The musical talent of R. Kelly is not in question here and in terms of his diehard fans, they are obviously ignoring the charges against him. Downloads and streaming of his music spiked at the same time he was in jail. To his fans, he is a hero, and that should concern all of us. So, why R.Kelly’s journey of abuse must matter is he preys on underaged women who adore him.
Criminal Sexual Abuse
In February 2019, the law finally caught up with Kelly and he was arrested on multiple charges of criminal sexual abuse. The accusations stemmed from the testimonies of four women in cases going back to 2003. Said Lanita Carter, his former hairdresser:
“I was sexually abused by him and I live after that. I try to pick up the pieces every day. It’s hard but I know I’ll get through it. I’m not ashamed of my past anymore.”
In recent interviews, Ms. Carter has graphically detailed what was done to her. There is no need to review her comments except to say that the DNA evidence she submitted was unmistakably from Kelly. In addition, she apparently received cash bribes from the singer in the amount of $650,000 to not disclose any details of the encounter. He was so bold as to write up his sexual exploits against the hairdresser in a song.
What caused Carter to come forward was a CBS interview where R. (Robert) Kelly defended himself from accusations that he had sex with underaged women. The women were attracted to Kelly allegedly because they thought they were going to be his proteges. Not surprising, the women defended him with an almost cult-like passion. Despite the evidence against him, Kelly dismissed the accusations as “claims.”
The combined accusations against Kelly have landed him in and out of jail, most recently his arrest for non-payment of child support.
It Must Matter
Whether entertainers, athletes, politicians or any other type of celebrity, it is essential to separate the public persona from the real person. We live in a society and at a time where celebrity is so celebrated, we refuse to acknowledge what we instinctively know.
Robert Kelly’s convictions for sexual abuse, harassment and pornography go back to at least 2002. The 52-year-old entertainer is hardly a child, and yet he is treated by his fans as a truculent, troubled and misunderstood artist. There is apparently a great avoidance in calling him out for what he is, a serial sexual predator.
His defense is not all that much different than the defense of Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Anthony Weiner or other serial offenders. What he shares in common with the other men is money, power and an entourage of apologists.
He is protected and insulated by money, and he will buy the best legal team possible and undoubtedly, he will survive despite the mountain of accusations against him.
Kelly carries all of the elements of sexual abuse and fraud with him. As a powerful person, he felt his behavior was without consequences. He carries a great deal of power, especially with vulnerable young women. He was a predator and seized upon the opportunity to take advantage. His need was sexual and it was power. As far as rationalization is concerned, he can easily convince himself that the women were all willing participants despite being either underaged or in positions where their defenses could not be corroborated or that it mattered.
Why R. Kelly’s Journey of Abuse Must Matter
Despite his history of sexual abuse, parents seemed willing to let their underaged children hang out with R. Kelly and his entourage. Adults need to step up in these times and reinforce what they know all too well: an on-stage presence is not the off-stage person. In that regard, parents and guardians must remain parents and not friends. It is not acceptable for an underaged girl to live with a 52-year-old sexual predator.
Kelly’s journey of abuse matters because of women matter. He will assemble his stellar legal teams as have others before him. They may get him completely exonerated. However, those he leaves in his wake will be forever damaged. They, not R. Kelly, are the victims.
