#MuteRKelly Is Working
R. Kelly taught me about sex.
It was his music-his sensual ballads and the explicit music videos that accompanied them-that provided the soundtrack to my own sexual awakening as I transitioned from my salad days into adulthood in the ‘90s.
But in February 2002, a new Kelly video surfaced. It became known infamously as the R. Kelly Sex Tape.
Like other curious R. Kelly stans, I watched the 27-minute recording that featured sexual intercourse between R. Kelly and three seemingly teenaged women; one in particular appeared to be well under the age of consent.
Suddenly, lyrics to songs like “It Seems Like Your Ready”-in which Kelly croons “Now come here a little bit closer / Don't be scared, I'm not gonna hurt you”-would never quite read the same. The words betrayed me, and those girls. I had not realized the subtle ways they had sanctioned my own encounters as a young teen dealing with much older men. My infatuation with Kelly came to a full stop.
Four months after the sex tape surfaced, Kelly was indicted by the state of Illinois on 21 counts of child pornography. However, the “Bump ‘n Grind” singer would not face trial for another six years. Kelly’s cunning legal team, which had delayed the trial through a series of motions and continuums, eventually managed to sway a jury into finding the singer not guilty due to reasonable doubt. Fans accepted his exoneration and continued to support him. And industry favs-including Lady Gaga, Bryson Tiller, Chance The Rapper, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu-would go on to collaborate with him.
But stories of Kelly's relationships with underage women continued to follow him.
In July 2017 Buzzfeed published an exposé alleging that Kelly has been holding women against their will in a “cult.” Several women came forward in the article, accusing him of mental, physical and sexual abuse. The singer denied all claims made against him.
Now, whether or not Kelly manages to avoid prosecution for these latest charges remains to be seen. But the tide is turning for Kelly. And that’s all thanks to two black women.
Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye created #MuteRKelly, a grass-root movement focusing on preventing the artist from violating more women and shutting him down for good. Though the campaign had a slow start and drew criticism in its early stages, it has since gained traction: #MuteRKelly has successfully cancelled 10 R. Kelly concerts and impacted the ticket sales of others. The duo also launched #ThumbitDown, to erase the singer from the algorithms of streaming platforms and, in turn, Kelly’s proceeds.
Barnes and Odeleye’s early accomplishments have garnered much praise and lead to major victories. The Black women of #TimesUp, and Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, joined #MuteRKelly, bringing national attention to their mission and to the oversight of the plight of sexually abused Black girls. Together they are working feverishly to eradicate Kelly’s music from the public sphere, including getting radio stations and streaming companies to change their policies related to him.
Tell me how #MuteRKelly was born:
Oronike Odeleye: It started from allegations that Kelly was holding women hostage in Atlanta, in my own backyard-the nation's capital for child sex trafficking. It infuriated me. I researched all the [sexual misconduct] he’d been doing up to that point and began to question why he had not been stopped. Then I realized, if you want something to stop, sometimes the person to stop it has to be you. So I started a humble petition asking local radio stations to stop playing his music. Kenyette Barnes, the co-founder, saw me on the news and contacted me. She was so over this man. We got together and she brought her activist and organizing knowledge [parenthetical here about what that work was]. She created the hashtag and it ballooned from there. It's been way more than I anticipated it to be, but it is what it needs to be. It's time to cancel this man.
What is the function and overall goal of #MuteRKelly?
Odeleye: It’s meant to be a rallying cry to the Black community to discontinue its financial support of a documented sexual abuser. The overall goal is to have a total shut out of the man and his music and to clear a path for him to be brought to justice. It's most important to us that this movement come from within the Black community as we are the ones that have been shielding him from the consequences of his crimes with our continued willful disregard for the seriousness of his crimes.
What victories have been realized as a result of #MuteRKelly?
Kenyette Barnes: Ten canceled concerts, seven protests in six cities and estimated $1.2 million in lost revenue; support from #TimesUp and #MeToo. Also, while we will not take credit, the fact that four victims have come forward since this campaign speaks to the larger message that we will support them. We believe them.
In what ways specifically will you support the women?
Barnes: We believe them. One of the things that is a major barrier--especially in the black community for victims coming forward--is that they're more likely to be shamed into silence rather than supported as they stand in their agency. In a very indirect way, that's what we have been able to do. In addition, our local organizers in Detroit, New York, Greensboro, Dallas and Chicago all work in varying capacities with sexual violence prevention and recovery. We are open to linking anyone to those services, if they feel it's appropriate for them.
Why is #MuteRKelly a big deal?
Odeleye: It's a big deal because he's been operating as a predator in our community for nearly 25 years. It's also symbolic. It's important that the Black community begin to deal with the sexual assault of our young people as soon as these crimes are brought to light--and not let abusers operate in our midst for years, traumatizing and brutalizing generations of young people.
How will partnerships with #TimesUp and #MeToo help your cause? What work will be done?
Odeleye: They help amplify the message to people that have had no idea what R. Kelly has been doing for the past two decades, or have been doing their own personal protests and now see there's a concentrated movement that they can join. Their reach and resources are invaluable to helping get doors opened, phone calls answers, and responses sent to our #MuteRKelly requests. They've been amazing in helping to amplify the work that we've been doing.
Why is #MuteRKelly an important initiative for Black women?
Barnes: #MuteRKelly is the first wide scale activist movement that centers the sexual trauma of Black women and girls. For years, R Kelly's behavior has become the "dirty little secret" and the butt of jokes. Those girls and young women were subsequently victimized, largely by the community meant to protect them. And MuteRKelly, seeks to change that narrative.
Odeleye: Because Black women are disproportionately affected by the issue of sexual abuse, it's important that we find our voice and support each other in finding solutions to this problems. We can't continue to carry the shame and scars of sexual abuse alone. We need to stand up and put the blame for these crimes squarely on the shoulders of the people responsible - and demand justice for the victims that need it.
Why R. Kelly opposed to other artists or predators who are sexually violent toward Black women?
Barnes: He has been doing this most of his career-for over two decades! While sexual violence is pervasive in the Black community and entertainment industry, R Kelly's behavior is of significance due to the predatory and repeated nature of his behavior. Also, he has been protected by indifferent fans, the recording industry, promoters and high profiled people for far too long. Never have we seen the level degree of behavior among an artist go unchecked.
Is there an end goal with #MuteRKelly?
Barnes: Criminal charges, and incarceration for the current crimes, accountability from the recording industry, Sony, Live Nation and RCA for continuing to promote him. Accountability from the Industry professionals who protected him. Accountability from the attorneys who serviced Non-Disclosure Agreements and essentially profited off of the sexual exploitation of Black girls.
In what ways can people be a part of the #MuteRKelly campaign?
Barnes: Share the hashtag! Continue to ThumbItDown on streaming services. Call your local radio stations and demand that they no longer play R Kelly. Participate in active protests and actions around the country.
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