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This whole things has me really disgusted. Not because of R. Kelly's alleged actions, but because of the public response to it. People are laughing and making jokes, inviting people over to watch the tape, and behaving as if sex with a minor really isn't that bad. If he had committed another crime, the public's response to this whole scandal would be totally different. If R. Kelly, or whoever it is on the tape, was having sex with a young boy, would our reactions to it be the same?
On the radio that morning, one of the DJs posed a question to one of the ladies who called in. He asked "If I had a reputation for beating up women, and there was a tape out of me beating the hell out of a woman, would you still want to listen to me on the radio?" Honestly, I think that an overwhelming majority of us would say no because we, as a society, believe that a man physically putting his hands on a woman is wrong. We wouldn't want to support, in any way, an abuser. But, in my opinion, by making jokes, and watching the tape repeatedly, and making excuses for his behavior if it is him is sending the message that we will tolerate grown men having sex with young girls and that this crime is really not that serious. To me, there is no excuse for that either. If you are a grown man, then you should know better. If she looks young, then ask for ID.
I haven't seen the R. Kelly tape nor do I care to. But, if he is found guilty, I can't really say that I will enjoy his music the way that I once did. Will I continue to play it? That I don't know. I already own one of his CDs (actually two but one is a bootleg) so he already has my money. But, I can't say that I would go out and buy one of them. Like Ideal said, the man is clearly talented but I've already started to look at him and his music differently. I don't know if I will be able to enjoy it as much as I once did.
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