African American

In the way that Ted Nugent is popular in the “white community,” R Kelly’s music is popular in the “black community.” They are artists facing similar allegations, both still free. Some people will comfortably separate the artist from the art (Bill Cosby? Woody Allen?).

Some will presume guilt and grab their pitch-forks, others will insist on a “fair trial,” particularly given America’s history of lynching innocent black men (Emmett Till, DeMario Jackson), and some people don’t care one way or the other.

Chance The Rapper recently said he disbelieved R Kelly’s accusers are black, thus reminding us that we too drink from America’s cup-o-racism. This is not to suggest that I ever had higher expectations of Chance The Rapper, Kanye West, Clarence Thomas, . . .

Power, race, celebrity, sex, and money have always made for a motley stew, though the modern recipe adds a helping of social media.

Wait, what was your question again?

Editing to add politics to the motley mix because Strom Thurmond should certainly get an honorable mention after raping and impregnating his underage, black house-maid without consequences. Like I said, Ick!