Tom Joyner: “I won’t play anymore R. Kelly music!”

Tom Joyner, R.Kelly

Tom Joyner: “I won’t play anymore R. Kelly music.”

Over the years and through the numerous allegations, black radio has continued to support R. Kelly. Well, it seems like those days may be numbered. This week (April 25th), Tom Joyner interviewed founder of the #MeToo movement Tarana Burke, who promptly took issue with his support for Kelly.

Tarana Burke

Appearing on Jacque Reid’s Inside Her Story segment, Burke emphasized why she is continuing her fight against those who prey on and sexually assault women including R.Kelly, whose allegations of sexual misconduct date back nearly twenty years. She shared,

 There is a lot of work happening but we need help. We need The Tom Joyner Morning Show to stop supporting R. Kelly. That’s one of the things that would help. 

In 2006, Burke who is social activist and community organizer, began using the phrase “Me Too” on Myspace, as part of a grassroots campaign promoting “empowerment through empathy” among women of color who have experienced sexual abuse, particularly within underprivileged communities. In October 2017, the #MeToo hashtag went viral, after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to tweet if they had been the victims of sexual harassment and/or assault.

Tom Joyner

The veteran radio host, 68, showed his support for Burke stating without hesitation,

Okay, you got it. I’ll do that right now. I won’t play anymore R. Kelly music.

Burke added,

And don’t invite him on your ship no more either. 

Joyner agreed saying,

Well, I wasn’t gonna do that anyway.

The Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise is an event that is held every year in support of Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU’s) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. Joyner’s support of Burke comes on the heels of his announcement that he is planning to retire from radio in 2019, ending his 25 year career. Burke explained,

We have to question what is more valuable the lives and livelihood and wholeness and healthiness of Black women and girls or some music? It’s not just about playing his music it’s about supporting him in ways that keep him wealthy so that he can continue to prey on black women.

Tarana wants to continue to shed light on this situation,

So as long as he has concerts and we listen to his music he gets money and he uses that money to perpetrate these crimes against black women and girls.

Do you agree with Tom Joyner taking a stand against R. Kelly and boycotting his music? 

By -Kina Gladney