Crime Really Pays…A Price!
The Baltimore Ravens has confirmed that they have let Ray Rice go on Monday Sept 8th along with an indefinite suspension by the NFL following the release of a video where Rice is shown striking his then fiancee’/current wife back in February of this year.
In the video which was released by TMZ Sports, Ray Rice and Janay Palmer enter an elevator at Revel Casino in Atlantic City. Rice issues the first strike, Janay strikes back, and then Rice strikes the final blow knocking Palmer to the ground.
The NFL initially hit Rice with a two game suspension while claiming that they never saw the video up until two days ago.
In an updated video clip, Rice and Palmer shout obscenities at each other, and she appears to spit at Rice before he throws the knock out punch. Rice is then seen dragging Palmer [who is clearly unconscious] out of the elevator and is met by hotel staff.
Nike and Steve Madden have also cancelled their endorsement deals with Rice in light of surfaced video. The Baltimore Ravens has also announced that all purchased Rice jerseys can be exchanged for other store items.
As the world is talking about the penalties that should follow Rice, Palmer has since forgiven him, and went on to marry him. Palmer was openly candid about her role in the incident, and said she issued the first strike. Palmer slammed the media and the NFL for Ray’s punishment.
When the video went viral, Palmer posted the following:
ESPN Correspondent, Stephen Smith received a one week suspension after he stated that women should not be ‘provoking’ to their partners. His thoughts mirrors exactly what we’re witnessing in this story. However, Stephen later apologized in attempt to calm all the public protest.
Ray has also released a statement saying:
” I have to be strong for my wife. She is so strong. We are in good spirits. We have alot of people praying for us and we’ll continue to support each other. I have to be there for [Janay] and my family right now and work through this. “
Ray can re-apply to the NFL in one year and be re-instated back into the league. Some of the Raven players have also come forward and said they will continue their friendship with Rice and will also be seeking professional guidance on plays for upcoming games.
As for my overall thoughts, I take sides with Hannah Giorgis writer of the guardian who wrote:
” In a world in which one in four women is the victim of intimate partner violence and black women are disproportionately targeted, this victim blaming is not just irresponsible; it is lethal. Black women are punished when attempting to defend themselves: 94% of black female homicide victims are killed by people they know and 64% of those victims are wives, ex-wives or girlfriends of their killers. Who will support victims when abuse is not recorded and pre-packaged solely for our consumption but subtle and drawn out, or when the state itself commits violence?
If we viewed victims as more than a link to be tweeted, more than statistics to be reported to a broken criminal justice system, we would have to grapple with their complex humanity. We would have to offer meaningful solutions to violence, holistic responses to trauma, and accountability for abusers whom we may love. We would have to do more than just watch. “
Stay Tuned PLUM’s!