Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson has come under fire for comparing the sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein.
In the spirit of black power, Henson wondered why Kelly was being slammed more than Weinstein, an argument R.Kelly had raised in his 2018 song, I Admit.
To start her argument, she posted a video on her Instagram Live comparing the #MuteRKelly hashtag to #MuteHarveyWeinstein.
However, social media users felt slighted by this comparison and stated that they should be made to face the law regardless of colour.
At the moment, film director Weinstein whose allegations catalyzed the #MeToo movement is on trial in March 7and is looking for a “Dream Team” defence.
From the videos, we see her looking up the Mute R.Kelly hashtags and for Weinstein. When she sees none for Weinstein, she writes “hmmm” with an emoji.
Social media users read this message as her making it a case of race.
Dream Hampton was one of those who responded to her message by saying she has
“no idea why Taraji Henson wouldn’t know that there are not one, but two projects abt Harvey Weinstein. But this is an oft-invoked deflection. While I care abt the Hollywood stars Weinstein abused, I care more abt Asante, Kitty, Jerhona, Lisette, Azriel & Joy & others, even more.”
Some Twitter users opined that she carefully neglected the black girls who had been tortured by this experience. In this regard, recall that American artiste “Common” had said that they had failed black women.
“…I’m not the one to judge him, but I’m not condoning that ever. For the survivors, I feel a lot of compassion for them. We failed as a community because we knew that these things were happening and instead of trying to resolve the situation and free these young ladies, we were rocking to the music. I’m guilty [myself], he added. I didn’t stop and speak out against it. R. Kelly is from my hometown…and I can’t condone that. We failed in our communities as black people. We should have been caring about [our young black girls].”
In response to the backlash and as a form of damage control, Henson tweeted
“LET ME BE CLEAR R.KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!.”
