@SisterPoweron10!
Last
week, I woke up to a number of facebook posts in reaction to the docu-series “Surviving
R. Kelly,” and I was puzzled. I hadn’t seen the
film, but I knew most of the responses on my timeline, were coming from people
who had been aware of the R&B crooner R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual
misconduct with minors for years, but didn’t appear in an uproar, so why give
your thoughts now.
It appears, the stories shared in the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly”, were presented in a way that viewers could no longer ignore R. Kelly’s “alleged” sexual assault, abuse and misconduct with under aged black girls; leaving many feeling a deep sense of guilt for dismissing the harm R. Kelly has caused many young black women and girls across the country, for over 15 years.
Although I like to talk, I’ve always been a
woman of action. When my advisor challenged me about how
I would use my platform to help black women and girls in the arena of sexual
abuse, I had to sit and really let the spirit speak to me. You see, my passion
to advocate, empower and mentor women and girls runs deep.
So deep, 10 years ago, I created an organization, Sisters of Today and
Tomorrow, that helps to develop and nurture a healthy self-esteem and
leadership ability in women and girls.
My drive to transform the lives of
women and girls is so strong, I often jump out the plane without a parachute.
However, before I act, as I’ve done for the past 10-years, I'm looking at the whole
picture and asking all of YOU, sisters and stand up brothers for your
help.
What
are you going to actually do, to help change the lives of these abused women and
the thousands more to come? Who is not just talking the talk, but walking in it. Putting your time, talent and treasure into working with
women and/or girls to build them up, so when perpetrators like the man next
door, or an R. Kelly, and the like, propositions or manipulates them,
the girls or young ladies will know what to do, where to go and how to handle
themselves and the situation?
The advocacy and protection for women and girls is not a fad. The abuse and
harassment that women have endured has been going on for years, better yet
centuries and it is time to put an end to it. Marches, talks, social media posts and press
conferences are nice to draw attention to the matter, but the real work takes
place in Sisters Circle….I know this because God created it and when
done right, the outcome is transformative and healing.
Sisters Circle is a safe space for women and girls to connect, share, support, empower and mentor one another. Sisters Circle is so personal and reflective, always leaving the group with so much raw emotion. The sentiment shown in the women and girls who participate, is the foundation of what my organization Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT) was built on – “the village” that engages, empowers, and mentors.
All week, the thought of planning a series of Sisters Circle has been on my mind and in my spirit. With your support, this critical program can become the movement to really make a difference, transforming women and girls to heal, as well as fight against predators like R. Kelly, the sicken family member and/or the unassuming man down the street, for decades to come.
To get involved or contribute your time, talent and treasure, visit our website www.SOT2Girls.org . Sisters Circle is one of seven programs under Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, where we help to develop an open and healthy inter-generational dialogue.
