Proud Black Men Promote R. Kelly Boycott
Posted Jun 23rd 2008 9:00AM by Carmen Dixon
Filed under: BlackSpin, R. Kelly

The not guilty verdict in the R. Kelly case triggered a wide range of reactions. For some it was sheer disbelief and disappointment.

For others, it was relief that the justice system "worked" for a black man. In any case, there haven't been any notable, organized protests from black men about R. Kelly's behavior on that nasty tape - until now.

Dr. William Jelani Cobb, a Spellman College history professor and author, is circulating a petition many are citing as an overdue rallying cry to African American men; asking them to stand as protectors of the community. The petition is called, simply: Statement of Black Men Against the Exploitation of Black Women. ...


First, Cobb points out the lack of accountability on the part of R. Kelly and his music buying supporters:

But there is no doubt about this: some young Black woman was filmed being degraded and exploited by a much older Black man, some daughter of our community was left unprotected, and somewhere another Black woman is being molested, abused or raped and our callous handling of this case will make it that much more difficult for her to come forward and be believed.

And then Cobb suggests that black men must assert themselves as protectors of black women:

This is about more than R. Kelly's claims to innocence. It is about our survival as a community. Until we believe that our daughters, sisters, mothers, wives and friends are worthy of justice, until we believe that rape, domestic violence and the casual sexism that permeates our culture are absolutely unacceptable, until we recognize that the first priority of any community is the protection of its young, we will remain in this tragic dead-end. *snip*

As a black woman, I feel my heart swell when I read this. As I see it, Cobb has thrown down a gauntlet for black men, and some are picking it up. At the time of this post, there are nearly one thousand signatures on the petition.

But then again, maybe I've got it all wrong. What do you think? Is it about time black men stand up and speak out in defense of black women and children? Or do you think R. Kelly was found innocent; so just let it go and move on.?
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1. Wow, as an African-American female I have to say that I'm really proud of this brotha and the brothas who signed this petition. I didn't see the tape because frankly, I don't want to see ANY adult man having sex with a minor. And I think we all knew R. Kelly wouldn't be found guilty due to his money and status in our community. But regardless of him being cleared of these charges I'm proud of brothas for stepping up and demanding that the rape and violence against their sistas come to end. These men obviously doubt R. Kelly's innocence and so they're doing something about that and that makes me proud to call them my brothas.

Dija at 1:06PM on Jun 23rd 2008

2. I for one although I think R. Kelly is tremendously talented, have never bought one of his CD's. And I never will based on his behavior in the past with Aliyah and the other things that have come out about him. He needs to "STEP" his azz off the scene. He is a pervert and needs help. I don't care what the jury said.

Who? at 1:13PM on Jun 23rd 2008

3. I think it's a shame that he does not pay anything. It was not a blow up doll he was having sex with. It was a young woman. Whatever the payoff was, should never be enough. I hope that girl's family will be able to live with the guilt that they let his money do whatever he wanted with their daughter. Let's pray she will someday be able to look in the mirror and realize her mistake in not coming forward so that we won't do it again. Because you know he will!

BklynDiva at 4:38PM on Jun 23rd 2008

4.
where was the protest six years ago?

jocelyn george at 5:46PM on Jun 23rd 2008

5. Hello Board,

When I first heard the verdict (aquitted of all charges)!" I felt sick to my stomach. 'm totally disappoint with the outcome of this case. It' appears to be open-season on our youth. All you need for a get-out-of-jail-free-card is a few million dollars!

I am completely lost for words."

Rozlyn Ratliff at 6:07PM on Jun 23rd 2008

6. I will never buy another R. Kelly CD ever again!"

What is justice????

Rozlyn Ratliff at 6:22PM on Jun 23rd 2008

7. I was wondering If R. Kelly have stock with black spin.. My comment did not post!"

For once, I'm at a loss of words."

Rozlyn Ratliff at 6:27PM on Jun 23rd 2008

8. I'm outraged with this verdict!" First Micheal Jackson and now R. Kelly. It seems that are you need is a few dolllars for a Get-Out-Jail-Free-Card.

Our youth are not for sale!!!!

Rozlyn Ratliff at 6:31PM on Jun 23rd 2008

9. The man was found innocent just as OJ Simpson was, yet we complain about the justice system not working and when it does we are not satisfied. Were any of you there in any of these cases when the acts occurred? I don't think so, however, here we all sit judge and jury, forgetting that both OJ and R Kelly will have to stand before their maker and answer for what they have done on this side of life. Let it go people, black men if you belive as the brother that is cirulating the petition for you as African American men to step up to the plate and stand up for us as African American women then sign the petition and really act upon what it stands for. Don't buy any brother's CD or music that is degrading women, especial our African American woman. Let the white entertainment companies know that you as black men will not tolerate the casual disregard for Black women that this society is spreading. You can call OJ and R Kelly guilty, but what about you---by condoning the behavior in your actions. How many of you brothers have treated sistas the way these men not only in the entertainment business, but the sports world as well. How many of you have abused, cheated on, degraded, talked about, etc a sista. These women who look like your mothers, your daughters, your sisters please think about your own actions before you point fingers, because they always point back at you. Get on the bandwagon and signed the petition to make African American men count for something that is morally right.

Wanda at 7:02PM on Jun 23rd 2008

10. I find it interesting that twelve members of a jury viewed the tape and acquitted R. Kelley of all charges and now our Bothers want to protect us from him. Where were you just a few weeks ago when the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were all over the news detailing their abuse of minor children which has gone on for years. Not one person sent around a petition regarding that. Are you for right or just denigrating a Brother?

Flowerchild at 9:27PM on Jun 23rd 2008

11. i just blogged about this as well. I am a black man who was shocked and nauseated when i heard the verdict. As far as i am concerned, this is an issue of preserving humanity and community. It is also a Black Feminist issue. What message is this sending to our boys and girls? It knots my stomach. As a dj, no one will hear me play R. Kelly until he comes correct, though its not like i was playing his music before anyway.

i also salute the responsible and super real black men who wrote this statement, and modelled what responsibility to our communities and should look like.

in solidarity and love,
richard
http://fem-men-ist.blogspot.com

richard of fem.men.ist at 9:31PM on Jun 23rd 2008

12. ...that last sentence should read "responsibility to our communities and sistas."



richard of fem.men.ist at 9:33PM on Jun 23rd 2008

13. I'm all for protecting our community and/or black men, but some need to be cut from the community, especially R-Kelly. This guy is an obvious pervert and thanks to money and lawyers, he has a chance to take advantage of another minor. He should be incarcerated and/or put in a hospital for help. I don't understand why someone would make a comment about the church of latter day saints. thats a religious issue, not a racial issue. We need to support and protect OUR race and community but most importantly, we need to CHANGE the mind set of our race. Stop blaming the police for us being incarcerated and instead, stop doing things and putting ourselves in situations to get incarcerated or have the police bother u.

Paul Adkins at 12:14AM on Jun 24th 2008

14. Spare me Flowerchild! We need to police our OWN and stop calling it DENIGRATION when they are called on the carpet for their wrongdoing! I am SICK of people downplaying the sickness in our communities by pointing at some other non-issue we should be distracted by! The LDS Church could give a hot damn about black folks and we have a bigger problem in our OWN neighborhoods and churches that need to be cleaned up NOW!I applaud this action and the black men that are standing up for black women!

deeloveleeone at 2:52AM on Jun 24th 2008

15. first of all where was the petition six years ago is a dumb thought, because 1) there WAS outrage expressed six years ago, and 2) if the law handles the situation properly - then all is well and the guilty are punished end of story. but this story will continue,is continuing with this new album of his, and black women of ALL people are his biggest supporters. this is downright shocking! he urinated on a teenage girl, after marrying an underage age singer. and got caught with illegal pornographic pictures of teenage girls in florida. what the hell is going on here? this is an absolute no brainer! he is a child molester caught on tape. my sista's please stand up for your own dignity and respect, demand it for yourselves. and for wanda you miss the point, the issues you point our are fair but these are two mutually exclusive issues, don't blur the lines. when people stand against wrong, and they are correct in there stance that is all that matters. if king was cheating on his wife does that negate his absolute correct stance on civil rights and women issues. besides the MEN who wrote the petition are principled brothers who ha ve been in the community dealing with these issues foe years. jelani cobb for example stood with the students of spelman when they protested nellys tip drill video. and there are many other examples of this behavior by the original authors. and as for others who may sign on and have pasts that are flawed, so what human beings are deeply flawed beings, but that doesnt mean they can't he shouldnt molest the cfhildren of my community, and i have a problem with this blatant attack on our children!! wanda do care about this young girl at all? or the other girls not on tape? molesters don't stop, they can't. what if the next child god forbid is someone you know or are related to, or how would you feel if the victim was your child, would you write such things, did you even see the video?

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/06/23/proud-black...204785348x1200212430

THANKGOD! There are STILL a few of us who have not lost our morals/values/dignity and will stand up for our daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and other female members of our family. In other words, thankgod a few still got some damn sense! This is a joy. I thought hip hop had kidnapped the "e" in rape...then called it rap. Cuz that's what it feels like every time you see a video with our own young BLACK MEN degrading, debasing, humiliating, devaluing our young black women for the price of a video. They do not understand....we were already bought back in the day[that's over with!]....there will NEVER be a dollar amount to express our worth to this country..and to this WORLD...unfortunately, many many young black folks just don't get it. Which is too sad. However, this is definitely "refreshing" to hear....and um...it kinda keeps hope alive for who we REALLY are as a people....as a legacy.

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