Chance The Rapper Initially Didn’t Believe The R. Kelly Victims Because They Were Black Women
Chance The Rapper is getting eviscerated for an interview that aired during the “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary.
Before the final episode of the four-part special aired on Lifetime, Rolling Stone posted that a clip from an interview done by our brother site Cassius would air featuring Chance admitting grievances to Jamilah Lemieux.
In the interview Chance, who brought out R. Kelly in 2014 at Lollapalooza and who collaborated with the singer on “Somewhere in Paradise”, told Jamilah that he’d made a mistake.
“Making a song with R. Kelly was a mistake. I didn’t value the accusers’ stories because they were black women,” said Chance. “I made a mistake.”
But that’s not all Chance said.
In the full interview, Chance added that while black women are “higher oppressed”, there’s hypersensitivity to black male oppression—which is why he had his doubts. He also added that victims who get the attention of this magnitude or usually light skinned or white.
“We’re programmed to really be hypersensitive to black male oppression, but black women are exponentially higher oppressed and violated group of people just in comparison to the whole world,” said Chance. “Maybe I didn’t care because I didn’t value the accusers’ stories because they were black women.”
“Usually, n****s that get in trouble for s*** like this on their magnitude of celebrity, it’s light-skinned women or white women. That’s when it’s a big story. I’ve never really seen any pictures of R. Kelly’s accusers.”
“I made a mistake and I’m happy that those women are getting voices now and I can grow to understand better what my positioning should be or should’ve been when that opportunity came.”
Both Chance and Jamilah have cried foul over the Rolling Stone article and said the quote was taken out of context.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) January 6, 2019
FYI, I conducted the interview with Chance in May. He spoke clearly and unequivocally in support of BW and the victims. https://t.co/uhTZT9TvEA
— Jamilah Lemieux🖤 (@JamilahLemieux) January 6, 2019
Still despite that, the “didn’t value accuser’s stories” line is getting Chance dragged by people who couldn’t believe he thought that way—in particular, because he’s the product of a black woman and has a black daughter.
A product of a black woman did not believe black children were raped SOLELY because they were black. Not for any other reason but hatred for black women.
U don’t get kudos for finally realizing how trash that is.
— J. Holiday’s Gucci Jacket (@eleven8) January 6, 2019
What the headline should have read is: Despite Chance the Rapper having a black daughter and fiancé he discounted the victim’s stories because they were black women. He now regrets making music with a sexual predator because it is bad for his brand. https://t.co/9TMFiNqkdn
— Ariel Hazzard (@ArielHazzard) January 6, 2019
Should Chance be given credit for trying to absolve himself of his past bias—-or is it too little too late?
Anyone mentioning that I have black women in my family is deliberately missing the point. Regardless of the proximity of beneficial BW in your life, or being black yourself, we are all capable of subconsciously discrediting BW and their stories because its indoctrinated.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) January 6, 2019
We’ve spent three days (some of us, many years) talking about how BW and girls are discredited and ignored. Chance admitted to doing so at 21, 22 and folks are bent on attacking that. I wish more folks had the courage to admit that they had to unlearn their bias against us.
— Jamilah Lemieux🖤 (@JamilahLemieux) January 6, 2019
Not everyone’s upset with Chance.
Last thing before I dip: I'm glad Chance The Rapper told the truth. I'm tired of Black Men and White folks gaslighting us. They don't believe us BECAUSE we are Black Women. He said it outright–stated a nasty truth that is killing us in every arena from childbirth to DV.
— Octavia Butler knew… (@Nikyatu) January 6, 2019
Damn near everyone you love from Chicago was on board with R. Kelly for years after Aaliyah and after the tape. I was an outlier feminist weirdo for disliking him. It means a LOT to see anyone admit they were wrong about him.
— Jamilah Lemieux🖤 (@JamilahLemieux) January 6, 2019
I’m not defending Chance’s decision to do the record. I’m not absolving him of the sins of his past. I’m acknowledging his contrition and supporting his efforts to learn and do better. I thought that was the goal: men stepping up and doing better.
— Jamilah Lemieux🖤 (@JamilahLemieux) January 6, 2019
Chance you're trash @chancetherapper 1 in 3 women are sexually abused. You have a Mom, Daughter and Fiancee….just a thought 💡
— BRITNEY WALDRON (@BritneyWaldron) January 6, 2019
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As a woman, I don’t always believe accusers until there is evidence because a simple accusation can ruin someone’s life, but not valuing the accusers stories because they are BLACK women when you’re a BLACK man with a BLACK daughter and a BLACK fiancé?! @chancetherapper https://t.co/fmwzrH2Kso
— India March (@IndiaMarch) January 6, 2019
So…. @chancetherapper what makes black women's abuse testimonies unbelievable /unworthy of attention to you ? pic.twitter.com/uT1HDk0ZTI
— Still Bangtan (@pjmxculture) January 5, 2019
Never will I support Chance the rapper!That comment set me over the edge. So, because the women were BLACK, there was no value! Sick of these Black men that create this stigma that BLCK WOMEN are not worthy! FUCK YOU AND FUCK ANYONE ELSE THAT FEEL THE SAME! #SurivingRKelly
— KolorPop Designz (@KolorpopDesignz) January 6, 2019
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