Inspiration: Rihanna, The Whole Story

This week I feel inspired by Rihanna. This 21-year old R&B sensation had a story to tell. She had every reason to keep the details of her assault, and the humiliation from the public eye.  Featured on the December 2009 cover of Glamour, Rihanna was named woman of the year for her courageous act of stepping forward for the benefit of other woman.

“My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.”

Nine months after the attack on November 5, 2009. Rihanna decided to step forward and be a voice for other woman who may have the same experiences.

"This happened to me. ... It can happen to anyone," the singer, 21, tells Diane Sawyer.

Both Chris Brown and Rihanna grew up with abuse as a regular part of their childhood. Brown stated, He had no respect for men who disrespected woman. Rihanna vowed to never date someone like her dad. Regardless, the two lovers were caught up in a heated argument one night when things got out of hand. Rihanna tells Diane sawyer she read a text message from an ex girlfriend on Chris' phone. She tells viewers she kept pushing him she just couldn't let it go. She said Brown punched her and bit her repeatedly. She said he also choked her, but she was never unconscious, although she said she did have trouble breathing."All I kept thinking was, 'When is it going to stop?' " She confessed to Sawyer.  Horrific photos of her her badly bruised face, were leaked to the media and circling the internet.  Rihanna felt betrayed when she found that there were woman invovled in her humilitiation.

Just like most cases of abuse, Rihanna tried to reconcile thier shattered relationship, even after her assault. On her decision to come forward with her story, Rihanna made this statement, "Even if Chris never hit me again, who is to say that their boyfriend won't?" Rihanna said during the interview, calling her decision to reconcile with Brown "selfish." "Who's to say that they won't kill these girls?

In the lyrics of her new song Russian Roulette the young artist reflects her pain;

 "As my life Flashes before my eyes I wonder if I will ever see another sunrise, So many won't get the chance to say goodbye, But it is too late to think of the value of my life."

Kudos to Rihanna for being an example.