Do We Need to Compare Jonathan Majors, Chris Brown? They’re Both Reprehensible

When it comes to celebrity misdeeds, the internet likes to play the comparison game and especially if they’re Black. You know how it goes. “This person’s crimes aren’t as bad as that person’s, so they should totally still have a career.” The latest version of this involves disgraced actor Jonathan Majors and endlessly controversial singer Chris Brown.

The “Forever” singer posted on Instagram Story that he was invited to participate in the NBA’s Celebrity Game during All-Star Weekend, but was later disinvited due to backlash from sponsors. He was upset about the decision, writing that he’s tired of “living in the fucking past.”

You know who’s probably also tired of living in the past? The women you’ve allegedly traumatized.

Despite the many scandals that have followed him and persistent accusations of mistreatment toward women, Brown has been able to maintain a successful career and an extremely loyal following of fans who seem ready to forgive him for anything. It was these fans who were most upset about his seeming slight.

Brown’s reaction led others to compare him to Majors, who has maintained his innocence of assault charges throughout his recent trial. In March, the actor was arrested for assaulting ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari and later found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment. In the aftermath of the scandal, he was fired by Marvel Studios, dropped by his management and PR teams and lost several high–profile roles. His once thriving career now appears to be in a complete free fall.

An Instagram post reading, “now you know these folks are celebrity obsessed. They said jonathan majors deserves his treatment and he accidentally injured a woman’s pinky, but Chris Brown did the Ike and Tina on Rihanna and crying about celebrity basketball.”

This particular post became more notable when Grammy winner Victoria Monét seemingly liked the post. I say seemingly because a like doesn’t necessarily mean the singer is the one behind it. It could’ve been an assistant or close friend with access to her social media. Whether it was her or someone in her inner circle, this is a conversation Monét should stay out of.

Let’s be clear: Violence against women is not acceptable. It doesn’t matter if you think Chris Brown’s alleged actions are worse than Jonathan Majors,’ they’re both terrible. They’ve both caused their victims or alleged victims pain and trauma. You cannot compare how people react to pain and trauma, therefore you cannot compare the degrees to which they’ve caused it.

An easy way to solve this discourse is to just move on from problematic men who don’t learn from or seem apologetic for their mistakes. Second chances shouldn’t be handed out blindly, they need to be earned and deserved.