It’s Bigger Than R. Kelly

Statement of Black Men Against
the Exploitation of Black Women

From Aaron Lloyd •  Adisa Banjoko •  Alford Young, Jr. • Byron Hurt • Cheo Tyehimba • Davey D. • Dion Chavis • James Peterson • Kevin Powell • Kevin Williams • Lasana Hotep • Loren S. Harris • Lumumba Akinwole-Bandele • Mo Beasley, Jr. • Saddi Khali • Shaun Neblett • Steven G. Fullwood • Thabiti Boone • William Jelani Cobb *

Six years have gone by since we first heard the allegations that R. Kelly had filmed himself having sex with an underage girl. During that time we have seen the videotape being hawked on street corners in Black communities, as if the dehumanization of one of our own was not at stake. We have seen entertainers rally around him and watched his career reach new heights despite the grave possibility that he had molested and urinated on a 13-year old girl. We saw African Americans purchase millions of his records despite the long history of such charges swirling around the singer. Worst of all, we have witnessed the sad vision of Black people cheering his acquittal with a fervor usually reserved for community heroes and shaken our heads at the stunning lack of outrage over the verdict in the broader Black community.

Over these years, justice has been delayed and it has been denied. Perhaps a jury can accept R. Kelly’s absurd defense and find “reasonable doubt” despite the fact that the film was shot in his home and featured a man who was identical to him. Perhaps they doubted that the young woman in the courtroom was, in fact, the same person featured in the ten year old video. But there is no doubt about this: some young Black woman was filmed being degraded and exploited by a much older Black man, some daughter of our community was left unprotected, and somewhere another Black woman is being molested, abused or raped and our callous handling of this case will make it that much more difficult for her to come forward and be believed. And each of us is responsible for it.

We have proudly seen the community take to the streets in defense of Black men who have been the victims of police violence or racist attacks, but that righteous outrage only highlights the silence surrounding this verdict.

We believe that our judgment has been clouded by celebrity-worship; we believe that we are a community in crisis and that our addiction to sexism has reached such an extreme that many of us cannot even recognize child molestation when we see it.

We recognize the absolute necessity for Black men to speak in a single, unified voice and state something that should be absolutely obvious: that the women of our community are full human beings, that we cannot and will not tolerate the poisonous hatred of women that has already damaged our families, relationships and culture.

We believe that our daughters are precious and they deserve our protection. We believe that Black men must take responsibility for our contributions to this terrible state of affairs and make an effort to change our lives and our communities.

This is about more than R. Kelly’s claims to innocence. It is about our survival as a community. Until we believe that our daughters, sisters, mothers, wives and friends are worthy of justice, until we believe that rape, domestic violence and the casual sexism that permeates our culture are absolutely unacceptable, until we recognize that the first priority of any community is the protection of its young, we will remain in this tragic dead-end.

We ask that you:

• Sign your name if you are a Black male who supports this statement: www.petitiononline.com/rkelly/petition.html
  
  
• Forward this statement to your entire network and ask other Black males to sign as well.
  
  
• Make a personal pledge to never support R. Kelly again in any form or fashion, unless he publicly apologizes for his behavior and gets help for his long-standing sexual conduct, in his private life and in his music.
  
  
• Make a commitment in your own life to never to hit, beat, molest, rape, or exploit Black females in any way and, if you have, to take ownership for your behavior, seek emotional and spiritual help, and, over time, become a voice against all forms of Black female exploitation.
  
  
• Challenge other Black males, no matter their age, class or educational background, or status in life, if they engage in behavior and language that is exploitative and or disrespectful to Black females in any way. If you say nothing, you become just as guilty.
  
  
• Learn to listen to the voices, concerns, needs, criticisms, and challenges of Black females, because they are our equals, and because in listening we will learn a new and different kind of Black manhood.
  

We support the work of scholars, activists and organizations that are helping to redefine Black manhood in healthy ways. Additional resources are listed below.

Books:

• Who’s Gonna Take the Weight, Kevin Powell
• New Black Man, Mark Anthony Neal
  
• Deals with the Devil and Other Reasons to Riot, Pearl Cleage
  
• Traps: African American Men on Gender and Sexuality, Rudolph Byrd and Beverly Guy-Sheftall
  

Films:

• I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America by Byron Hurt
• Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes by Byron Hurt
  
• NO! The Rape Documentary by Aishah Simmons
  

Organizations:

• The 2025 Campaign: www.2025bmb.org
• Men Stopping Violence: www.menstoppingviolence.org
   

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* The aforementioned men are contributors to the new anthology BE A FATHER TO YOUR CHILD: REAL TALK FROM BLACK MEN ON FAMILY, LOVE, AND FATHERHOOD, Edited by April R. Silver. Only the aforementioned are signees to the statement issued above.

To share YOUR thoughts, find out more about the signees or
the BE A FATHER book, please visit the official website:
www.beafathertoyourchild.com

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Shaya: Falllen Awake

Written by Eldorado Red  

Monday, 23 June 2008

Shaya is the epitome of a dedicated determination. This rapper has persevered through a childhood marred with disappointments and hardships as the following would suggest, “Basically, ‘family’ to me was little memories of court-appointed visitation.” With that said, his upbringing may in fact not be any different from the typical rapper. However; where he does differ is his intent to be very personal on his debut, Fallen Awake, something that seems to be lost within this art of expression. Under the tutelage of Ian ‘I.D.’ Davis, the A&R responsible for Little Brother’s ascent through the independent ranks, Shaya hopes to deliver what he calls thinking man music. I recently caught up with this rapper via email to find out how he hopes to convey his music.

ER: What it do Shaya, How are you?

Shaya: I’m good fam, just blessed.

ER: What are you up to these days, any promotional tours in the works?
Shaya: Just bracing myself for this summer with the release of Fallen Awake. Besides that just staying busy in the studio fam, ‘bout to go in and work on my follow up. I am always tryin’ to stay ahead of the game.

ER: What was life like growing up?

Shaya: Life growing up was rough, but fair. I had my share of ups and downs like anyone else. ; some more than others I can’t complain though. I let some of that out in my record, of which you have been able to hear. But I’m sure I’ll be bringing more to surface the second go round. You know, getting more personal.

ER: What is Thinking Man Music?

Shaya: Thinking man’s music is the embodiment of beats and rhymes telling a story that you can listen to and relate. It’s not some ring tone, club, radio friendly stuff. Just real heartfelt and honest that the listener can take something away from and better themselves with. Not too many artists do that for their audience anymore.

ER: On “Proud,” a very sincere track, you spit “pops always said I had the talent to do it…” What did you mean by that when your past might suggest otherwise?

Shaya: Well, as you might know I have been doing music for 10+ years or whatnot. Had my share rejection and uncertainty about the rap game as does anyone else getting doors slammed in their face. I never really had anyone really close to me say they liked my music other than my father. So on Proud I threw it in there that my father always said I got the talent to do it. ‘Cause he was the only one encouraging me to keep with it and pursue my musical aspirations, which kept me from falling prey to my upbringing and or past.

ER: What was the inspiration for Speed of Life?

Shaya: The inspiration for Speed of Life was just that; the speed at which life travels is the fastest thing known to man. When I heard the beat I really dug deep into myself to say some things I been dying to say for the longest time. On that song I touched on the most personal things in my life. Being a single father, relationship with my mother (who’s struggling with multiple sclerosis and crack addiction), music being so hard to break, my personal beliefs, and opinions about the life I lead and others around me. It’s a very personal piece and I tailored it to stand out with a message as does most of my record.

ER: Are you happy with the independent situation or if a viable opportunity presented itself at a major label would you opt for the latter?

Shaya: The independent game is where I’m at right now and I feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to make something of myself and reap more of the benefits being that you see more funds and less financial constraints independently, although I would take a major label contract if given the right deal. That’s some exposure indie acts can’t get off the jump.

ER: You are from Santa Rosa Cali, yet your album has such an east coast appeal, why or how is that?

Shaya: Right. I was born in Santa Rosa, California. But was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana from the age of 2 yrs. old to 12 yrs. old so I heard more east coast records (LL Cool J, Run DMC, Whodini, Kurtis Blow) than any west coast emcees. Although I have been influenced by the east coast I am west coast to the heart. I think the east coast references come from them always droppin thought provoking music.

ER: Who would you say are your greatest musical influences past and present?

Shaya: My greatest musical influences past and present are Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, 2pac, Nas, Pharrell Williams, of course Snoop and Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, Pharcyde, De La Soul and also Jay-Z.

ER: What do you hope to accomplish with your debut?

Shaya: I hope to accomplish being heard. With just that I believe my music will speak for itself and give the people as well as the music industry something innovative, original, and honest…..Thinking man’s music.