I am sure you have heard about or have seen Surviving R. Kelly, which was broadcasted on Lifetime earlier this month. This six-part series included over 50 interviews from victims, activists, musicians, to ex-girlfriends and family members of R. Kelly. Surviving R. Kelly unpacks the long history of reports against R. Kelly of abuse against young black girls and women. This watch is worthwhile and powerful because it provides a platform for the survivors to share their experiences and draws out the reality of sexual violence and how it is easily overlooked.
For decades there have been allegations on R. Kelly, and they have gone ignored. In 1994, R. Kelly forged his marriage certificate to marry R&B singer Aaliyah when she was 15, and he was 27. R. Kelly even went to trial because a video surfaced of a man “that looked like R. Kelly” molesting and urinating on a 14-year-old girl. Despite all allegations and proven sketchy and illegal behavior, this man continues to go on tours and make money. The series also speaks about the truth that black women are the most unprotected people. Black women are typically seen as strong but are often blamed for the abuse they face. Surviving R. Kelly brought up thoughts on how we are more likely to discuss that 60 percent of black women killed by police are unarmed, however, we fail to discuss the crisis of intimate partner violence in the oppression of black women.. Black women make up nearly half of female homicide victims but only 13% of the population of women in the US.
This docu-series is groundbreaking because it sheds light on so many issues from the silence on the violence against black women, to the normalization of rape culture. Through the reaction of the public, we see how a story shared can make all the difference for someone else. After Surviving R. Kelly aired, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Hotline (RAINN) reported a 20 percent increase in calls where most callers wanted to talk about instances of childhood abuse. If you still have not seen Surviving R. Kelly, I seriously do not recommend binge-watching it like you may do other shows. There are many trigger-warnings, with good reason, and detailed descriptions about the sexual and physical abuses the survivors report that can be A LOT for anyone, especially if you are a survivor yourself. I was emotional and angry, and it is likely that you will be, too. So, take it as you go, at a steady pace because it is dense.