business. It has got to be embarassing to her and im sure that she is already going through enough without the publics input. She will make the right choice when it is time. Until then, lets try to respect her privacy


Emily
March 12, 2009

Why would you lead of a show with comments from Oprah? Nobody with an IQ higher then her 45 really cares what she says (aside from her Rush Limbaugh Like Dittoheads) - The woman has gotten by over the years by flamboozing a bunch of brain dead bozos - please shut her off and let intelligence once again flourish

don
March 12, 2009

now that Oprah has talked about this issue, and with the intelligence of Tyra Banks to assist her. All the abuse will now stop. (sarcasm)

Since Oprah has decided to grab herself some of the media attention surrounding this. Just like Dr. Phil (and Oprah herself) with the Octomom situation! It’s all “the rage” and “what’s current” to talk about!? I’m not saying let’s sweep this under the rug by any means, but hearing about this in EVERYDAY NEWS is just too much. It’s literally beating a dead horse!

Two words for Oprah, and Dr. Phil…

“SHUT UP”!

well well well
March 12, 2009
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