who put the 'beat' in beatles
What the? Since when has domestic abuse been acceptable? The death and funeral of famous alcoholic George Best, and twenty-fifth anniversary of celebrity hypocite John Lennon's murder have seen their wife-beating if not ignored then certainly sidelined, as middle-aged journalists rush to venerate them.
Their respective talents were undeniable but to paint them as loveable rogues or in Lennon's case as near-saintly is pretty grotesque. Inexcusable behaviour is inexcusable whoever you are. The message that this sends to women (and men) suffering abuse in the home is very bad. Whether it's fame, being a man, money, or some other feeble excuse, it looks as though such conduct will be exonerated by society on wholly spurious grounds.
I hope people aren't discouraged from coming forward for help, they already find it hard enough. A woman suffering abuse will have been assaulted several times before she looks for any kind of help, and on average will visit hospital 17 times before she's likely to leave an abusive partner. Anything that's likely to contribute to making this situation worse should be tackled at any cost.
These are not the kind of people society needs to praise.
Their respective talents were undeniable but to paint them as loveable rogues or in Lennon's case as near-saintly is pretty grotesque. Inexcusable behaviour is inexcusable whoever you are. The message that this sends to women (and men) suffering abuse in the home is very bad. Whether it's fame, being a man, money, or some other feeble excuse, it looks as though such conduct will be exonerated by society on wholly spurious grounds.
I hope people aren't discouraged from coming forward for help, they already find it hard enough. A woman suffering abuse will have been assaulted several times before she looks for any kind of help, and on average will visit hospital 17 times before she's likely to leave an abusive partner. Anything that's likely to contribute to making this situation worse should be tackled at any cost.
These are not the kind of people society needs to praise.
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