While Rihanna is being labeled as too hard of a partier and an industry flirt, Russell Simmons believes she has every right to sleep with as many men as she wants without criticism from men who do the same.
By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
We live in a society that runs on double standards and hypocrisy when it comes to the overall views of sex and relationships. Women are taught at a young age to keep our legs closed to appear more ladylike and wifeable; while men are encouraged to sow their royal oats and put off any bouts of monogamy for as long as possible. Bachelorhood at any age is sexy, while a 35 year old unmarried woman is absolutely terrifying and pathetic. So pathetic that just about every major publication for black women continues to speculate and obsesses on ways to avoid the single life past 30. We’re being advised to look for love in the clubs, date any and everybody but a black man, and even stay single permanently to protect our hearts, As a culture, women are stagnant on sexual freedoms and healthy libidos, and it’s most likely because we’re afraid of the pesky labels that come with it. With society continuously limiting the “sexual progression” of the average, non-industry woman; it should come as no surprise that women in the entertainment industry, no matter how sexually liberated they appear to be, continuously battles the social stigmas and the avoidance of label wearing like the rest of us.
Rihanna started off in the music business as the typical good girl. She appeared and dressed cookie cutter, looked up to Beyonce who is the queen of all good girls, and kept out of trouble long enough to resist headlining any controversy. Fast forward to 2012 and she’s more remembered for being physically assaulted by Chris Brown, smoking marijuana in public, getting drunk regularly, and having love affairs with strippers.
With no man in her life, Rihanna seems to be romantically linked to someone new every week. While this would earn a rapper like Drake or singer like Chris Brown a pat on the back, it earns Rihanna the infamous whore title.
Disgusted with the hypocrisy, Russell Simmons vented his frustrations in a recent letter that went viral on the social networks:
“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t see why everyone has their panties up in a bunch. It’s just that she is out there allegedly fu-kin’ the rockstars of her dreams and you out there fu-kin’ groupies. You can’t be mad that she was seen walking out of Ashton Kutcher’s house late one night, cause you know if you were seen walking out of Adriana Lima’s house late one night, you would be in the studio the next day rapping about it. I mean, you all got like 50 girls in your videos drooling over you and you dissing Rihanna? I can’t blame a girl for being independent, having fun and living her life the way she wants to.
Remember, I was a manager once and I have seen these types of young men on the road. I was with Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Whoodini [sic] and saw all of the girls after the show line up outside the dressing rooms. I mean, Whoodini even wrote a song about, ‘I Am A H-e’ and went on to rap, ‘I rock three different girls after every show.’ So, I know how this sh-t works. You all got 10 times as many girls as Rihanna has men, and you know that. I love you guys, and this certainly ain’t a diss, but I gotta keep it real.”
While I agree that whoredom shouldn’t matter or be dependent on the gender, I do still feel that it’s just too risky to sleep around with numerous people. Rather you have a penis or a vagina, the threat of sexually transmitted diseases can’t continued to be ignored. And I still have to ask why we still base our freedom and independence on our number of sexual partners? Because the more you think about it, the clearer it is that a high number of sexual partners has a bigger chance of being the kind of bondage you just may never get rid of. This goes for both women and men.
But in the meantime, how do you feel about Russell’s message?
There is nothing liberating about being some man’s mattress rat! Yes, men are sluts, but sleeping around isn’t cute for women or men! Rihanna needs some class! Russell is just another idiot who should keep his mouth shut.
Supporting promiscuity is never the way to go. SMH…
Double standards are a b-tch but Rihanna’s behavior isn’t all that appealing to a dude who is looking for someone to settle down with. Just like women don’t want to marry men who bad reputations, don’t be surprised that men don’t either. As fine as Rihanna is, her sex appeal (to me) has declined rapidly with her immature behavior.
Yeah she has a right to be a whore, but men also have a right to pass on her when it comes to marriage. Make your choices ladies, but don’t cry foul when you end up alone.
Agreed! Rihanna better learn the game. She’s getting at that age where this just isn’t cute anymore.
I don’t understand why women want to be sluts so bad. They have already proven scientifically that the a high number of sexual partners is problematic to a woman’s health. Even cervical cancer has been linked to too many sexual partners. At what point do we stop trying to be so masculine and be ok with being ladies?
Russell is a gross creep who continues to open up his mouth daily and prove that he is indeed an old fool. How much do you want to bet he’d have a problem with his little daughters growing up and becoming “Rihannas?”
In a time when slutty women continue to get ahead, can we be surprised that everyone’s pushing the classy women to go slut?
I feel like everybody missed the whole point Russell was trying to make. I know this because you still think she should uphold a certain kind of image while men don’t have to. I feel like women are not doomed anymore for sleeping around, For example, Amber Rose left Kanye and got engaged. I know she is semi famous, but this also happens in real life. Being a reserved leg shut woman won’t necessarily rush you down the aisle either these days. So let’s not be naive.
True, but you have to remember that the Amber Roses of the world had to clean up a little first and appear as the good girl to get those rings. That is not a coincidence.
You hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
This may be an unpopular opinion but we need to stop glorifying men and women being heaux. It’s not good for us to have our children looking up to people that condone having multiple sexual partners before they are married.
This is not healthy behavior at all and it sucks that Russell jumped into this saying that it should be okay that she can be a heaux.
I completely agree with you. We have to start doing better.
What an old fart.
I don’t even know why he’s speaking on this. I always thought Russell Simmons was gay. I’m sorry but I have never been one of those women who buy into the whole ladies man thing. If a man just can’t manage to settle down and has to always prove how manly he is by the number of women he sleeps with, he’s most likely gay. This letter was just another ploy and attempt to mask that most likely.