Just a few days short of the one month anniversary of R&B singer R. Kelly’s acquittal, an online petition calling for the boycott of anything the singer touches has begun to gain momentum.
The petition which was put together by a number of black male writers including Dr. William Jelani Cobb calls for the boycotting of the singer/songwriter among other things. In signing the petition black males are asked to make a personal pledge to never support R. Kelly again in any form or fashion, unless he publicly apologizes for his behavior and seeks help for his long standing sexual conduct.
Titled “Black Men Against the Explotation of Black Women,” the petition launched just days after the verdict was read and is fast approaching 2,000 signatures. Despite the fact that Kelly was found “not guilty” after years of trial delays and record breaking album sales organizers say this is more about the black community as a whole, R. Kelly is in some ways “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“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.”
What do you think, would you or did you sign the petition ?
John 8:7
Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her
Sophie
8/15/2008 2:58:25 PM
You people are insane. No woman is complaining about R. Kelly loving and taking care of them.
However Lisa Raye and millions of other black women are being destroyed by foreign black creeps and you don't even talk of boycotting those islands.
tiffany
7/31/2008 11:20:32 AM
this one is for prayin woman. What are you smoking? That's some bad stuff for you to come up with that theory!
Thomas
7/22/2008 7:15:17 AM
When they said OJ is not guilty you people went crazy of happines but when R.KELLY found not guilty,you get mad. I don't understan? Don't be a hater
tina jones
7/21/2008 8:17:11 AM
How dare you spend valuable time trying to destroy your own brother R. Kelly who has done harm to NO ONE. There was no complaining witness because NO HARM was done. You don't care about that girl or any black girl. You only care about R. Kelly's money that you covet.
It was only a short time ago that girls of 13 married and had babies. Your grandpa and his peers are all child molesters according to the dumb sex laws passed by the lesbians of today who want all the women for themselves.
All these serious issues and you waste valuable resources and energy on this, while your brothers are locked up a million strong as prison slaves. Do you have an ounce of intelligence.
You couldn't hurt our rappers, and you can't hurt R. Kelly. Give up N word. We'll be buying every record he makes until the end of
D. Jones
7/20/2008 11:21:51 PM
In a democracy the presumption of innocence is supposed to mean something. What is frightening about this petition is that it assumes "guilt by accusation." As a lawyer and Professor it was clear to me that there was no evidence against R. Kelly. I don't know if has a problem or not, but I know no evidence was presented in court. The petition people are really engaged in is creating moral panic. A moral panic is fear generated to gain power. MCCartyh called people communists and became powerfulas their savior. Jabri calls R. Kelly a moleser of young women and seeks power for himself.
R. Kelly was convicted and demonized by the media in their typical rush to judgement. Black men are particularly vulnerable because of psychosexual stereotypes. We cannot join in Jabari's denmagoguery because it would combine racism with a lack of christian values- treat others as you would want to be treated if someone accused you of something.
Anonymous
7/18/2008 5:18:58 PM
They need to get a life and leave R. Kelly alone. They need to worry about THEMSELVES, and these HIGH GAS PRICES! Obama for President!
mykee b
7/14/2008 1:41:51 PM
i hope all of you guys vote in november! we have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more important things then this people!
Praying Woman
7/13/2008 2:01:53 AM
R. Kelly and Satan have a lot in common. Satan's job in heaven was CHIEF MUSICIAN. If you listen to Kelly's music, you would know that he is a musical genious. I am not surprised he got off. As long as he serves satan, He will obtain wordly possessions. He call's himself the Pyde Piper (not sure how to spell...) I believe the pyde pyper was some type of children's story book character that whenever he'd played his flute, everyone would stop what they were doing and follow him. Ummmm.... I believe Kelly is possessed by a satanic spirit that enables to him to create music that no matter what he does, people will follow him. I have found myself bopping too it and hating him at the same time!!!!!!!!! Satan was the chief musician. Satan was made out of pipes. Satan has taken music and perverted it and Kelly is just an instrument in Satan's orchestra.
Catherine
7/12/2008 2:06:24 PM
i support k.kelly 100%.it is giving for a man to you to have sex for money and etc.but awoman hasto refuse.i think a relative or stepdad,close of family was having that girl.because of the little shape.mens now days date womens to get close to the daughter.some women move them in easy excess.parents be parents stop pimping children for your drug use.or buy food etc.
Denise
7/11/2008 12:31:15 PM
How can we judge R. kelly when we were not there. I would proudly stand tall with him even if he was guilty because only God can judge us. How many of us have skeletons in our closets? He was found not guilty so let's believe in our justice system while we can and stop prejudging people on what you hear. Go R. Kelly I believe you can fly.
Diaa
7/11/2008 4:31:36 AM
Yes, I'd be proud to sign the petition. Happy to hear about it!
Valerie
7/10/2008 8:28:52 PM
It's ridiculous to boycott one recording artist based on a fetish for females of a younger generation. There are thousands of men who have similar taste who have not been caught in their acts. It is time, however, for many young women to command respect for themselves by not willingly participating derogatory and self-defacing activities, rather it is with a celebrity or a "regular joe".
trevorswifey
7/10/2008 5:53:56 PM
Wow, people really need to leave R.Kelly alone.Nobody boycotted Michael Jackson or anyone else who was put to trial over child molestation so why start with him?They had no proof that it was him & the girl was lying & was only looking for money.He was aquitted of all the charges so get over it!And if he did do it then the parents should be in trouble right along the side of him because why in the hell would you let you minor child stay with a 30+ man,its like what the hell is wrong with you!?
All I know is that everyone needs to leave him alone & find somneone else to protest against-possibly someone who was actually found GUILTY!
I got respect for R.Kelly & I will continue to support him.
vincent
7/10/2008 2:38:54 PM
This man is greatly talented and should be left alone after he has been found not guilty.He his far so demonised that sometimes I wonder why the same kind of treatment was not meted out to people like Elvis presly who had numerous under age girlfriends and actually married prisicilla at 15
harryo
7/10/2008 10:51:17 AM
The cops who beat Rodney King half to death were found not guilty too. A good attorney who can string out a case for years can usually find a guilty person innocent. I work in radio and none of the folks at our station will be playing any more R Kelly. A lot of people posting on this site are missing the fact that R. Kelly isn't the average joe so he has a greater responsibility to avoid irresponsible acts with impresionable fans, especially teenagers who will do anything a star asks them to do. Don't forget about his relationship with underaged allyaha
AnonymousWoman
7/10/2008 3:45:12 AM
This is nothing but a publicity stunt! Whoever started this mess needs to get a life and leave R. Kelly alone! You don't know a damn thing about him, and he was found NO GUILTY of ALL charges. The jury had watched the tape OVER AND OVER, and the ex-plaintiff from the case was NOT the girl on it! They were 2 different ladies, and there was NO proof! They should've started a petition on WHY SOME MEN KEEP IMPREGNATING WOMEN AND NOT PAYING THEIR CHILD SUPPORT! Why are they riding on R. Kelly's d***? He's innocent, and you need to get over it! He is NOT the problem when it comes to black women. I'm waiting for Kellz to put his foot down on ALL of those broke-a** bastards! Go start a petition on George Bush on WHY THESE GAS PRICES ARE SO DAMN HIGH and WHY ARE ECONOMY IS MESSED UP!
P.S. Keep signing it, and you going to realize later that this is all a hoax!
jaykaybee
7/9/2008 9:19:26 PM
To hell with the pervert. i hope all of you who make excuses for the pervert, have your own 16 year old children and siblings raped. Nasty asses! this is the nast man who married young ass Aaliyah. I signed the petition!
wayne
7/9/2008 9:01:22 PM
what was not allowed into the trial as evidence is the fact that kelly has come to terms financially with three other under age girls and their families for this same type of of behavior. this is not a first time thing for him. yes there should be a boycott and yes the girl's parent's should be held responsible also. the fact remains that he is a predator pedophile and he needs help.
KELLY ROBERTS
7/9/2008 8:43:48 PM
BLACK PEOPLE CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES MORE WISELY. YOU DIDNOT PICKET MICHAEL JACKSON,50 CENT ,JAYZ.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS BLACK MAN LIKE ANY OTHER AMERICAN HE USED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH HE HAS A RIGHT TO DO .WHY DONT YOU SO CALLED BLACK MEN RALLY TO GET IMUS OFF TV (AGAIN) OR DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER, THE THING I LOVE ABOUT R.KELLY ASIDE FROM HIS TREMENDOUS TALENT IS THAT HE IS A SURVIVOR.TO WHITES CREDIT NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO THEY SUPPORT EACH OTHER BLACKS DONOT.R.KELLYS INDICTMENT WAS BASED ON MEDIA RATINGS AND POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.FIND SOMETHIMG MORE CONSTRUCTIVE TO DO WITH YOUR TIME R.KELLY IS ALREADY A VERY RICH MAN SO YOU IDIOTS WILL NOT HURT HIM FINANCIALLY.YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO STOP HIM FROM BEING SUCESSFUL BECAUSE THE BUYING PUBLIC DETERMINES THIS NOT YOU AND NOT ONLY DOES R.KELLY HAVE A LOT OF BLACK FANS ALSO WHITE,SPANISH,JAPANESE.SO GOOD LUCK ALL YOU HATERS WILL DO IS SUCEED IN DIVIDING BLACKS FURTHER
WAKEUP
bee
7/9/2008 8:34:04 PM
HAVE U NOT HEARD HIS SONG W/JAYZ!! NOT GUILTY!! LET IT B. HE'S NOT THE ONLY MAN OUT THERE WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF CHILD MOLESTING. WHY ARE YOU NOT OUT THERE PETITIONING AND GOING AFTER THE 1'S WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY. AND DON'T JUST STOP AT THE AFRICAN RACE!!!!
J
7/9/2008 7:09:47 PM
If she was did as young as they say she was, then her mother and father should have been on trial too!! It is the parents first responsibility to protect their children until the age of 18 from all harm. The reason this is as big as this is, is because he is R. Kelly. If he did it, he is dead wrong, but that wasn't proven. To boycott him after the system let a black man loose is ridiculous. We need to support one another because it is not often a black man goes free for anything. He got off so let him be. If you don't like him, don't support him. YOU are one person and 2,000 signatures is not going to affect a pioneer like R. Kelly. He has done a lot of for the music industry and he is an amazing talent. Black people always want to kill each other instead of supporting one another. That is the downfall in our communities, not this.
ann
7/9/2008 5:10:06 PM
connecting this to R. Kelly is wrong. He was found not guilty. people need to follow the whole story. No one made her go. I am a believer in justice but women need to take responsibilty for their actions as well. We all need to look into why was she there. Who dropped her off and Why did they do that? They are just as guilty as anyone else if she was as young as they say she was. People please begin to think about what our personal role in a situation may be!!!
angeliclady
7/9/2008 4:57:29 PM
Why do we as a black family not support our black celebrities. As soon as the "not guilty verdict" is given to us, we are still not satisfied. We continue to badger our race on negative images portrayed upon us. I guess we would have accepted it better if he was guilty. No different than things about Michael J. O J and others just to name a few. The system does work and be happy when it works for us instead of always feeding into the negativity of the information perceived from the media. I do not know R Kelley personally and I doubt if anyone here does. I was not there to see this and neither was any of you!!!. As far as the tape is concerned. Tapes have been altered since the beginning of TV so that is another myth about the tape issue. I am just fed up with individuals always going against our black celebrities with negative vibes. If he is guilty GOD will be his judge....not man...
Pooh
7/9/2008 4:55:09 PM
I agree with many of the women on here. It starts with self respect. Those young ladies should have been taught that at home. Whether Kelly preyed on this girl or this girl gave it up easily, she was taught nothing at home. Where the hell were her parents?!! Why wasn't mom or dad questioning, where is our daughter today, evening, etc?? The boycott doesn't make any sense what so ever to me. People are going to buy his stuff regardless. How many people honestly think about what he's done when they purchase his cd?? How many men who are signing this petition have done the same thing he's done before? Yea when you was 19 & you chased those little 14yr olds in high school...same thing people. Its the same damn thing! You took advantage of a minor. Doesn't matter if you meant well or not.
BLKSLANTEDEYE
7/9/2008 4:26:32 PM
AYE, I THINK KELLS JUST TRYIN TO GET HIS NUTS ON, DIDN'T REALLY CARE NUTHIN BOUT DEM YOUNGIN' BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT TO GET PAID TOO, AND + THEY WERE DOIN WHAT HE WANTS THEM TOBE DONE SO IT IS WHAT IT IS YO!!!!
SHIT IF THAT WAS ME I'LL GET MY ROCKS OFF TOO!!!
SOBOY CUTTIN DON'T BOUT THAT THOUGH!!
senegal
7/9/2008 2:46:30 PM
i support this guys boycottin r.kelly cuz its nat the first time he is involving in this kind of s*** pleaz kelly u must stop it
tiffany
7/9/2008 2:19:30 PM
I think this is very stupid! The man was found not guilty!!! No one can throw stones because we have all sinned! We live in a sinners world! The focus should be on what lies a head for the american people for President! Wake up people! Our black sisters need to start respecting themselves and love themseleves! This is something that is tought in the home buy parents! Where was this girls parents? This is called harrassment! If I was R. Kelly I would sue these people!
stacy
7/9/2008 12:28:08 PM
I think R kelly is guilty as f__ck! The man is sick and need some serious help, and all you people that support that molester are just as sick! Come on my people get real!
Queen
7/9/2008 11:18:57 AM
I think all this going on about supporting our black sisters need to start with our sisters. How do women expect men to respect them if they don't respect themselves. As long as they continue to act as they do they will be treated as such. My grandmother always said it's not what they call you it's what u answer to. So if you feel as though your not a b****, s***, whore, or anything else they call you then carry yourself that way. As for the R. Kelly thing, he's not the first or the last person to disrespect a female. If people would've had this same reaction when the early hip hop groups was disrespecting women then it wouldn't never got this far. So if your not going to buy R. Kelly music, how about you don't buy anybody's music, cause it's all disrepecting women in someway.
AfricanQueen
7/9/2008 11:12:18 AM
What the hell is all this rubbish for?
Why can't Kelly be left alone?
Diva
7/9/2008 10:51:46 AM
The girl on the video was a willing participant. "Age difference intercourse" happens every day. Mr. Kelly should not be singled out and boycotted. Respect for women begins in the woman, so let's teach our young (and not so young) ladies that instead of not supporting one of our own. Because if the girl on the video had respect for herself, she wouldn't have done such acts.
A Wise Person
7/9/2008 10:15:36 AM
All I can say is "He who is without sin, cast the 1st stone" We have all sinned and has fallen short, and if people rallied for every sin that you committed, how many pettition will be out there about you? The verdict is in, only God can handle it now. There is so much you can do for this world as black men, or black people, but you choose to try to put your own down, and uplift others.... Its a sad world when black men, try to keep other black men in jail. Allow them to be father's to their children, husband's to their wives, and just a provider. I say it's a waste of time, but if you feel better doing this, then go ahead. Regardless, he will continue to sell out stadiums and people will flock to him because of his music. good luck, and please " sweep around your own front door, before you try to sweep around mine"
Tony
7/9/2008 9:52:57 AM
Why are we like this? who have not sin? he has a prayer for u haters......The winds, the rain
The storm
The weapons that are formed against us (I will survive)
The trying times
The sleepless nights
Just know that faith is with us (and I believe yeah)
Through all of the hills
And valleys roamed
That we must come to (woah)
Walk side by side
Follow the light
And we'll make it through (We'll make it through yeah)
I like this guy. come what may i will alwas be his N01 FAN.
holla to NIGERIANS out there
bigred
7/9/2008 9:15:23 AM
The verdict is in. shut up and get a life. The man is a genius, support him and pray for him, if he did anything, he has to meet his maker just like we do. Save our children, help protect our country, try and be better people so we can love one another and not hate. there is so much we can do other than try to destroy people. There is a sister out there name Syleena Johnson who sings like an angel lets support her music, she is spiritual, and a whole lot of soul, The media has not given her a chance help a black sister out. God Bless Us all.
