London in New York

I saw it all happen
from across the road
It’d been happening for over a year
With her black eyes sunken,
and her soul so blue
He’d taken her apart with fear

He hurts the one he loves when
he’s the one in pain
He’s out drinking all night,
no knows where he’s been
He lies to the others,
and puts himself high on the shelf
Man if you’re so great do it yourself…

…be a real man
be a real man
-A Real Man by John McIntosh (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)

I, Christopher London, lawyer, writer and society photographer, propose, in the spirit and tradition of Celebrity Death Match, Citizens vs. Celebrities in 3 Round Boxing Matches, live on Pay Per View with proceeds to go to victims of domestic violence, abuse and the homeless. This challenge is issued directly to R&B Singer Chris Brown who recently received a questionably lenient sentence for a serious crime, even though allegedly there was a history of violence in his relationship with singer Rihanna. Celebrity culture is out of control in America. Justice is not always fairly served. The sentences doled out do not jibe with the reality of ordinary citizens. We can change all that beginning today, right now by making celebrities answer to their general public, their fan base etc.

Two NFL Players received prison sentences, Michael Vick for torturing dogs who upon release from prison for serving his sentence has been reinstated by the NFL, the other Plaxico Burress who recently agreed to a plea bargain to serve to two years in prison for shooting himself in the leg, who probably deserves to be laughed at rather than do jail time. While I think that locking up Plaxico Burress for two years may be excessive, especially since by shooting himself in the leg (literally and figuratively) the only person he harmed was himself, he was, however, carrying a concealed weapon into a nightclub in New York City. Gun laws may be draconian but perhaps Mayor Mike had a reason to speak out on this issue, to insure that our metropolis did not deteriorate into a scene out of Boys in the Hood. And unlike some folks I do not have a problem with Michael Vick’s reinstatement by Roger Goodell as Michael did his time and now has a chance to redeem himself, after forfeiting such great promise. What bothers me most, however, is that recently R&B Singer, Chris Brown who beat the hell out of a woman, another human being, a singer by the name of Rihanna, and apparently threatened to kill her received a sentence of probation and community service. Come again?

MEN WHO HIT WOMEN ARE NOT MEN by any standard. That is something that Chris Brown obviously does not understand and likely will not be made to understand with the sentence he received. What kinds of lessons are we teaching our children with this form of justice? Our children will see that if you are famous and wealthy and you smack women around, even threaten to kill them, it is ok if she is a bitch, a pain in the ass or inconveniences you sufficiently that you have to go all Muhammad Ali on her and all that will happen to you is that you may have to do some community service. What kind of message are we sending? I suspect more women will be abused as a result. Allowing Chris Brown to roam free means that more men will take liberties with women. In effect we are treating women as some drug that hypnotizes men and therefore if men lose it, its ok, it’s not their fault. The saddest thing a child can see or hear about is that the woman who nurtured, raised and gave birth to him is or was under attack. How safe is a world if the very person who brought you into it can be treated like garbage by another individual and then in turn by our society and its levers of justice? But you get my point. So you say, oh the woman is crazy, she was dysfunctional, she lied, she cheated on you, she took your money, she is no role model–WHATEVER!—-Your solution bro, the only solution actually is to run as far a way as possible from that woman, not to strike her repeately and threaten to kill her. A REAL MAN RUNS AWAY LIKE A BIG SISSY FROM A CRAZY WOMAN. That’s right. That’s the protocol. So listen Chris, you don’t run it, you run away. Even pretty boys can appear dangerous coming at a woman with their fists flying in a scattered flurry of rage. Women were not trained to do the rope a dope, even if you ain’t no Muhammad Ali, although truth be told you do resemble a young Cassius Clay. One can only wonder if a more monster like football player engaged in the same behavior as Chris Brown whether they would have received the same sentence. Do we have a different standard for pretty boys like Chris Brown who themselves have feminine features? Or is it something more, Chris Brown is a music and entertainment industry commodity, bringing him down, costs some other folks some big coin.

I am in my mid 40’s, old, tired, not in the greatest shape right now, have bad eyesight, have no prior experience or training in the ring or in any martial art so, unlike the martial arts expert who challenged him previously, this would be a safe bet for Chris Brown. But he should know, I have seen all of the ROCKY movies (several times), have Brooklyn blood and know that with three months of training at Gleasons Gym I would have the eye of the tiger, only thing is that I would also require the right to wear contact lenses (so I can see). I am for real, willing to take a punch, risk physical harm to myself and go the distance so that women in America don’t have to. A society that does not protect its women from abuse and battery is no longer a civilized society. And perhaps in the process I will reveal the INNER GIRL inside the THUG. I will even wear the title photographer around my neck. Everyone knows that some celebrities like to hit photographers, or at least the papparazzi (of which I am not one). Oh wait, they usually get a surrogate to hit the photographer. But you get my point.

I promise to KNOCKOUT CHRIS BROWN COLD. Maybe Chris Brown would find it easier to beat up an old man than a woman? I will agree that we can even play his music during the bout, I hear that is just his speed. Is there a promoter out there that can put this together? As a photographer, I am willing to wear NIKON (or perhaps even CANON) trunks. In exchange for their logo placement, and sponsorship, said camera maker would donate a prize to the charity of the winner’s choice, in a sum to be agreed upon before the bout.

This is an opportunity for Chris Brown to man up, make himself an example and give back. And there is always the chance I get my butt kicked but I am willing to take that chance so more women do not have to. Perhaps Iron Mike Tyson can referee and Annie Liebovitz could be the official event photographer, although I think that this could be better documented by Donna Ferrato. If it is a massive success everyone wins, with a portion of proceeds also going to Annie’s financial problems. What about Sylvester Stallone in London’s corner? Just asking.

The only way to cleanse and detoxify yourself for the wrongs committed within a community is to seek healing and salvation through assisting that community in its battle against the type of crimes you committed, not through dodging justice and promising you will not do it again. Moreover, from a pragmatic entertainment business standpoint, absent the willingness to submit to this type of detoxification, Mr. Brown, I dare say that your career will suffer, rumor is that you are on the verge of getting dropped by Jive Records, and you will forever be known as the man who battered a woman and basically got away with it, the O.J. Simpson of pop if you will. You can’t just run it. My proposal offers redemption, catharsis, charity and entertainment all wrapped into one. Reality TV at its finest.

LINKS
-Abuse Aware
-Domestic Abuse Awareness
-Click to Empower
-Safe Horizon
-Sanctuary for Families
-New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
-National Domestic Violence Hotline
-National Network to End Domestic Violence
-Chris Brown
-Rhianna
-Gleason’s Gym

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