That episode aired in 2005, and not much has changed when it comes to the continued accusations against Kelly. But, amidst the increasing influence of callout culture and the aftermath of Bill Cosby’s conviction, Kelly’s supporters are a lot more vocal than they may have once been. In fact, they’re so defensive that they’re indirectly answering their own question: Why do victims take so long to speak out?
January 4, 2019
Why Do Sexual Assault Victims Wait So Long To Speak Out? Take A Look At The Comments Section
Source: Chance Yeh/ Getty
By Sonya Eskridge via MadameNoire.com
That episode aired in 2005, and not much has changed when it comes to the continued accusations against Kelly. But, amidst the increasing influence of callout culture and the aftermath of Bill Cosby’s conviction, Kelly’s supporters are a lot more vocal than they may have once been. In fact, they’re so defensive that they’re indirectly answering their own question: Why do victims take so long to speak out?
September 28, 2018
Drew Dixon Speaks: 9 Takeaways from Russell Simmons’ Rape Accuser
![]() |
Russell Simmons/Drew Dixon |
At just 24 years old, Drew Dixon was a rising A&R executive at Def Jam Records at the pinnacle of rap’s rise. Under the influence of hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, she produced platinum-selling albums, arranged tours and promotions and was responsible for the classic duet between Method Man & Mary J. Blige. But according to Drew, none of her career success was enough to prevent severe sexual harassment and “alleged” eventual rape at the hands of her boss. As a follow-up to her profile in The New York Times, in an interview with Buzzfeed News, Drew detailed how she went from Stanford University graduate with NYC record label dreams, to a victim of abuse and isolation, leading to her eventual exit from the music industry altogether. Here are 9 takeaways from Drew’s story.
Continue
September 27, 2018
I Don’t Give AF That Bill Cosby Is Black, He Deserves to Rot in Jail
![]() |
Bill Cosby |
By now, we know that Bill Cosby received a 3-10 year prison sentence after being found guilty of sexual assault. Social media has been lighting up with mixed opinions on his verdict. Half are happy there was some justice and the other half are charging that the only reason his verdict was such is because he’s a black man of a certain stature and that unlike other abusers who have been accused during the #MeToo movement, he is the only one to be given any real punishment.
Continue
July 3, 2018
Tell It Tuesday: A Lesson for Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson & Those Who Victim Blame
![]() |
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Terry Crews |
By Ta-ning Connai
I use to love me some 50 Cent. Key words: USE TO. I know he got his start as one of the kings of Hip-Hop beefs, but now as a full-grown man with a bunch of kids and a whoooole lotta stuff to do, the beef he instigates on social media is RI-DI-CU-LOUS. Makes me wonder if 50 Cent will ever grow up, or will he keep acting like he's just a small dish full of loose pocket change?
The Power exec seems to take a peculiar kind of pride in trolling online conversations. The man who brought us “go shorty it's ya birfday" has taken on bullying like a sport and gossip like it's a part of his work out plan. And while most of his tweets had many of us cringing in disbelief, his most recent remarks about actor Terry Crews have many more saying, “Alright Curtis Jackson, ENOUGH!”
Continue
By M.E.
First let me say that I’m writing this anonymously. I say that because I don’t want you to know who I am. I don’t want to be judged. I don’t want you looking at me not for the person that I am, but as a Bill Cosby accuser. Bill Cosby accusers get treated like the bottom of a person’s shoe. I’m a wife, mom and person who is pretty successful and happy in her life. That said, I allege that Bill Cosby drugged me when I was 18. I don’t know if he raped me because I don’t remember what happened after a certain point. He did not ask me if I wanted drugs. I am black.
Continued
If you’ve been even semi conscious in the past few months, it would have been impossible for you to avoid the news about men, in various industries, being accused of everything from sexual harassment to rape. Things have died down a bit now; but for a good two to three months there was a new name to add to the list of potential predators every week.
Continue
Amid what's taken place lately in the media with all these men in positions of power being accused of various forms of misconduct; it has made me reflect upon myself and place my own behavior under the microscope. As an adult, I can say I’ve never compromised myself with placing a woman in an uncomfortable position. With that said, I’m not perfect neither. The recent climate of male sexual misconduct that’s been brought to light is damaging. I sincerely have empathy for the victims, women/men. And I hope there's merit to their claims. On that note, I’d like to bare my truth with you.
December 18, 2017
Let's Talk About Rape, Some More.
By Brittney M. Walker
I had been raped.
Why did men easily use that word? Why were they so quick to
apologize about it? They didn't do it. But why were women so brash? Why did
they seem so dispassionate? Why did many of them blame me for what had
happened. "Be careful out there, it's best not to use drugs." Passive
aggressive chastisement. I knew I was ingesting something that would reduce my
inhibitions. I also knew I could trust him.
December 8, 2017
Anita Hill & Our Aunties: How Black Women Help & Hinder The Fight Against Sexual Assault
![]() |
Anita Hill |
These past few months have been consumed with talk of sexual harassment. For the rest of his life, at least in the public space, Harvey Weinstein will be this generation's poster child for sexual assault and harassment. Even though he was far from the first or last man to use his power to intimidate women, he's the one who opened up the floor for everyone else to be exposed. And since his downfall, we've seen men like Matt Lauer, Al Franken, Louis C.K., Russell Simmons (and I'm sure more to come) meet similar fates.
Most women, the group who have been the most affected and impacted by sexual assault, from the beginning of humanity, recognize that this reckoning is long overdue. Finally, the nation is having very real and uncomfortable conversations. And while I think that a majority of people understand the necessary ramifications behind sexual assault and harassment: firings, oustings, loss in income, being exposed, etc.; I've learned that not everyone gets it.
Continue