#MeToo movement for Black women: Why R Kelly's conviction upholds intersectional justice for sexual assault survivors

R Kelly’s case has been widely viewed as a crucial moment for the #MeToo movement, serving as the first high-profile trial since the national reckoning around sexual misconduct to feature a powerful man whose victims were primarily Black women The woman was taking a nap when her phone began buzzing — and buzzing and buzzing: A verdict had been reached in the trial of R Kelly, one of the biggest names in R&B music. “I’m happy to FINALLY close this chapter of my life.” But whether Kelly’s trial and conviction represents a broader shift toward better treatment of Black victims of sexual abuse is still unknown. “I didn’t even know that the #MeToo movement was for us, Black women,” singer Sparkle said in an interview after Kelly’s conviction. “I don’t think that bodes well for the overall treatment of Black girls and women who’ve been sexually violated.” She added, “If we need this level of sexual predation to get an acknowledgment that Black women and girls are enduring a disproportionate amount of sexual violence compared to the broader population, I think that’s actually a really sad sign.” But the cultural climate has also shifted dramatically since the allegations against Kelly first began to surface.