https://www.cbsnews.com/news/renee-graham-on-if-black-women-will-have-their-metoo-moment/
In the recent weeks, we have seen allegations about R&B singer R-Kelly in regard to sexual harassment. This article written by Renee Graham talks about how R-Kelly has been facing sexual abuse claims for years but his music is still being played and his concerts are still being attended. This raises the question, are black women easiest to discredit?
Graham gives the examples of how Harvey Weinstein came forward and publicly denied the sexual assault claims by Lupita Nyon’o and Salem Hayek. He denied those allegations because it is easy to discredit women of color. The #MuteRKelly movement shows exactly that. No one has really paid close attention to the allegations or done anything about it because the women coming forward do not have celebrity status so it’s easy to pass over it.
Another point she made in regard to the black community is the sense of feeling responsible to uphold black men’s reputations. Singer Kelis recently came forward about the abuse she endured from rapper Nas. She immediately faced backlash about “waiting until he was successful” to come forward.
Why do you feel in the black community there is a sense of responsibility for the reputation of the black man?