The Black community’s favorite aunties have been showing their a*s lately in the name of R. Kelly. Neo-soul songstress Erykah Badu and actress Taraji P. Henson both recently voiced their opinions over the current R. Kelly accusations.
In a recent Chicago concert, the “Bag Lady” singer expressed her love for the Pied Piper of all things creepy.
“I don't know how everybody else feels about it, but I'm putting up a prayer right now for R.,” she said. “I hope he sees the light of day if he's done all those things that we've seen on TV that those ladies talk about.”
Similarly, the Empire actress took to Instagram last week to ask why there’s no “mute Weinstein” hashtag (hint: maybe it’s because he doesn’t make music).
Both celebrities faced immediate backlash from social media, and singer Sparkle, who appeared in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries, is having no parts.
Sparkle's niece was allegedly the young girl seen in the infamous "pee tape." Following the comments made by the two women, Sparkle heavily critiqued them in a recent video. She explained that he doesn’t need unconditional love, rather tough love. (We vote no love, but OK, sis.)
Sparkle said that too often the Black community is forgiving to those who do not deserve it, and responses such as Badu’s contribute to the silencing of victims.
“There are girls who are still out there who want to speak up, who won’t speak up because of things like this,” she said. "And because of people like her who are saying we need to love and things like that…As a Black community, we too often are very forgiving."
She spoke on Henson's silent IG video as well.
“Why are we comparing?” asked the "Be Careful" singer. “An abuser is an abuser is an abuser…Weinstein is up for a rape charge, and R. Kelly is hopefully going to do the same, you know. Be up for something."
"It was just disheartening as a Black woman to another Black woman to just say, do the comparison thing and kind of just like, whatever with the victims, almost," she continued.
“Look, if we need to take everything down, let’s take it all down.”
Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.
Now check this out:
Taraji P. Henson Speaks Out After Seemingly Criticizing The #MuteRKelly Movement On Instagram
