Opinion | Tonya Russell: R. Kelly's defenders are telling vulnerable Black women they don't matter. - NBCNewsTHINK
I was lucky enough to be awarded an academic scholarship to start college, but it wasn’t sufficient enough for my family to cover the entire bill. Feeling stuck, I vented to my hairstylist while getting my hair done for my senior prom. To my surprise, he offered to cosign a loan for me.
The reaction tells us that vulnerable folks don’t count — and specifically, vulnerable Black folks. They must have ulterior motives or have played a role in their abuse. I didn’t want help from a stranger, even one like him who had a reputation of being a good guy. But out of other options, I reluctantly allowed him to go ahead. The loan was denied, and I now wonder if that was divine intervention, since soon after he applied for the money, he attempted to kiss me. I made sure never to be alone with him again.
Eighteen-year-old me hadn’t connected the dots. But once I understood that the offer was conditional, I was fortunate that I could ditch the creepy man in his 30s who did my hair and had a crush on me. However, had I been harmed, would anyone have believed me? Would I have been blamed for bringing the problem on myself? Would my parents have?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ex-Nissan exec Kelly wants boardroom, not criminal, trialFormer Nissan executive Greg Kelly, an American, waits in Tokyo for a verdict in his case over Carlos Ghosn’s compensation. Nearly three years after his arrest, Kelly wonders why the case wasn't settled in a corporate boardroom.
Read more »
R. Kelly required some 'girls' to get his permission to order takeout, ex-employee says'There's been times where they wanted to (leave) but couldn't because they couldn't get a ride or we couldn't get ahold of Rob,' Anthony Navarro said.
Read more »
R. Kelly Accuser Says in Tearful Testimony She Was 'Trained' to Please Singer as a TeenA key witness in the trial against R. Kelly continued her testimony on Aug. 19, detailing allegations of aggressive physical and sexual abuse when she was a minor.
Read more »
Woman weeps while testifying against R. Kelly about assaultAn accuser at the trial wept when a prosecutor asked her to read from a journal describing how Kelly allegedly beat her the last time they were together.
Read more »
Azriel Clary Vows to Testify Against R. Kelly Despite HarassmentAzriel Clary, one of R. Kelly's former girlfriends, remains steadfast in testifying against him in his federal sex crimes case.
Read more »