In the wake of the recent child sexual abuse allegations against founder Afrika Bambaataa, Universal Zulu Nation announced on Friday that they have undergone a “significant restructure” in leadership. The hip-hop community was shaken last month when the allegations first arose from New York Politician and former member of Universal Zulu Nation, Ronald Savage. Since then, three more men have come forward echoing Savage’s claims.
Now it seems as if the claims, despite being denied immediately by Afrika, have caused enough of a stir to warrant a change in leadership. In the statement released Friday, Universal Zulu Nation said of the changes: “As part of this restructure ALL accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation have been removed and have stepped down from their current positions.”
“There shall also be a new move to work towards providing support for victims of abuse, rape and molestation,” the organisation go on to say.
The statement continues to make a valid point about what it calls “trial by social media,” and seemed eager to make the distinction between the founder and the organisation as a whole.
“As an organization we are in a very difficult position because we are being asked to condemn one of our founders based on testimony through social media alone. We cannot do this. We also cannot dismiss the comments of parties asserting they have been harmed. We have a duty to search for truth.”
This is a good way to deal with a sexual abuse allegation; console and support the victim, while simultaneously working to discover what happened. Simply taking either side’s version of the truth without evidence is unhelpful, no matter who you support. Something KRS-One needs to learn.
As always, if you or anyone you know is suffering from depression or abuse, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Talking is hard, but important.
Image: Henny Ray Abrams/Associated Press