
Taraji P. Henson Criticized For Comparing R. Kelly And Harvey Weinstein
January 22, 2019 - 5:14 pm by VIBE
Taraji P. Henson is under fire after she appeared to compare the backlash and response surrounding the sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein. Henson seemed to question why Kelly was being slammed more than Weinstein, and Twitter users were not happy about her argument to say the least.
Henson shared her thoughts on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday (Jan. 22). She shared a series of videos, first of her looking up the hashtag and fan pages under "Mute R. Kelly." To no surprise, she found a handful of pages advocating for the complete dismissal of R. Kelly.
I love me some Taraji but GIIIIIIRRRRRLLLLLLAAAAAAAA. Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/qBtYuwpio0
— sie (@NOPussBoys_) January 22, 2019
She then searched for similar tags and pages for Weinstein, but was unsuccessful. She also looked up pages under his full name to no avail. Henson then shared an emoji along with a simple "hmmm." The message suggested that she was confused as to why Weinstein and Kelly – both of whom have been accused of sexually abusing dozens of women through their career – were not receiving the same backlash. It appeared her argument regarding the discrepancy might have something to do with race.
Twitter users were not persuaded by Henson's thesis however. Surviving R. Kelly show-runner, dream hampton promptly responded to Henson's story, saying, "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." Others criticized the actress for not acknowledging the black women and girls who had allegedly been abused by Kelly throughout the years.
While there may not be pages about muting Weinstein on Instagram, the Hollywood mogul is facing consequences for his heinous actions. Weinstein was forced to step down from his company, and he was arrested in May 2018 and charged with "rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for incidents involving two separate women." He later made bail but was mandated to surrender his passport and wear an ankle monitor.
Check out the Twitter reactions to Taraji P. Henson's comments below.
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
All of us watching Taraji’s instastory pic.twitter.com/VbcmMY3t7U
— Kayla Marie (@Maria_Giesela) January 22, 2019
TARAJI IS SO EMBARRASSING I HATE HER pic.twitter.com/tnm4HcMeAP
— fads (@azuIair) January 22, 2019
Yall.....Taraji P Henson done lost her entire mind....I... pic.twitter.com/8CuLCy19h2
— future librarian ♏️ (@blkbravado) January 22, 2019
Harvey Weinstein has been booked, charged, etc. the purpose of #MuteRKelly is to silence his music. For him to be held accountable for his actions. I really need taraji to know better. Unbelievable.
— Krissy Brierre-Davis (@krissys_kitchen) January 22, 2019
Taraji is dumb ass bricks. She really tried to compare mute R. Kelly hashtags to Mute Harvey Weinstein! News flash, Taraji, Harvey is about to go to trial. There are people willing to testify against him. His businesses and career are DONE! R. Kelly is still out here functioning!
— Where Is Yo Scoota? Where Is It?! (@AshleyShyMiller) January 22, 2019
Taraji, why? pic.twitter.com/6a4CenaNg3
— Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) 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 wanna have a conversation about women Taraji's/Erykah's age and their obsession with "being a man's peace/shield/sponge because society brings them down enough" but I've already hit my 1 thread a day limit.
— Alive Girl (@_ItsMarisWorld_) January 22, 2019