It is time for the black church to stop singing ‘I Believe I Can Fly.'

Now!

If not for anything other than to honor the memory of Aliyah and the other teenager's Kelly was seen on video camera sexually abusing back in 2008.  

If not for anything other than in support of the countless other young black girls and boys who never got to see their day in court.

As a church, it will be considered a slap in the face if you continue to sing ‘I Believe I can Fly’. The lyrics to the song are traumatizing and will do nothing but cause a great deal of anxiety for your congregation.

Imagine how it would feel, as a human being, to be asked to stand up and sing along to ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ after the crimes Kelly was found guilty of. On September 27, 2021, a jury of his peers found him “guilty of charges including sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, racketeering and sex trafficking involving five victims.” This is not to mention that Kelly will face a second federal trial on charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice in Illinois. He will also face criminal charges in Cook County, Ill., for aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims (three of them minors), and in Minnesota, for sex with a minor.

Imagine how triggering hearing that song would be for sexual abuse survivors. How frightened they might become. How small, weak and vulnerable members of your congregation might feel. How fast their heart might beat, and tight their stomach might become. Think about all of the fights and arguments, yelling, and screaming that will take place in the car after service is over because of a song you exposed them to. 

Churches are supposed to be a refuge, a safe space from crimes, wickedness, and predators like Robert Kelly.

That song has no place in the black church any longer. It must die today.

Take a stand against the sexual crimes and violence that have entered your doors by forgetting the song ever existed. To not do so, but still expect your members to tithe, agree to background checks, and physical pat-downs is dehumanizing. Your church becomes the perpetrator now. 

Life in America is already traumatizing to those of us with black and brown skin. Why continue to cause us harm?

To continue to allow your church members to stand up in their pews and belt out the lyrics of ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ after the horrific behavior of R. Kelly makes you a culprit and a coward.

Are you a culprit? Are you a coward?

Stop singing "I Believe I Can Fly". Let the song die with him and his memory. Believe black women. Protect black girls.