Before I start this blog post I just want to say that this will be a very heavy subject and can be very triggering to some people, so I wanted to make sure I put a trigger warning.
Over the break some of you may have seen the 6 part documentary entitled "Surviving R. Kelly". If you haven't, R. Kelly is a very famous R&B artist who has faced many allegations of having sexual relations with minors for decades and was even caught on tape doing so. It is well known that he married 15 year old singer Aaliyah at age 27. The documentary discusses the very awful things he has done in his career while also focusing on his victims' stories including his wife and many other women who have come forward about being abused by him as minors. The documentary has opened up many conversations in the black community surrounding sexual violence and why it is that when many black girls come forward they aren't believed. Furthermore, it has made people question why they still support his music, and called other male musicians into question for their behavior with young girls.
I remember watching that documentary and feeling so disgusted and not being able to understand why someone could feel comfortable doing such terrible things. The conversations surrounding this have been very enlightening as well. I have seen so many people say things like "These girls are dumb" or "They shouldn't have been going along with that." or "Why did it take so long for these girls to speak out?" I think an important thing to keep in this conversation is that these are young impressionable girls who were brainwashed by someone who is seen as a legend in the black community. R. Kelly should ultimately be held responsible for his actions as he is a grown man who shouldn't be engaging in relationships with minors. Maybe it took so long for the girls to speak out because they were afraid of being judged, which is exactly what some people are doing.
As far as connecting this story to American history, it can be connected to countless stories of American influencers who have used their power to manipulate teenage girls. For example, R. Kelly married Aaliyah when she was 15 which is very similar to when Oliver Vanetta Lynn married Loretta Lynn when he was 21 and she was 16. It is disturbingly common how often American entertainers have relations with minors.
Surviving R Kelly
Oliver and Loretta Lynn
KADAR: Robert's soul is tainted because of things that have already occurred in his life.
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