According  to a report published in the Los Angeles Times, it was noted that around 7 of the sexual misconducts occurred within the vicinity of New York City. Thereafter, NYPD approached the women who have claimed to be a victim of Simmons’ misconduct.

The accusations date back to the 80’s when Drew Dixon, affiliated with Def Jam Recordings came forth with rape allegations to The New York Times. Following in the year 1995, Tine Baker and Toni Sallie opened up about their tragic experiences.

Sherri Hines, another woman, alleged Simmons raped her in his office back in the 80’s after which, four more women reported about having had suffered from the same experience.

These allegations led the mogul of hip-hop culture to step down from his various companies that were major contributors in the fashion and music industries.

In his defense, Simmons released a statement, saying, “These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual.”

In addition, mentioning the allegations at hand, he said, “The presumption of innocent until proven guilty must not be replaced by ‘Guilty by Accusation.’”

Seeking refuge in the freedom for self-defense offered by social media, Simmons on Thursday took to Instagram, posting  a #NotMe caption against the #MeToo trend followed by numerous sexual abuse victims all around the world.

“Today, I begin to properly defend myself. My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in anyway, but instead hold my accuser accountable. #NotMe,” said Russell Simmons in a caption below his Instagram post.

He mentioned having apologized for ‘instances of thoughtlessness’ in his relationships but he went on to add, “What I will not accept is responsibility for what I have not done. I will relentlessly fight against any untruthful character assassination that paints me as a man of violence.

In his recent statement, Russell Simmons projected humility by accepting and apologizing for his shortcomings saying, “For any women from my past who I may have offended, I sincerely apologize. I am still evolving.”

The post Rape Allegations Against Russell Simmons Has Surfaced appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Some are a part of the Black community and some not so much. With accusations against so many prominent people in the public eye, it’s almost like everyday there’s a new story.

Whilst in the middle of all of this controversy, it really has me thinking how much this has a direct impact on the Black community. More importantly, the type of impact it has. For one thing, these stories are being plastered all over the media for young Black girls and women to see alike.

I just imagine myself as a little girl waking up one morning reading about how men, specifically Black men, are raping our Black women. That could have a serious impact on how a young Black women growing up in today’s society views Black men. Social media definitely doesn’t help with it’s preconceived negative stereotypes of how Black men mistreat Black women, so when you add allegations such as these on top of that, it almost becomes too much to even fathom.

As a race, Black people need to be that much better than our white counterparts and that is just the honest truth. It’s not a secret that we still live in a very unequal social, economic, and political climate despite all these years after the Civil Rights Movement.

A Black man being accused of rape holds many more negative implications than a white man being accused. I mean, just take a look at Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein for example. I haven’t heard of anyone trying to convict Weinstein on any rape charges lately, yet people tune in whenever updates become available about Cosby’s freedom or possible lack there of.

To help combat some of this negative energy being directed towards the Black community, we need to really start holding ourselves and each other accountable. I know there is only so much we can do and it can’t happen with just one person, but even the little things add up and if we work at it hard enough it can begin to make a difference.

The post [OPINION] Impact of Russell Simmons Rape Allegations on Black Community appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned. However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians and we do not want to deprive them of an opportunity to showcase their talents to a national audience. We have no other projects with Russell Simmons.”

The new episodes will air tonight, Friday, December 1.

Life comes at you fast…

The post HBO Removes Russell Simmons From ‘All Def Comedy’ Credits appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

You had a car and a driver that evening. Sometime later, you offered me a ride to my home. I said, “Sure.” During the making of the RUN DMC movie, I had been in vans with you and other crew members. I don’t recall having accepted a ride home alone with you before that night.

At no time that night did I say: “Russell, I will go home with you,” or “Come home with me,” or “I will have sex with you” or “I have the desire to have sex with you.”

I believe it was an SUV, because I recall having to step up into the car. I don’t know about makes or models. I think the driver was already in the car.

I got into the car with you. The driver began to drive. I assumed you knew where I lived, because you had sent me 250 balloons, but I gave the driver my address on 19th Street and 2nd Avenue.

You said to the driver: “No.”

I didn’t understand, so I said: “Russell?”

I said, again, to the driver: “19th Street.”

Again you said to the driver: “No.”

Then the car doors locked. It was loud. The noise made me jump.

I didn’t recognize you at that moment. It was disorienting. It was disorienting. I say it twice now because you said “No” twice then.

I couldn’t open the doors. I couldn’t open the windows. The car was moving. The driver did not stop. He did not take me to 19th Street. He took me to your apartment.

I didn’t try to kick the windows out. I didn’t punch or kick. I didn’t say, “What are you doing?” My voice left me after the second “No.”

I felt dread and disorientation. I wanted to go home. I said I wanted to go home. I didn’t recognize the man next to me. I didn’t know if the situation would turn violent. I remember thinking that I must be crazy. I remember hoping that the Russell I knew would return any moment.

The car stopped at the curb. I don’t recall the street. I recall the driver opening the door from the outside, and you behind me. I was between the two of you. Not wedged, just in the space between you. I remember exchanging a look with the driver. He was unreadable. It was chilly out. It was me and these two men.

I felt dread. I was tremulous. Off my feet. I felt an intense need to keep both of you calm. Was there a time or a space to run? I have no idea. Would somebody else have run? I have no idea. There were two men. One of whom obeyed the other. It was an overwhelming feeling.

There was no well-lit lobby or doorman at the entrance we used. I would guess it was not the main entrance to the building. I believe there was a door from street level that opened into a space beneath the residential area of the building, in which there was a small back elevator. If I am wrong about the layout, then I am wrong. There were two men, and I was afraid.

You didn’t punch me, drag me or verbally threaten me. You used your size to maneuver me, quickly, into the elevator. I said, “Wait. Wait.” I felt dread. I was very, very sad. I didn’t know if the driver was a further threat, or an ally. I was both relieved and terrified when he did not get into the elevator. Alone in the elevator, you pressed me into the corner with your body, your hands and your mouth.

The elevator did not stop on the way up to your apartment. I was moved very quickly inside. I recall hearing the apartment door closing behind us.

I saw no one else. I recall you were behind me. I was still hoping the Russell I knew would reappear, as I could not recognize the man moving me deeper into the apartment — the man who had said “No” to his driver. Twice.

You moved me into a bedroom. I said, “Wait.” You said nothing.

I made the trade in my mind. I thought, “Just keep him calm, and you’ll get home.” Maybe another person would have thought differently, or not made the trade.

No wonder Rusell said Terry Crews should’ve given his violator a pass. This is so disgusting and disappointing.

Russell Simmons responds:

I have been informed with great anguish of Jenny Lumet’s recollection about our night together in 1991. I know Jenny and her family and have seen her several times over the years since the evening she described. While her memory of that evening is very different from mine, it is now clear to me that her feelings of fear and intimidation are real. While I have never been violent, I have been thoughtless and insensitive in some of my relationships over many decades and I sincerely and humbly apologize.

This is a time of great transition. The voices of the voiceless, those who have been hurt or shamed, deserve and need to be heard. As the corridors of power inevitably make way for a new generation, I don’t want to be a distraction so I am removing myself from the businesses that I founded. The companies will now be run by a new and diverse generation of extraordinary executives who are moving the culture and consciousness forward. I will convert the studio for yogic science into a not-for-profit center of learning and healing. As for me, I will step aside and commit myself to continuing my personal growth, spiritual learning and above all to listening.”

Via BScott

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