Illustration by Savannah Donald/Staff Illustrator
Kameryn Thigpen
Opinion Columnist
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I am not saying that Black people do not care about the issue, it is not as talked about compared to other issues such as police brutality or poverty. The awareness is not there, and neither the desire to discuss it head on with our community. As Black women facing racism along with sexism, the struggle is never catered to in the eyes of society.
Black women are faced with the struggle of picking to advocate against sexism or racism and not intertwine the two because they are different avenues of oppression. I had this epiphany long ago but it really did not hit me until the R.Kelly scandal following the “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary.
It really shocked me to recognize this being as a sexual predator towards young girls and it made me question on why don’t we talk about sexual assault in the Black community? Is it a taboo thing that stays in the household and is repressed deep down inside a person or is it something that Black people simply do not want to acknowledge and accept?
Being a Black young lady, I have heard many times the scenario of “what goes on in this house, stays in this house” and this stigma has been a gateway for not addressing issues. Although issue that is now being brought to light since the wake of the documentary, it is way overdue. Sexual assault in the Black community does not need to just be a hot topic of discussion, but needs to be dealt with the same energy that police brutality gets.
These stories made me wonder if Black women are protecting the Black community, who is protecting Black women? There needs to be more conversation about sexual assault because every time is brought up it is met with silence and Black women deserve more than that. We deserve to have our #MeToo movement and our stories believed and supported just as much as other women do.
These conversations much be had with families, churches, friends and anybody else. Black women should not have to suffer in silence because society will not lend a listening ear.
If our own people do not believe us in our cry for protection, how do we expect the rest of society too? It simply will not be done until we start discussing about the things that matter and work to protect Black women.
