Justice is served. 

When R&B singer Robert “R” Kelly was convicted and found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault, it was a pivotal moment in the ‘Me Too’ Movement—particularly for the numerous Black female victims whose lives were turned upside down. 

“The evidence is overwhelming, so a failed conviction would mean a total failure of the legal system to administer justice fairly and the release of a sex offender,” Avi Stein, junior, said. 

In 2006, activist Tarana Burke used a phrase that grew into a global social movement, known as the ‘Me Too’ Movement against sexual abuse, and people began publicizing sex crimes allegations. It was created to provide resources and paths of healing for those affected by sexual violence. Kelly’s conviction was a significant step in the right direction for the movement. 

“The number of women and men that have been sexually assaulted and harassed and have been silenced for too long are finally getting their stories out through the ‘Me Too’ Movement. By publicizing the awful sexual assault stories that people have gone through, maybe we can finally put an end to the disgusting things people think they can do to others,” Lydia Aklilu, junior, said. 

Many were startled that several of the accusations against Kelly date back to 1994, with some building up over the past 25 years. Due to his fame and money, Kelly was able to avoid these alleged crimes until they resurfaced years later.  

“I think that the ‘Me Too’ Movement is important in society because it brings awareness to these issues in society. We need to make this known, and I think it’s bringing a lot of positive awareness,” Anna Wolfe, freshman, said. 

Following the verdicts, many advocates pointed out that the conviction would not have happened without Black women bravely coming forward to share their experiences. With Kelly’s trial, activists are furthering their push to ensure that survivors have the resources necessary for healing and that their voices are heard. 

“Everything about this story is about Black women and girls. And it’s never been about Kelly,” Jamilah Lemieux, award-winning writer and cultural critic, said in an interview with Lifetime television.  

Kelly’s conviction not only sheds light on the systemic silencing of survivors but also showcases the power of celebrity influence and serves as a small win for a decades-long battle.