Time and time once more, the system has failed Black girls, and on the subject of the current allegations and case introduced towards Sean “Diddy” Combs, the sentiment isn’t any totally different.
I need to preface this text by saying that two issues could be true: my introduction to hip hop by myself phrases occurred throughout the rise of Unhealthy Boys Data within the Nineteen Nineties. There was as soon as a time once I needed to be part of the label, as a result of I assumed the power was so infectious and thrilling, a reminder that larger-than-life goals have been doable.
Regardless of rumors about his habits behind the scenes, I had lengthy admired Diddy for his capability to convey out one of the best in individuals. We noticed it by way of acts just like the Infamous B.I.G. and Mase, in addition to with teams like Day 26 and Danity Kane. Though it was evident throughout the Making the Band days that he might be slightly egotistical.
Whereas I lengthy adored what he represented when it comes to Black excellence, and the glitz and glamor of constructing it as a star, I don’t condone or assist any habits the place individuals have been harmed, whether or not it’s mentally or bodily.
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When Cassie Ventura broke her silence in November 2023, I keep in mind it vividly. I had lain down for a nap at my nana’s home throughout a go to residence to Virginia, and once I awakened, I had dozens of messages asking about my ideas on the matter.
As a Black girl, my stance will at all times be to assist different Black girls, interval. Moreover, as a sufferer of sexual assault myself, I’ve a fair softer spot for ladies who, sadly, can say they’ve skilled the identical.
I applaud Cassie and the opposite girls who’ve come ahead as a result of it’s no simple feat, and now my coronary heart aches for them following a verdict that seemingly holds this man partially accountable for a few of the vile allegations which were introduced forth towards him.
What Was The Verdict?
In keeping with CBS Information, Diddy was convicted of two counts of prostitution-related costs, with every depend carrying a most sentence of 10 years in jail. He was acquitted of the extra extreme costs, which included racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking, and is about to stay in detention as he awaits sentencing, now set for Oct. 3.
The Message It Sends To The Tradition.
It could be remiss to not talk about the greatness of hip-hop with out acknowledging a few of its darker moments. That is certainly one of them.
Regardless of how one feels in regards to the consequence of the Diddy trial, the issues heard all through the assorted testimonies, together with one from Cassie whereas she was simply over eight months pregnant together with her third youngster, can’t be undone.
For me, this echoes the priority of many ladies, Black girls particularly, who by no means converse out towards their abusers, not solely out of concern that they’ll retaliate and do one thing terrible, however when the deed is finished by a person with energy and the stature of somebody like Diddy, it’s arduous to inform whether or not justice will ever absolutely be served.
The case reinforces that highly effective males are sometimes untouchable and performs a job within the many victims who stroll round with the burden of what it means to be sexually assaulted. On the similar time, the alleged abuser continues to reside their lives, basking within the glory of what it means to be an influence participant within the recreation of life.
Whether or not that energy manifests as cash or, in my case, the hierarchy of the household construction, it nonetheless performs an element within the silence that girls typically carry with them to the very finish. One which turns into a silent killer, changing into the underlying reason for persistent circumstances like hypertension, diabetes, and autoimmune problems.
These suppressed feelings and the usually spoken and unstated expectation to be sturdy and resilient additionally result in illnesses that aren’t at all times seen, corresponding to despair and anxiousness.
With the case of Diddy, it’s arduous to say the place we go from right here, however what I do know is that after once more due to bravery of ladies like Cassie, and the ladies who’ve come earlier than her like former Def Jam government Drew Dixon who chronicled her allegations of sexual assault towards one other hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons, within the documentary on HBO Max titled On the Report.
We nonetheless have a really lengthy method to go, and I might be mendacity if we have been a step nearer to uncovering a few of the ills which can be related to males in energy method too typically.
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