After all the hoopla about whether Oprah Winfrey is being hypocritical with her stance on domestic violence, one woman is holding the beloved media maven accountable.
On Nov. 13, Robin Givens came face-to-face with her 'Women of Brewster Place' co-star and producer to express her disappointment with how Winfrey recently handled an interview with her ex-husband, Mike Tyson.
The 45-year-old former 'Head of the Class' actress is the spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
She wrote a letter to the talk show diva about how deeply disturbed and saddened she was by her reaction to the former boxing champion when he appeared on the show to promote his critically acclaimed documentary.
In Tyson's October sit-down with Winfrey, he said he was overwhelmed by the lies Givens told Barbara Walters during the odd couple's infamous 1998 TV interview and that he "truly wanted to sock her."
He added, "Afterwards, I didn't sock her, [but] I had socked her before and she socked me before, as well." And then there was laughter from the studio audience.
"I was really, really hurt, and it was Domestic Violence Awareness month," Givens told Winfrey. 
She reminded Winfrey that Tyson said the best punch he ever threw at her, before adding, "it was tough to experience, but it's tough to have a man say it and feel like it's no big thing."
She took the talk show diva to task, saying, "I'm a woman with love for you, tremendous respect, tremendous admiration, and I wouldn't be honest if there wasn't a part of me that, when he said, 'I socked her before,' [for you to not] say 'that's not right' and it wasn't right...it was painful."
"When there is this laughter, if you are in that situation out there, it kind of lightens it for all the women that are experiencing it," Givens continued.
Winfrey then apologized. "In that moment, I felt that I should have said something, [like] 'Audience that isn't funny.' Or 'Audience this is really serious.' So I regret it even after that moment."
"I would say to you, and to every woman who has ever been hit, I feel that I did not handle that as well as I should have, and I feel that I could have gone further and should have said more to clarify that what he was doing and what he was saying was wrong," Winfrey confessed. "I apologize to you, and I apologize to every woman who has ever been in that situation. I apologize for not being sharp enough to make sure that you know that I don't think that that's okay."
Rihanna's name came up in the discussion, too. The 'Umbrella' singer, who was involved in a very public domestic violence ordeal with boyfriend Chris Brown, recently spoke out about her relationship with Brown on a '20/20' interview with Diane Sawyer.
"Rihanna said it quite well," said Givens. "She said, 'I did not cause this.' And, I did not cause it and woman going through this, you're not causing it."
Comments: (49)
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By: africa on 11/14/2009 7:49PM
I did not see the whole interview but to know people were laughing is really sad.they are now making jokes about chris brown and rhianna on tv one.Black people don't take domesic abuse for real they make jokes and move on.I hope more women will heed the advice given from both women and leave.as to the incident with BeBe Winans he is innocet unless proven otherwise.
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By: S.C. on 11/17/2009 7:33AM
The key is their using black people to put this on display, like it's a specific problem to us. Maybe it's most contagious to us because black women refuse to see how the game is being played. Keep em angry, bitter and bitchy and emascualte their men on two fronts. They can't get a break in scoiety and they can't even get one at home. Double jeopardy. Open your eyes black woman! You are being used as a weapon of mass destruction!
Why would Robin Givens even give that power by responding to it. It was a joke. You still care what Mike Tyson has to say about you 25 years later? And then even sat up there and cried about it. Like I said...a joke and she did it for attention. At least the domestic violence hotline has a little more awareness so it's not a total waste.
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By: Ms.Fields on 11/14/2009 10:33PM
I'm not trying to make light of this situation, because abuse is never a joke, but it seems that RG will have on her tombstone that in 19_ _ Mike Tyson abused me.
In my opinion, at this point and time, your claim to fame is that Mike Tyson whupped your backside. Is that what you want people to remember you for? People are going to forget that you are an actor.
Baby girl, why haven't you moved on and why have you allowed this situation to define who you are? In the media that is all you talk about. If you are not talking about Tyson, we don't hear from you.
I hope that Oprah pulled you to the side w/out the cameras and gave you a good sister girl talk, regarding ongoing therapy. I am not trying to be flippant about this either, but you need a good Dr. Phil style talking too.
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By: Michelle on 11/15/2009 6:02AM
I totally agree with you sister. Robin Givens has never been able to totally break through in the industry and should not consider herself the face of domestic violence.
Robin needed some air time and that was her opportunity. Robin and her Mother will be forever remembered as gold diggers.
Disclaimer: I in no way minimize domestic violence because I am fully aware that it is real but to have Rihanna and Robin [R&R] attempt to build their careers around this issue....is wrong on so many levels. Tina Turner was in an abusive relationship and she does not wear it around her collar. The sister moved on and made a better life for herself and other women!
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By: Velda on 11/17/2009 8:00AM
I Agree!!!!
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By: RC on 11/17/2009 1:53PM
I have to agree with you as well. Why does Oprah have to say it was wrong when Mike feels it was wrong in retrospect. Thgeonly gripe I see her having is with Oprah maybe not getting after the audience for laughing, and that too would be extreme. Robin Givens let it go..just continue to do the work for women who are going through abuse and recovering..let the past go!
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By: brenda on 11/18/2009 12:52AM
No one in their right mind will defend domestic abuse. I also believe that women need to stop hitting on men expecting not to get hit back. Women have always looked to their men as their protectors from arms way, so you already know he can beat your behind. So why would you hit him first, thats abuse as well. I was taught when I was a toddler not to, as they use to say "pass licks". You were taught not to hit anyone, because if you were going to be big enough to give a lick, you better get ready to be big enough to take one back.
I do however feel that men sometimes get the bad rap on this, wait and hear me out. I'll never forget a few years ago, I stopped on the way home at this neighborhood store. I passed these guys standing outside laughing and talking on the way in. When I came out this woman jumped out the passenger side of this car cursing and mad as mad could be, ran up to one of the men and started just beating him with her fist. He kept asking her whats the matter with you while trying to back away from her, she kept after him hitting and hitting, he kept walking off telling her to stop, she followed still hitting, he crossed the street, she followed still hitting, after about 30mins he finally just stopped turned around and grabbed her by both hands holding her and told her to not hit him again and that he was wasnt going to turn her hands aloose until she agreed not to him him again. so since she couldnt get loose from his grip, she spit right in his face and he pushed her back and she fell down. Now here comes the police seeing the last where he pushed her. Guess who got locked up. We all stood there watching this in disbelief, when she told the police while crying how he had hit her and the cops didnt want to hear anything from us watcher.
But the killer to the story was, they were girl/boyfriend living together. she had forgotten and left her doorkeys home that day and was mad because she couldnt get in the house when she got home and that he was not there to let her in. Now he had his keys with him true enough but he didnt know that she had left hers. Knowing where he hung out all day she had the neighbor drive her around to the store to find him.
Frankly I feel she needed her behind beat, not because of her hitting him but for being the fool to be working while he hangs out all day.
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By: blk love on 11/14/2009 11:03PM
Why is Oprah being penalized for her audience's respond. What is Givens accusing Oprah of. She is not responsible for what Mike said.
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By: BG on 11/17/2009 7:21PM
As simple as that. Oprah owes this whining owl nothing. All what Tyson wanted was love and stability he has never had. The guy had more than unconditional love for this dingbat. But she had gone there to reap where she never sow. Ask her what Tyson skin color is and she says GREEN. And what do people like that get? Tyson's erratic behavior began when this flat-mouthed mouse was going to abandon him. Her career plunged afterward. You don't hear from her untill Tyson's story is out. This is why a lot of women are out there crying SINGLE.
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