'Surviving R. Kelly' Documentary on Lifetime Details Sex Abuse Accusations

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/arts/music/surviving-r-kelly.html

By Jacey Fortin

For more than two decades, the R&B singer Robert Kelly, who performs as R. Kelly, has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse.

This week, a six-part documentary on Lifetime is taking an expansive look at the allegations against Mr. Kelly, a chart-topping artist whose history has invited extra scrutiny in recent years.

The series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” includes testimony from several women who accuse the singer of abuse, as well as commentary from Mr. Kelly’s critics, including the founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, and the singer John Legend.

The six episodes, each an hour long, cover the long history of allegations against Mr. Kelly. They feature women who described being controlled or abused by him, often when they were teenagers, as well as associates and relatives of the singer.

In addition, a private screening of the documentary was shut down by threats last month. The series itself was devastating. We must do better in general, and by girls and WOC in particular.

[Takket]

1. i've never understood why R. Kelly is just given a free pass.............

I've been aware of the allegations against him for YEARS but he's never faced and charges or arrest.... and some of the details are quite HEINOUS. In this current climate especially where careers are destroyed (and rightfully so by the way!) for things a lot less heinous than what R. Kelly has done, he still flies under the radar.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. Same reason guys like Weinstein and Cosby were.

They're talented and powerful. In addition, black men assaulting black women and girls can sometimes be seen as a "black problem" that white people can't, shouldn't or aren't interested in talking about. But in the era of #MeToo -- which was started by a black woman -- it's vital that society sees this problem as systemic under male power, not a niche issue.

[Siwsan]

2. I watched the whole series, last night

Which was probably not smart because, well, damn. As someone who was the target of a serial molester, when I was a child, what I viewed is haunting me, and probably will for quite a while.

What shocked the hell out of me were the parents who, even AFTER so much had come out, decided to let him take their very talented young daughter under his 'tutelage'.

And I strongly suspect that there were some pay off's issued, before his trial, to the family of the young girl who was on that tape. Also, the clip of the juror was very disturbing. My gut said there was something very hinky going on with that guy. Must have been some good acting to get him past Voir Dire.

The man is very talented - no question about that. He is also very a very demented and dangerous man. It will be an interesting situation to follow, but I have no doubt it will end badly for him, and for others.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. I'm sorry the series held extra weight for you.

Tarana Burke tweeted some thought about survivors watching:

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/tarana-burke-offers-advice-survivors-watching-surviving-r-kelly

There will always be people who make excuses for bad men. We need to talk about why and how we can stop it.

[Siwsan]

5. Thanks for the link

Watching that, and dealing with the upcoming 4th anniversaries of losing my sister (Jan 9) and mom (Feb 4) is making for a bit of an emotional overload.

Deep breaths.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Be good to yourself. Thinking of you.

[Anon-C]

6. Great post, WG.

I'm speechless after watching it.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. More links to resources and support for survivors:

https://cropper.watch.aetnd.com/cdn.watch.aetnd.com/sites/5/2019/01/svawguidepdf.pdf

[kimbutgar]

9. I've watched the first 2 episodes...why is this rapist mf'er not in jail?

For years I’ve heard the rumors but seeing these young women tell their stories is outrageous. I hope he is arrested ASAP.