R. Kelly tapes
 

I have been following the R. Kelly story for sometime when the scandal first broke. I was the first to say “say it ain’t so”. I have to admit I have view the video tape and I must say it was him and if it was not that was some hell of technology that they have used.

I am going to say something that is going to piss some folks off. Two of those girls knew what they were doing (In no way shape or form I am defending him because I think he is repulsive). Trust me, these girls are far from innocent. As we know, teenage girls are not the brightest when it comes to adult decisions. Sex is a adult decision.

One might would ask are these young ladies and their families are out for the money, did someone put them put to the acts that they have committed, or finally did they really believe that he was going to make them a star and that he really loved them.

The story that I have read in Sister-to-Sister, I have felt for some of the girls that were interviewed. They were robbed of their innocence, self-esteem and others things that matter in their teenage years. But on the other hand I wanted to know how far back did the investigators did research on these young ladies background.

Charges has not been brought to R. Kelly but as a result of this allegation, a lot of radio stations will not play any of his music and some artist will not work with him. As they would say the beat goes on.

Tell me how you feel about these allegations. Should he be formally charge once the tape surfaced? What should the compensation be for those young ladies? The rule in our justice system, “We are innocence before proven guilty.” It is alright that we should pre-judge R. Kelly and stop supporting his music?

Would like to know feelings on this matter.

My question is, how much background does a 14-year old have?

Often, the offenders are teachers, coaches and of course priests. Why is it so much easier to believe that a child could give over her confidence and self-esteem to one of these offenders than a R & B star?

In some of the cases he went back to his old high school and preyed on the girls in the choir. Someone who is into music and attends R. Kelly's old school will definetly be more inclined to trust him. She, and her family, might believe that since he made it, he might be able to help her too.

And, it is my belief that he got good over the years at picking the girls who would not say no. The saddest part appears to be that indeed the families were receiving some sort of compensation from Kelly. With a messed-up family like that, its no wonder they went to Kelly for comfort-- or at least some semblance of a caring figure in their lives.

As far as the court of public opinion, l firmly bellieve in the right to know and as no charges have been filed, and none seem to be on the way, the courts do not seem to be as concerned with a tainted jury pool as it should be. Any station can protest his music or refuse to play it. And, the public is free to pre-judge him. What matters is what does, or does not happen in the courtroom. I think the prosecution has the real uphill battle because most of his past indiscretions against minors and any pending cases my be inadmissible. And so far, both Kelly and the parents of the girl on the tape are denying the legitimacy of the video.

R. Kelly was on WGCI (the largest urban radio station in Chicago) making a plea for us to continue to support him. (I believe some religious leaders were going to boycott his music until the situtation was resolved. ) Supposedly his lawyers wont let him comment on the issue but he did say that hs ex-manager is trying to get back at him for some mess that went down. But not ONCE did he say wether he was guilty or innocent. I thought that was interesting. Personally I refuse to listen to his music because I think the allegations are true. I've heard TOO many incidences of him prowling around a high school on the southside and frankly I believe them. :(

I also believe that the allegations about R. Kelly are true too. I am from Chicago and I have always heard about the happenings that involved him way before this happened. It makes me sick to even think about what he may have done to young girls. Is your game that weak that you have to prey on the young girls?:confused: Whether the actions that supposedly took place were consented or not, it is still wrong! -Yemaya-

The other morning on the Russ Parr morning show they were disucussing this. Olivia Fox asked the question why are we, as Black women, so quick to jump to "Oh she knew what she was doing. She ain't no average 14 year old. She's fast or too expereienced for it to be his fault. She probably went after him." Would you (a generic you, not any specific poster to the thread) feel her level of innocence was relevant if this were her teacher, or coach or priest or neighbor or step father?

Statuttory rape is not about consent. Not in the way we think of consent amongst adults. It is not a question of whether or not she said yes give it too me Arrrah, but whether she was even capabele of making that decision for herself in a rational manner. The law preupposes that below a certain age we are not prepared mentally or emotionally to make these choices. OF couse young people make these choices everyday but the belief is that an adult had the ability to unduly influence that choice so for her to do it with another 14 year old is not he same sitaution as a 34 year old man.

As far as R. Kelly is concerned- I have not seen the tape. My best friend has an she felt that either it was him or his long lost twin. If it is a fake they deserve an Oscar for special effects. I do think it is a shame that her family will not cooperate if it is true. The idea of selling your child's body is sickening to me. Like the paper in Chicago said, any parent who will not cooperate in the prosecution their child's abuser is abusingt hat child themselves and should be charged. Unfortuantely with out a complaining witness, it will be very difficult for prosecutors to do much about it.

well well well
 

I saw the tapes (there's 3). And those girls knew what they were doing ( i learned a thing or two) and beliveve me there is some kind of background present! I feel that charges need to brought against R.Kelly because of his status in the music industry he is able to do just about anything with anybody. I think that if he is jailed then it might be a lesson for other child molesters. (sp). Since he is such a good artist I will continue to listen to his music but, I won't buy it.

Greeting to sisterfriends of Zeta Phi Beta

Does it really matter what experience those CHILDREN had? As a public school educator (Middle School)-- I see alot and there are some experienced children out there no doubt-- but they does not give anyone the right to become sexually involved with them....

It is truly sad when adults are willing to make excuses for anyone clergy, rappers, and just the man off the street...

like Kimmie1913 said I think our comminity we often blame the wrong party:(

Being a man, I am going to agree with the majority of the posts on here. Sometimes, we go to far and insult ourselves by defending people who should make greater efforts to be above reproach. I coach middle school and high school athletics, and as a coach, there is a wealth of trust invested in me. I have to be above just about anything. Just as has been already pointed out, statutory rape is not about consent. It is about abusing trust and authority in most cases. I refuse to blame the 14-yr old.
R Kelly is talented. Nevertheless, I am inclined to believe the rumors, as they have been circulating for years. He seems to really have a fetish for underaged girls. The fact that he is a married father (a fact he went out of his way to keep under wraps for years, probably for career reasons) makes the whole thing look sicker. I also happened to read at www.bet.com that the girl in question is a niece of Sparkle, his former protege. Now if that isn't an abuse of responsibilty, I don't know what is.
If indeed the child's family is refusing to cooperate for financial reasons, I agree; they are just as guilty of abuse as the Kelly. The bottom line is this: the sooner we hold our own stars accountable, the better for us as a race. If all this is true, I hope they lock him up and throw the key away. Our children have enough to worry about already, and need not be bothered by perverted singers who take advantage children to satisfy their sick urges. Half on a baby is cool, but half on a baby WITH A BABY is criminal!

Half on a baby is cool, but half on a baby WITH A BABY is criminal![/B] !!!:) LMAO
TRUE

I heard that there is some new info out. Anyone heard anything?

I too have seen the videotape or at least one of them, and like someone said earlier unless home boy has a twin we didn't know about, the guy in the video is definitely R. Kelly. Beyond him though is a bigger issue because certainly he isn't the only man that has faced criminal charges for sleeping with minors. A lot of men think it's okay to date and sleep with young girls. Let's face it alot of these so called "little" girls these days look like grown women and unfortunately have had life experiences of grown women. We live in a society where young ladies are forced to grow up way too soon and often times are taking on grown up responsibilities before they are old enough to even drive a car. With the state of the "family", media images etc. young ladies grow up in this world with little self value and poor self esteem. They think it's cool to get attention by a grown man, and these idiotic men instead of being the "real" men and level headed leaders that they should be in our communities, they choose to walk around on the prowl thinking with their pants. What's wrong with the guy who rather get with a 15 year old than date women his own age, what's wrong with a society that pats men on the back and call them pimps when they do so...older men have always been praised for liking younger women....and what the heck is wrong with these parents who refuse to do anything it takes to prosecute a man whose stolen their young child's innocence???

Well, all I got to say about the situation is this everybody is so quick to point fingers at who, but Being that R. Kelly is an adult and he has the power to say no, whether or not the girls came on to him or not. He should have been the better man, put them in their place, and sent they little fast tale home. Cause I know there are some teenagers out here that will try their best to seduce a man, but men need to stop being so weak. If he is actually the person on this tape and these females are indeed minors--then I say yes lock him up. Because he know better!!!!

CJUS, I agree. If he is guilty, he should be treated like a child molester. He used his adult authority to take advantage of a child.

The radio jocks down here made a joke out of R. Kelly's song "Fiesta" The chorus line was Molester (sp) Molester, Molester MOlester. I was LMHO. At first I was like who is this trying to come up on R. Kelly's song. Then I listen to the words.

But Law has it, a person is innocent until proven guilty.