x
Narjas Zatat
1551961800
Gayle King’s explosive CBS interview with R Kelly after he was charged with ten counts of aggravated sexual abuse was a study in emotion, and one particular part of the almost-two hour interview is getting a lot of traction online.
People have been sharing a CBS snapshot of a moment in which Kelly, overcome with emotion, stands up from his chair and dramatically proclaims his innocence.
This shot of Gayle King and R. Kelly is one of the most powerful photos I’ve ever seen. Her composure. His rage. It… https://t.co/qiNPbYLdxk— Dave Quinn (@Dave Quinn) 1551873792
In the photo, King remains seated with her legs crossed and a neutral expression on her face. Kelly stands in front of her with his hands in the air, crying and shouting: “You’re killing me. This is not about music. I’m trying to have a relationship with my kids. And I can’t do it. Y’all just don’t want to believe the truth.”
His outburst, and in particular the image of him standing over a composed King, has become an important takeaway from the interview, and launched conversations online about race, black women and abuse.
People are praising King for her control and poise in the face of Kelly’s emotional outburst.
Gayle King deserves an Emmy, a Peabody, a Pulitzer and a Nobel Peace Prize for her calm, professional demeanor duri… https://t.co/Fg6VE7pk5R— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1551886219
As video clips of @GayleKing's sit down with R. Kelly spread across social media Wednesday, it was this still photo… https://t.co/zRVqptXkyL— Kayla Epstein 📰 (@Kayla Epstein 📰) 1551890428
R Kelly isn’t even talking to Gayle so much as he’s talking to the camera. He wants this interview to be another pe… https://t.co/cUH4w7dtN1— deray (@deray) 1551876838
Others are calling the photo 'iconic'.
These images of Gayle calmly sitting in full unbothered Queen pose while R. Kelly screams like a child are iconic. Do you hear me? ICONIC.— ✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾 (@✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾) 1551927101
'A Renaissance painting.'
this is a renaissance painting. (from @CBSNews https://t.co/S7ESG74UGr) https://t.co/VzKVTm4KFf— Andrew Fitzgerald (@Andrew Fitzgerald) 1551880218
People used the opportunity to celebrate strong black women.
I want this photo of Gayle King interviewing R. Kelly as an oil painting in my house. This is literally what bein… https://t.co/V3dMeEIRZi— alex. (@alex.) 1551882745
The way Gayle King said “Robert” and looked at R.Kelly...you never want a black woman looking at you like that. She… https://t.co/U42yQartme— Brandon Pope TV (@Brandon Pope TV) 1551887962
Others scrutinised the narrative of the 'strong black woman.'
I don't understand why CBS is giving a platform to R Kelly and I frankly do not like they are using Gayle King to f… https://t.co/IoFHpzXriU— AR Hamed (@AR Hamed) 1551919859
Gayle King did an amazing job in that interview. No question abou it. That said, I feel that a Black man should h… https://t.co/ML9aKCd8X3— masako adachi. (@masako adachi.) 1551932581
The ‘strong black woman’ stereotype, which assumes they are naturally strong, resilient, self-contained and self-sacrificing, is actually detrimental to a woman’s mental health.
According to the NHS, black British women are more vulnerable to experiencing mental disorders like anxiety, depression, panic and obsessive compulsive disorders.
Marverine Cole’s BBC Radio 4 documentary Black Girls Don’t Cry takes the cliche and dismantles it by talking to black women about what it means to them, and how it impacts their day to day lives.
Washington Post reporter Caitlin Gibson talked about the double standard of the way female expression of emotion is perceived (hysterical) and male emotion (as legitimate).
So wild to think about R. Kelly's response to Gayle King's questions or how Kavanaugh shouted and cried during his… https://t.co/NULBPIOcRP— Caitlin Gibson (@Caitlin Gibson) 1551889504
And Kelly's demeanour is for many, a reminder of the dynamics of power and control.
The photo of R. Kelly yelling at Gayle King should remind everyone that rape isn’t about sex. It is an act of viole… https://t.co/GPuucn95Fw— Michelle Bhasin (@Michelle Bhasin) 1551839305
Gayle’s interview aired on CBS News on Wednesday morning, and she told colleagues that she did not feel in danger at any time during the interview. She added: “I felt he had a lot of emotion and he wanted to release it.”
More: This college's piano recital in celebration of International Woman's Day really hit the wrong note

Keep reading...Show less
Top 100
The Conversation (0)