“Megan thee Stallion” is a black woman who has been cruelly targeted by white people on social media. In her viral open letter she explains how this targeting makes her feel and what it means to speak up for other women of color like herself.
(CBSLA) — LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The same day that Canadian rapper Tory Lanez appeared in court in connection with the gunshot that wounded Megan Thee Stallion, the New York Times published an op-ed by Stallion, whose true name is Megan Pete, regarding domestic abuse and Black women.
Pete, 24, was shot while driving in the Hollywood Hills with Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson.
On October 19, 2019, in Anaheim, California, rapper Tory Lanez performs onstage during the last night of the 2019 IndiGOAT tour at Honda Center. Getty Images/Scott Dudelson
Lanez, 28, appeared in court by phone in a downtown Los Angeles Superior courtroom on Tuesday. He faces one felony offense of assault with a semiautomatic weapon and one felony count of driving with a loaded, unregistered handgun. He’s also accused of having a pistol and inflicting serious bodily damage on himself.
According to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, the alleged shooting happened in the early morning hours of July 12 after Lanez and Pete got into an altercation while travelling in an SUV in the Hollywood Hills.
Lanez reportedly fired at Pete’s feet numerous times as she was stepping out of the car, hurting her.
Pete went to social media a few days after the incident to reveal that she had bullet wounds to her foot after attending a pool party in the Hills.
Pete claims Lanez shot her twice in an editorial published in The New York Times on Tuesday.
She stated, “I was lately the victim of a man’s act of aggression.” “I was shot twice as I walked away from him after a party; we were not in a relationship, and I was startled that I ended up there.”
“The problem is exacerbated for Black women, who face stereotypes and are seen as angry or menacing when we attempt to defend ourselves and our sisters. If you’re a Black woman, there’s not much place for ardent advocacy “Pete went on.
Lanez was detained around 4:40 a.m. on the day of the shooting, according to L.A. County Sheriff’s Department prisoner records.
Prosecutors brought charges against Lanez on Oct. 8. The following day he took to Twitter, telling his 2 million followers, “The truth will come to light…I have all faith in God to show that…love to all my fans and people that have stayed true to me & know my heart…A charge is not a conviction. If you have supported me or meg thru this, I genuinely appreciate u.”
Advocates for abuse survivors point out that high-profile celebrities’ candor about their experiences, such as Pete’s, frequently motivates other domestic violence survivors to come out as well.
“When it’s a celebrity, we can put a face on domestic abuse in a new manner, and she has a platform, which may make it easier for other women to come forward,” said Dr. Carolyn West, a University of Washington psychology professor.
According to studies on intimate relationship and sexual assault, 45 percent of Black women had experienced sexual violence, physical aggression, or stalking from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
“It’s not that they’re more aggressive by nature,” Dr. West said. “They are often placed at a greater risk owing to societal structural reasons, poverty, or just life hardships.”
Pete claims that social inequalities are the reason she is committed to fighting back and advocating for others.
Pete has received a lot of support for her reaction, with Tina Knowles, the mother of singer Beyonce, writing on Instagram that she is proud of Pete for “standing out for sisters who don’t have a voice.”
Megan Thee Stallion talks onstage at the Los Angeles Convention Center at Beautycon Festival Los Angeles 2019 on August 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images/John Sciulli for Beautycon
If convicted as charged, Lanez faces a maximum term of 22 years and eight months in state prison.
The court ordered him to keep away from Pete until his arraignment on Nov. 18, which is set for Nov. 18.
Looking for Assistance
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline offers survivors of domestic violence with vital resources and assistance.
Call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or go to TheHotline.org for free, confidential support 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are concerned that an abusive spouse is monitoring your internet activity, phone instead of accessing the page, and remember to erase your browser history after viewing this website. To quit TheHotline.org quickly, use the “X” or “Escape” button at any moment.
(All Rights Reserved.) Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. This article was written with the help of City News Service.)
