Taraji P. Henson faces backlash after comparing R. Kelly to Harvey Weinstein
Article via PageSix
Taraji P. Henson sparked outrage and confusion after she compared the use of the #MuteRKelly hashtag to #MuteWeinstein and #MuteHarveyWeinstein.
In since-deleted Instagram story posts, the “Empire” star called out the lack of posts calling for the muting of the disgraced Hollywood mogul, who is set to stand trial in May for sexual assault; however, the #MuteRKelly hashtag went viral after Lifetime’s docu-series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” which followed the stories of several victims who accused “The World’s Greatest” crooner of sexual abuse and predation.
Confused Twitter users came forward to call out Henson, who they believed missed the entire point of the hashtags.
“So if mute Weinstein had just as many posts as Rkelly would that change Taraji’s opinion I’m confused,” asked one Twitter user.
“‘Mute R Kelly’ is an actual campaign with an accompanying hashtag. There is no such Harvey Weinstein hashtag so there’s no point to be made here, Taraji. As if Weinstein still has the public’s support. This is disappointing af.
Even the executive producer of “Surviving R. Kelly,” Dream Hampton, chimed in on the conversation.
“No idea why Taraji Henson wouldn’t know that there are not one, but two projects abt Harvey Weinstein. But this is an oft-invoked deflection. While I care abt the Hollywood stars Weinstein abused, I care more abt Asante, Kitty, Jerhona, Lisette, Azriel & Joy & others, even more,” Hampton tweeted. “Plus Weinstein is on trial. For rape.”
Another user compared Henson to Erykah Badu, who over the weekend seemingly defended R. Kelly’s actions.
“Erykah Badu reduced R.Kelly’s crimes to ‘poor choices’. Taraji P. Henson made a false equivalency between him and Harvey Weinstein. The aunties are really exposing their internalized misogynoir, and I can’t deal,” tweeted another. “Black girls deserve better.”
Eventually, Henson tried to clarify the message her Instagram stories were intended to relay.
“LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!! ,” she wrote.
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