Taraji P. Henson Pissed Off Twitter When She Compared R. Kelly To Harvey Weinstein
Essence is reporting that Taraji P. Henson went ahead and stepped in a big ole’ pile of shit after she tried making some kind of a statement about the #MuteRKelly movement, comparing it to the reactions against Harvey Weinstein. Did trying to compare two devils to see which is worse turn out well for Taraji? Nope!
Taraji posted an Instagram Story showing her going through some hashtags on Twitter. She found a ton of #MuteRKelly associated hashtags meant to dissuade people from listening to R. Kelly’s music and giving him money he doesn’t deserve. But she couldn’t find any for #MuteWeinstein or #MuteHarveyWeinstein which to me makes sense since he is not a singer. This stumped Taraji, though, who then posted a thinking emoji and captioned it “Hmmm.” Which would be what everyone looking at her social media would be asking themselves after seeing her post.
Weinstein of course has been charged and accused of a bunch of sexual crimes and is still going through legal proceedings and may be going to jail forever after surrendering himself to NYPD last May. He also had to step down from his company. Meanwhile, R. Kelly only just got dropped by his record label.
Twitter thought Taraji was trying to make a point that because R. Kelly is black he’s getting more attention than Harvey, but Twitter wasn’t into that comparison:
NO part of your career is worth defending R. Kelly. He should be muted and canceled. Period. People love to forget that Weinstein is on trial. One of these days we are going to stop using what white people can get away with as our standard of justice and humanity.
— Preston Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) January 22, 2019
1. Why would “Mute” apply to people who aren’t in the music industry?
2. Weinstein has several documentaries coming about his allegations.
3. Weinstein is also going to trial over his allegations.
4. Between Taraji and Erykah “What Men Want” is a no go.
pic.twitter.com/DLzvq32VKy— M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) January 22, 2019
I love me some Taraji but GIIIIIIRRRRRLLLLLLAAAAAAAA. Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/qBtYuwpio0
— sie (@NOPussBoys_) January 22, 2019
The producer of the Surviving R. Kelly documentary dream hampton also got herself on Twitter to come after Taraji:
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.
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 22, 2019
Plus, you don't really care about Weinstein, you just want silence around R. Kelly. Taraji, like me, is from the generation whose job it was to deal with R. Kelly 20 years ago. We didn't and countless girls were harmed because of our inaction. So I made #SurvivingRKellly
— dream hampton (@dreamhampton) January 22, 2019
Clearly Taraji had to clarify because there is no benefit to siding with R. Kelly right now, ask Erykah Badu:
LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!! ???
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) January 22, 2019
If that caps-lock doesn’t spell “Damage Control” I don’t know what does.
The lesson here is when you have a controversial opinion, try keeping it to yourself, maybe? Or test it out on a smaller audience; a dinner table, a group message, anywhere you won’t be getting global attention for your potentially stupid and offensive commentary. Next time just give us some shadily-suggestive hands actions, Taraji! You’re way better at it.
Pic: Wenn.com