The Tragedy Of
The R. Kelly Acquittal
R. Kelly said he believes he can fly in one of his hit records, and he has done just that. After six long years, he was found not guilty of 14 counts of child pornography in a Chicago courtroom on Friday.
In my opinion, Kelly is the latest in a long line of celebrities to fly off to freedom and escape without being brought to true justice. From O.J. Simpson to actor Robert Blake, celebrities can kill their wives and get away with it. We live in a star struck celebrity judicial system were jurors are swayed by wealth and power.
This verdict was personally devastating to me. I, along with others who have been the victims of child molestation by adults we trusted, truly believed that Kelly would be brought to justice. I was almost too emotionally overcome to even write about this verdict. But, I know that it is important that those who have been abused not allow ourselves to be victimized with shame and guilt our entire lives. Someone has to step out the shadows with some courage and conviction and be a voice for those who have been abused as children.
Kelly was acquitted of all child pornography charges, despite several witnesses who testified that he was the man on the videotape.
Kelly, who married the late singer Aaliyah when she was only 15 years old, has had to settle several out-of-court law suit settlements involving young girls and their families in Chicago. The prosecution based this latest case on a videotape in which a man who appears to be Kelly has sex with a young child and then urinates in her face.
Several witnesses and family members also came forward and testified in court that they knew the victim, who they stated was only 13 years-old at time the tape was made. I was not in the courtroom for the trial, so I did not personally see or hear all the evidence. However, in my mind Kelly was guilty and should have been taken down for what many people believe he did to that child. This verdict sends a horrible message to young black women that their lives, welfare, and protection from pedophiles are not a priority in society.
I want to personally thank Minister Bamani Obadele of Chicago, Donald Baker, Pearl Jr., Jasmyne Cannick of Los Angeles and other activists across the nation for their coverage of this issue. During the past six years we lead protests against Kelly all over the nation, and I believe it was worth it. If black parents and leaders can’t take a stand to send a message to our children that their lives are precious and valuable, who will do it for us?
This blog is dedicated to all youth who have been sexually taken advantage of by adults they trusted and loved. I pray and hope that God gives us justice one day, because the R. Kelly jury certainly didn’t.
Najee Ali is Executive Director of Project Islamic H.O.P.E, a national civil rights organization that advocates for the human rights of oppressed people regardless of race, gender or religion. He was selected by Wave Newspapers and Our Weekly Newspaper as one of the 25 most influential black leaders in Los Angeles. More information is available at: www.islamichope.org.
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