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I Was Labeled A “Fast” Girl, Then My Uncle Started Molesting Me At 10 Years Old
15th, January, 2019
Like most of you, I watched the “Surviving R Kelly” documentary with my mouth wide open, my blood pressure up, and tears in my eyes. I have known that the Pied Piper of R&B was a creep for years but to hear all of the different accounts of abuse he put women through and to hear him say with pride, “I am handcuffed by my destiny, it’s too late, they should have did this sh-t 30 years ago” really sent me over the edge. More than anything, I am tormented by the silence that protects and permits rape culture in the African-American community and makes our girls prey.
Rape Culture is the excusing and normalizing of rape and sexual violence in the media and specific cultures. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language and behavior, the objectification of women’s bodies, and it glamorizes sexual violence. In my opinion, it is the total disregard for women’s rights, respect, and safety.
Before it had a name, rape culture had a huge presence in the African-American community. Its existence is not just cases of strange men manipulating and victimizing women and girls; rape culture is very present in Black families also. I don’t know if it grew from male dominance before slavery or if it was onset by the abuse and rape that accompanied slavery. However, at some point, the objectification of black women became such a thing in our community that none of us is safe, especially not adolescent girls.
One of the most disgusting things about sexual violence against our girls (aside from the act) is that many times people find a way to point fingers at the victims. Growing up, I heard adults talk about “fast girls” but I never really knew what caused girls to get this label. It wasn’t until I became known as a fast girl myself that I began to understand the ignorance surrounding the term.
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