Social Media Buzz: How long before we realise?
Domestic violence is an experience, that only those who’ve been through it understand. It’s like one of those things that we don’t want to believe in or choose to ignore until we ourselves are hit by it.
Denise Brown belonged to this category until June 12, 1994, when her older sister Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of American footballer O.J. Simpson was found brutally murdered in her home. Moreover, O.J. Simpson was accused of murdering her, but found not guilty and later acquitted. This tragedy led Denise change the path of her life and devote it to raising awareness about domestic violence.
Since 1995, Brown has been travelling far and wide to inform people about the repercussions of domestic violence and unite to put an end to it. A tweet recently posted by ParentingCrazy on Twitter has put the spotlight on her again. Paul white from Hamptonroads.com reports, "Denise Brown will be the keynote speaker at the annual Women Helping Women luncheon to benefit Samaritan House, at 10:30 a.m., on 21st May, 2009 at the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club in Virginia Beach."
He further says," It wasn’t until Brown began reading Nicole’s diaries after the killings that the light bulb went on for the self-described "mom from Laguna Beach. She said her parents didn’t even raise their voices to each other, and initially she even scoffed at reports that Nicole, the wife and then ex-wife of former NFL player O.J. Simpson, had been abused."
But domestic violence can happen to anyone, at any time. And Brown realised this soon enough. She says, she never believed her sister was living through hell. She says, "I was the one who said that Nicole is not a battered woman. It was like I was in this bubble."
But when the bubble burst, a profound activist was born. From then on, she educated herself about the issue and eventually, dedicated her whole life to helping victims and raising awareness about domestic violence. She’s the founder of the acclaimed Nicole Brown Foundation working against domestic abuse. She’s known for nothing else but this today.
Before the incident, Denise Brown was like any other ignorant teenager. It cost Brown her own sister’s life to get revelled about the gravity of issue.
The question is, how long will it take you?
Tagged domestic violence
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Piali BhattacharyaMay 25, 2009 at 8:18 am
To a certain extent I agree with you that experiencing domestic violence makes one more sensitive to the issue. But then it does not mean a person who has not faced domestic violence should be insensitive. The other day my pregnant maid was beaten blue and black by her husband because she wanted to discontinue working till she delivered her fourth child. Her husband was inefficient to support the family without her income. She is highly anemic and malnourished. But it was her decision to have the fourth child as the other three are girl child. Who do we blame……my maid or her husband? Being a responsible human being how do I even take a step forward? What is the issue DOMESTIC VIOLENCE or GENDER DISCRIMINATION? Who needs counseling the maid or her husband?
Zeba SiddiquiMay 27, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hey Piali. Thanks for reading and expressing your views. I am not saying that people who haven’t experiences domestic violence are insensitive towards the issue. It’s great in fact, that you have shown an interest in this and spoken about your maid and her husband. But the world still needs a lot more people like you to stand up and speak out in order to put an end to domestic violence. Speaking about your maid, do you really think her decision to have the fourth child was enough to justify her husband hitting her ‘black and blue’ as you said? Is that reason enough for battering her? Absolutely not! Physical abuse is not acceptable no matter what the reason. That said, having a child or not is a decision the husband and wife should take mutually. So, while your maid was wrong with her decision to have the baby without the consent of her husband, it’s absolutely unacceptable on his part to beat her up for it. Besides, what’s the point of hitting her now that they have had the child? I think you need to get both your maid and her husband get counselling.
dionJune 1, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Denise Brown belonged to this category until June 12, 1994, when her older sister Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of American footballer O.J. Simpson was found brutally murdered in her home wearing Stainless steel Jewelry. Moreover, O.J. Simpson was accused of murdering her, but found not guilty and later acquitted. This tragedy led Denise change the path of her life and devote it to raising awareness about domestic violence.