IN THE STREETS & ON THE WEB

Russell Simmons Thinks He’ll Be ‘Fine’ After Rape Allegations

Russell Simmons, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, says he isn’t mad at himself.

“The reason I haven’t been angry about my personal situation is because [I’m] listening to dialogue around the #MeToo movement and looking beyond my own scenario,” the rap mogul shared on Instagram Tuesday.

Simmons, 60, has been accused of rape by several women including Kelly Cutrone, Lena Horne’s granddaughter, a 17-year-old model and more. Luanne de Lesseps also accused him of groping her in an elevator. A $5 million rape lawsuit against him was recently dropped.

“In the end I’ll be fine. I’ve accepted responsibility for the life that I have lived and been very forcefully and vehemently denying accusations for things that I have not done,” he continued. “A little blood on my shoulders so that my daughters see a better world is worth it. This revolution is bloody, true. There is collateral damage, also true. But today my meditation reminded me yet again that black women have bared the biggest burden for sure. And for sure all women of all races and religions (in part because of and supported by all great religions and institutions) have lived unequal throughout the ages, in unjust and Incredibly unfair circumstances. I want to be a forward thinker and supporter of the necessary change. Here is what I believe to be a fact if we continue to let the masculine energy govern our world without guidance from the feminine forces then men will destroy the planet, or at least make [it] uninhabitable for humans. So for so many reasons the goal should be to be inclusive, fair and promote equality on all levels. We have a long way to go I’m along for the ride.”

He attached his tweet to a picture of the words, “Shoutout to black women just because.”

In January, ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons released a statement of support for her former husband.

“These allegations against him are nothing like the person I have known in all that time,” she said in a statement. “I have known him to be a caring and supportive father and someone who has worked tirelessly to uplift disenfranchised communities.”

In February, Simmons retreated to Bali to get away from the firestorm surrounding him.