With Sean “Diddy” Combs seemingly destined for prison, you’d be forgiven in thinking that justice is soon to be served. Decades of allegation and industry chatter served only to bolster Diddy’s notoriety. To many insiders and onlookers alike, he was a shady businessman last, mob boss and sexual deviant first. Allegations to the former finally gained legal footing on November 16, 2023 when Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, Diddy’s former Bad Boy artist and ex-girlfriend of several years, filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Combs, alleging and detailing years of physical assault and forced sexual labor. They reached an “amicable” settlement in court within 24 hours.
Despite simultaneous raids on his Los Angeles and Miami homes, and video evidence of the previously denied assault on Cassie, the prevailing topic on social media focused on reports of a purported 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Amid a rising tally of accusations, many have pushed the victims to the side in favor of America’s finest toilet humor. The baby oil jokes themselves being an extension of the “No Diddy” craze that came about after the Cassie lawsuit. TikTok comedian and D-List celebrity alike have found refuge in what are essentially sexual assault jokes. Seasoned veterans have often used comedy to process traumatic events and dissect controversial moments in pop culture. Rest assured, this is not that.
Empathy
The turn of events more closely resemble the treatment of B2K singer Raz B after his accusations against the group’s long-time manager Chris Stokes. The verdict on that front is hazy and complicated but one thing is abundantly clear: Raz B never stood a chance. Shortly after his accusation the focus was swiftly trained onto speculation regarding his sexuality, a crime impossible to defend. Despite being a minor at the time of the alleged assaults, his perceived homosexuality (bisexuality is never an option) somehow lessens the crime for many. Their severity weakened by Raz’s effeminate demeanor. The onus now on him to fight allegations against an intangible enemy.
Frankly, by trivializing sexual assault in this way, we are empowering a culture of rape. We are cultivating an environment where speaking out for yourself is discouraged. Especially when there are a stark lack of consequences for those of status. And by the time “justice” finally arrives, the lives and livelihoods of many have already seen damage beyond repair. There’s a conversation to be had about coping mechanisms, but what are the lasting repercussions of our penchant to downplay? When the laughter subsides the scars are still there bleeding, while the structures designed to protect the powerful remain. Comedy is a powerful weapon in the right hands. Let’s stop to think who we are aiming it at, and why?
Comedy
It isn’t hard to see how abuse thrives in this environment, nor to pinpoint how we got here. What’s much harder to peg down is what to do moving forward. Whatever your answer, simple acts of empathy can go a long way. It isn’t a stretch to assume powerful people can pay to suppress information and stifle careers. Monetary incentive and the leverage of celebrity are powerful tools. However, that famous figures can face such public scrutiny with nothing to show for it is continually disappointing. A point comedian Hannibal Buress brings home in his now-infamous stand up routine that sparked renewed interest in Cosby’s allegations. Allegations that ultimately resulted in the overturning of his 2018 conviction. Although a further civil case would award $500,000 in damages to the victim, the case was unfortunately several decades old at this point. And as Cosby’s representative Andre Wyatt so aptly remarks: “That amount will not cover the bills…”
Although it is the second episode to air, ‘The Trial of Robert Kelly’ comes first in the production schedule of Aaron McGruder’s series The Boondocks. Never one to shy away from controversy, the classic episode sets the tone for the series’ trademark satire. Written three years prior to Kelly’s actual trial, in hindsight it begs us to ask very hard questions about this very public mistrial of justice and our role in it. The episode openly criticizes the cognitive dissonance on display from the public and the media. R. Kelly’s conviction came sixteen years after this episode’s original air date, only after the widely publicized Surviving R. Kelly documentary put his allegations back under the microscope.
Tragedy
Much of this information isn’t groundbreaking. A common takeaway for many who tuned in to the documentary, is that several systems were in place to facilitate Kelly’s continued abuse of power. Much of what we knew then, parallels what we know now about Diddy. Namely, the use of his wealth to influence his team of personal assistants into cornering an escaping Cassie. Employing harassment and intimidation tactics to limit the choices available to her. Similarly, several starstruck adults actively turned a blind eye to Kelly’s behavior. In cases such as Kelly’s illegal marriage to an underaged Aaliyah, even actively participating in the subjugation of a victim who knows no better. At what point does proximity to wealth override basic compassion?
At any given point in either scenario, had one person decided to show a shred of dignity, or an ounce of compassion, perhaps justice could truly prevail.
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