Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas, who recently fell short in her quest for a Senate seat, has sparked controversy online after she honored music artist Chris Brown by entering his name into the congressional record over the weekend.
“Now, y’all know I tend to get in trouble every once in a while. I’m gonna make this real quick. I need to know who run it! So is Dallas in the building?” Crockett announced as she took the stage alongside Brown on Saturday. She then encouraged the crowd, saying, “Let’s give it up for Chris Brown,” which was met with applause.
This moment did not sit well with many people online, who began questioning whether it was appropriate for a lawmaker to honor Brown, considering his significant history of domestic violence.
In 2009, for instance, Brown pled guilty to felony assault after physically attacking his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. The public was given a painful glimpse of her injuries, leading to widespread condemnation. This incident was not an isolated case; he faced other violent incidents, including a misdemeanor assault charge in 2013 after an altercation with Frank Ocean. More recently, in 2017, another ex-girlfriend secured a domestic violence restraining order against him, claiming he had physically abused her.
Just this past July, Brown pled guilty to striking producer Abe Diaw multiple times with a glass bottle. He is also due to be sentenced in October for a separate charge related to making threats of violence.
Andrew Kerr, an investigative reporter, quickly highlighted Brown’s troubled past in a post after news of Crockett’s actions spread. He remarked, “Kamala Harris-endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett uses her congressional authority to honor Chris Brown, the rapper best known for beating ever-living s— out of Rihanna in 2009.”
Shannon Watts, who is known for her activism, also shared her thoughts on Brown’s controversial history, stating, “Chris Brown pled guilty to felony assault after brutally attacking Rihanna. Another ex, Karrueche Tran, later obtained a five-year restraining order after testifying that he abused and threatened her.”
Crockett’s official statement recognized the contributions of both Chris Brown and Usher to contemporary R&B and pop culture, particularly within the Black community. On stage, she emphasized, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. And right now, we are experiencing Black joy to the highest level.”
Yet, some political analysts like Ameshia Cross critiqued the decision, suggesting it reflected a disconnect from the serious issues facing the Black community. Cross commented, “Chris Brown has a problem, and several folks beyond Rihanna have met his violent rage. This was a ridiculous move by Crockett.” She added, “when Black women suffer domestic violence at the highest rates, this was tone-deaf.”
Others, like Eric Michael Garcia, echoed this sentiment, expressing disgust over Crockett’s choice to honor an individual with such a violent past. Dan Winslow, an author, also suggested that this event changed his perception of her.
Crockett’s recognition of Brown drew a wave of responses, with critics voicing their outrage. In the midst of the backlash, Brown responded via Instagram, asking for privacy and expressing dissatisfaction with the attention, stating, “I was minding my own d-mn business. My shows in Dallas were already sold out.” He continued, urging people to leave him alone so he could focus on his fans.
As for Crockett, after losing her Senate bid, she will not be returning to the U.S. House of Representatives as she decided to step down to pursue this opportunity.
