Surviving the R. Kelly Docu-Series
posted by Law | February 22, 2019 | In Arts and Culture, OpinionThe Surviving R. Kelly docu-series, a 6-part, woe-is-me account of the inappropriate relationships of R&B singer Robert Kelly, has got to be the most controversial celebrity story to date.
Many watched with shock and awe as one-by-one several women came forward to discuss their sexual relationships with one of the most successful artists of the ‘90s era, while many of those women were minors. It was world-stopping as these testimonies came forth.
Friends, family and even celebrities took to social media to express their displeasure with Kelly. It’s interesting, to hear the various opinions of supporters and non-supporters of the alleged victims and Kelly, himself.
I must admit, I found it very difficult to watch the docu-series straight through. I’m not sure if the content provoked the urge to turn it off, or if the six-part series just wasn’t worthy of my undivided attention. I found myself asking questions that were not being answered in the interviews: Why now? And more importantly where were the parents of these children? How does a well-known adult man keep such questionable behaviors with minors under wrap?
The alleged victims were often identified as employees, some aspiring singers. An artist of Kelly’s caliber employs at least a dozen staff on payroll, including security and personal assistants who manage his day- to-day, book studio times, and, yes, even make hotel and travel arrangements. Someone had to know and said nothing.
Often, in issues of sexual misconduct the victim is blamed, or a percentage of responsibility is levied upon them. There are more than enough responsible parties in this case to swing a bat at. We don’t have to deal with the various ways in which the alleged victims made themselves available to Kelly. One young lady gave a detailed account of how she would sneak out of the security and safety of her parents’ home to go be with Kelly. Through all the tears and allegations and the call to #muteRKelly, I still found it difficult to join in for the call to take up arms against Kelly, and the music which defined his career.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith used her platform, Red Table Talk to explore the details surrounding the docu-series and to comfort and empower these women and others like them. She asked the pertinent question: “Why are R. Kelly’s music sales increasing?” This is in contrast to the many men that have been taken down by #MeToo, including producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey.
The burning question: Why is Kelly different? A chilling reply: Kel- ly’s perversions aren’t news to Black America. We saw this with Aaliyah, and sadly her story foreshadowed these tales from the crypt. The lyrics “Age ain’t nothing but a number, going down ain’t nothing but a thang” rang loud in the ‘90s and unfortunately are still true in 2018.
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