By Juliana Stumpp

Co-A&E Editor

On Feb. 8, 2009, pop singer Rihanna was hospitalized after a heated argument with her boyfriend, R&B singer Chris Brown, left her with bruises and injuries to her face. Brown was later charged with felony assault and pleaded guilty in court. He was sentenced to five years of probation, domestic violence counseling and half a year of community service.

Rihanna obtained a five-year restraining order prohibiting Brown from coming within 50 yards. Now, rumors have surfaced that they have been displaying PDA and going to concerts together. While celebrity love lives all just sound like a Taylor Swift song, the gossip about this onetime couple sends such a bad message to young couples and girls. Maybe she was into that and Brown was the inspiration for her song “S&M,” and we’ll never know and shouldn’t really care.

But feminism aside, really Rihanna? After your boyfriend beats you, you’re still willing to give him another shot? There are so many things wrong with that. The only reason why I am so hyped up about these “rumors” is because Rihanna and Chris Brown are public figures and that comes with some sort of responsibility. I’m not implying it’s their personalities that made them famous … and a bunch of other people attempt to make them look good.

They need to stop being selfish and think about the impact their actions have on their fans. I know how easy it is to be manipulated by what I see in magazines, particularly when we are young. Since then, I would say I have a good head on my shoulders and learned not to imitate celebrities.

But what happens when young girls look at the magazines and think “Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together?” I guess its not such a bad thing if guys hit girls.” And Rihanna’s justification gives guys the message that girls like this. Where does it end?

Society needs to stop blowing stories like this into our faces. What does it matter if they get back together in our daily lives? Society needs to stop obsessing over what these celebrities choose to do with their lives. If we don’t, actions that Brown committed could possibly seem ethical.