"Nobody Cared Because It Was Happening To Black Women": A Qualitative Study Of the Black Man's Perspective on the Sexual Assault/Sexual Violence of Black Women Público

Mulwa, Zabi (Spring 2020)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/s7526d74c?locale=pt-BR
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Abstract

Robert Kelly (R. Kelly) is a critically acclaimed R&B (rhythm and blues) singer, songwriter, and producer. Over the years of his career, allegations of sexual violence/sexual assault (SV/SA) were ignored or swept under the rug. It was not until early January of 2019, the television network Lifetime, released a six-part docuseries called, “Surviving R. Kelly.” Within the docuseries, Black women rehashed their survival stories of the sexual misconduct between them and R. Kelly. It shook the Black community and began to uncover and dredge up the horrifying history of SV/SA. Upon closer inspection of the docuseries, many of the men in R. Kelly’s inner circle knew about his indiscretions but did nothing to stop R. Kelly’s behavior. This qualitative study uses the Lifetime docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly,” to understand to reveal how Black men perceive SV/SA of Black women.

 

This qualitative research study attempts to shed light on three aims. The first aim is to describe conversations that Black men have had around SV/SA of Black women prompted by the Surviving R. Kelly series. The second aim is to understand the role of  Black female influence on Black masculinity and the treatment of Black women. The third aim is to identify potential barriers that Black men have had in protecting Black women.  Twelve Black men, in the Metropolitan area, were interviewed. Interviews ranged from 20 minutes to 60 minutes and explored a variety of domains. These domains included their perceptions of the docuseries to their experiences with intervening with SV/SA. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results demonstrate that Black men are willing to discuss SV/SA and a need for increased programming to give tools to Black men to help them navigate prevention. These findings are important to consideration for future public health interventions, programs and policies.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Purpose

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sexual Violence/Sexual Assault of Black Women

Robert Kelly (R. Kelly) and Surviving R. Kelly

Bystander Effect and Men

History of SV/SA with Black Women and the Bystander Effect

Theoretical Framework

METHODS

Introduction

Funding

Population & Sample

Setting

Eligibility & Recruitment

Field Methods

Interview Guide

Analysis

RESULTS

Reactions to “Surviving R. Kelly”

Conversations with Men and Women

Masculinity

Protection

DISCUSSION

Masculinity

Theory

Support Through Shared Experiences

Protection & Its Various Forms

Ownership of the Black Woman

Strengths

Limitations

Recommendations/Implications

Conclusion

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Interview Guide

Appendix B: Codebook

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