This month BET produced a show titled "Surviving R. Kelly" that "exposed" his pedophilia, rapist and downright disgusting character to the world. The shows provide details on alleged (but frankly evident) sex trafficking in Atlanta, sexual and mental manipulation, and the stories of many women how have been affected by his actions. Although constantly denied by Kelly, the allegations against him are something that we ALL have been aware of and, sadly, a fact that we have all consciously chosen to ignore. Especially, the black community.
Surviving R. Kelly – Survivors Speak Out (Part 1) | Lifetime www.youtube.com
Many members of the black community have defended him.
Undoubtedly, R. Kelly is a figure in black culture. His music is a part of family reunions, wedding, and the special memories that people in our community hold dear to their hearts. I remember listening to "I Believe I Can Fly In Kindergarten" and reciting "Ignition Remix" word for word despite being very young. This is a major reason why he has constantly been held unaccountable for his heinous acts.
But what people who say these things for these reasons don't realize is that their words have way more power than they imagine. The message that you send by criticizing victims or protecting R. Kelly because you like his music tells victims that their story does not matter.
Imagine this...
Your niece decides to not tell you that she's being harassed because she's heard you say, "That wouldn't have happened to that girl if she wasn't so fast."
Your daughter idolizes a rapist and normalizes their actions because you "separate the music from the person."
Your child walks around believing that they can get away with treating people as property because you haven't told them otherwise.
However, there is a bright side of all of this. Other than the many tweets that disregard or protect R. Kelly, there are many more individuals of the black community speaking out and protecting the victims, rightfully criminalizing R. Kelly and addressing the issues that are constantly portrayed by the black community involving rape culture.
This documentary gave way for a step in the right direction to occur within the black community in regards to sexual harassment, rape and abuse against black women. The voices protecting people like R.Kelly harms the stories of victims across the world. But luckily, there are many more compassionate, assertive, mindful and caring people who are determined to uplift those who have been brought down by their support for the well-known abuser.
