Back in July, Buzzfeed News reported that R. Kelly was the leader of a sex cult, manipulating young women into relationships with him, and then controlling every aspect of their lives. We have since seen R. Kelly make a half-assed denial of these claims, more than one victim come forward, and a Georgia official call for a full-scale investigation against Kelly.
R. Kelly has a sordid history with young women that dates back to 1994, when he married a then 15-year-old Aaliyah. And now, a few lawsuits, a child pornography trial, and two decades later, we have heard even more tales of abuse from the singer.
Most recently, Kitti Jones, who dated Kelly from 2011 to 2013, has come forward to speak on her abusive relationship. In an interview with RollingStone, Jones tells her story from Kelly “training” her on how to please him sexually to living with “the girls he raised,” from physical abuse to asking permission for something as simple as using the bathroom. Kelly even used starvation as a punishment for not following his many rules. It’s disturbing (to say the least) but what’s more disturbing is that we’ve heard it all before from other women who have been enticed into Kelly’s inner circle. And now the Internet is asking one question: What are we going to do about it?
Why aren't people alarmed by what's happening here? Where's the outrage over any of this? https://t.co/17VN0B8bia
— Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) October 24, 2017
Kitti Jones is extremely courageous, and I hope that her words will mean that it's finally time to shut out R. Kelly for good. https://t.co/VZ492DiiCH
— Pam Voghoul (@pamela_vogel) October 23, 2017
Me every time somebody comes forward about R. Kelly and people keep giving him a chance pic.twitter.com/AG8QMm9Jym
— FreshFaceHoney (@TheeOnlyOciera) October 24, 2017
An adult woman who worked in hip-hop fell under R. Kelly's spell. Victims can be truly anyone. We must protect all victims
— Sowmya Krishnamurthy (@SowmyaK) October 23, 2017
when will people start taking THIS seriously? https://t.co/E52SDOXMX4
— witchy gal lex (@hernameislex) October 23, 2017
since we R deleting abusers can we finally get R. Kelly the eff outta here? like if you support him in 2017 unfollow me and delete yourself https://t.co/rYrfr3egZe
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) October 23, 2017
why we haven't cancelled R Kelly as a community is beyond me the guy has literally been abusing black GIRLS for years & we still step.
— GHANA'S FINEST (@Ghanasfinestx) October 24, 2017
So when y’all gone come for R. Kelly the way y’all did Harvey? Because I’m waiting. It’s LONG overdue. pic.twitter.com/sNX2Kgrv26
— JonPaul (@DoctorJonPaul) October 23, 2017
I saw virtually no opposition to any accusers of Weinstein on the TL.
Cosby & RKelly defenders still choosing that hill to die on though. pic.twitter.com/CKGM5CS0rV
— Mac. (@MacAndCheeks) October 24, 2017
Wondering if this Weinstein moment will make a difference — any difference at all — in R. Kelly’s ability to operate in the music industry.
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) October 20, 2017
Cosby, Weinstein, and now @rkelly. Vile as it is what these men are accused of, I’m happy to be alive when they are exposed. #shitbirds
— Jimmie Whisman (@WhismanSucks) October 24, 2017
Side note: #Sh-tbirds is now my official hashtag.
With women and men in Hollywood speaking out about abuse in the industry, most recently with Harvey Weinstein and his sexual harassment of young actresses, it may feel like the world is one big dumpster fire that we have to put out. But there is some hope that it can change. If we keep bringing attention to the issue, if we keep calling out men who are sexually abusing women, we can change the cycle.