A startling new documentary produced by the BBC tries to uncover the truth behind R&B star R Kelly’s alleged abuse of underage girls that stretches back over two decades. 

Always controversial for his explicit lyrics, he was very popular during the 90’s when I was a teen. Most of his songs weren’t my style, but I did like “I Believe I can Fly” which was from the Space Jam soundtrack. 

Throughout the years, there have been persistent rumors that his lyrics were influenced by his unconventional lifestyle—a marriage to singer Aaliyah when she was only 15-years-old, a highly publicized trial that charged him with taping a sexual encounter with another teen girl and urinating on her (he was acquitted), and numerous public appearances with very, very young girls as part of his entourage. 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, sources who were willing to speak on camera claim it’s worse than anyone could’ve imagined, detailing a horrific nightmare that includes girls being held in a virtual harem inside his Chicago home, locked in rooms, beaten, kicked, punched, slapped, starved, and raped. And we’re not talking about one girl, or one incident; this involves tons of girls and tons of unwanted contact. 

Quite frankly, I am shocked and disgusted that R. Kelly has been able to act so openly, without fear of repercussion, year after year, victim after victim, with few authorities taking an interest. Just like Bill Cosby, he has been able to operate as a one-man abuse factory, terrorizing girls around America, while still earning millions of dollars and enjoying celebrity status. 

I don’t know if it was the failed prosecution that prevented more court cases, or a lack of concern because the victims are overwhelmingly black and poor, but it’s absolutely evil and needs to be stopped now. 

In some ways, because he is basically practicing slavery, R. Kelly’s crimes are even worse than Bill Cosby. While Cosby’s victims have suffered tremendously, and I am not downplaying that for a second, none were held in long-term captivity. 

We are supposed to have safeguards in place to protect the vulnerable from predators. One of the most mind-boggling parts of the documentary was hearing a lady say that R. Kelly routinely picks up teens at McDonald’s, shopping malls, and his old high school. This is a fifty-year-old man! Everyone should be extremely creeped out by such inappropriate behavior. 

We have to stop, as a society, worshipping fame and allowing celebrities to commit crimes that average people can’t get away with—especially serious, violent ones that cause lifelong damage for victims. There is more than enough evidence to bring charges; let’s hope someone is brave enough to file them soon.