By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer
Singer R. Kelly recently served as the honorary grand marshal of Chicago’s annual Bud Billiken parade. Geared toward today’s youth, the back-to-school event celebrates the importance of family, community and education. I know a jury was not convinced that it was Kelly in that infamous videotape gettin’ busy with a 14-year-old girl, but the thought that he has an easy access to young girls kinda scares me. Remember his illegal marriage to late R & B singer Aaliyah? She was 15; he was 27. Plus, he was not asked by organizers to participate; he volunteered. According to the Straight from the A report, some parade goers were OK with Kelly’s appearance in the parade. After all, he was never charged with indecency with a child. However, there were some who didn’t think he should have served as grand marshal of the historic parade. One woman said she had a problem with a man who was in trouble for having sex with an under-aged girl to be around kids. After all, this is the “if it doesn’t fit you must acquit” nation.
I just hope that “I Believe I Can Fly” was playing from his ride instead of “Bump and Grind.”
Got that on eBay or somethin’
I know you all remember when Destiny’s Child replaced LaToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson with Michelle Williams and Farah Franklin? Well, Franklin made news this week. The shortest-lived singer of popular girl group failed to pay her storage fee for the month, and you know what happens next – auction time! But, Franklin’s storage didn’t contain an old couch or pots and pans. Franklin housed documents from her time with the group. Now, the birthday card Williams sent her and pictures of the quartet hanging out are now in the hand of a lucky eBay bidder. According to Straight from the A, there were signed documents and concert memorabilia. Ironically, one of those documents was her walking papers she received from Mathew Knowles. For instance, a slew of photos of the ladies with celebrities such as Beyonce’s future hubby Jay-Z, Diana Ross, Britney Spears and Shaq were up for auction. The minimum asking price – $50,000!
They need to leave R. Kelly alone and let him live in peace. He doesn’t need to be reminded of the past. Stop reminding him of his mistakes. I’m sure he’s learned from them and trying to move on. He deserves to be happy too.