Megan Thee Stallion: [music] I don't know if he can shoot something that's super important. I don't know if he could shoot me and kill me.
Melissa Harris-Perry: That's Megan Thee stallion, talking with CBS News's Gail King earlier this year about the story we're getting the take on today, the trial of rapper and R&B singer, Tory Lanez, for allegedly shooting her. This trial, which began last week in a Los Angeles courtroom, is not just a celebrity he said/she said. Even a casual glance at how many are talking about this trial shows that it's touched a nerve involving issues of public and private violence experienced by Black women at the hands of Black men.
Gabby Bulgarelli The primary known fact in this case is that on July 12th, 2020, Tory Lanez and Megan Thee stallion were both pulled over.
Melissa Harris-Perry: This is Gabby Bulgarelli, senior producer of Louder Than a Riot, a music podcast from NPR Music.
Gabby Bulgarelli: They were in a vehicle that was pulled over during a high-risk felony stop in Los Angeles. Lanez was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm in his vehicle, and Megan Thee Stallion was taken to the hospital because she was injured.
Melissa Harris-Perry: According to NPR, when expressly asked about changing her story to police the night of the shooting from stepping on broken glass to being shot, Megan cited her distrust of police as a Black American, but a month later, Megan identified Tory as the person who shot her. The month after that, he released an album, which aggressively refuted her claims, and he continues to refute them. Then in October, 2020, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office charged Lanez with felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and the trial of Tory Lanez started last week. If found guilty, he faces up to 23 years in jail.
Gabby Bulgarelli: I think we know, definitively, that Megan was shot. The state of California is trying to figure out who shot her, but when we regress back to Megan wasn't shot, that is where I think I get scared. I think what we're missing in terms of coverage of this trial, is people seem to lack the fundamental understanding of how a case of this magnitude actually works. People on social media talk about Megan being on trial or talk about Megan's legal team. Megan is not on trial. Megan is not suing Tory. Megan has not brought any charges against Tory
Melissa Harris-Perry: In pop culture, this trial has become about much more than fact-finding, inspiring a legion of opinion pieces and millions of social media posts. Writing for msnbc.com, Ja'han Jones offers this, "Since the shooting in 2020, men have taken to the internet and the airwaves to mock Megan's claims and question their legitimacy." The Atlantic staff writer, Jemele Hill, explains how this public vitriol aimed at Megan in the courtroom and beyond is "an unfortunate and terrible reminder of the price that many Black women pay when they dare to speak out about the harm done to them," and you gave us your take.
Ashley: I'm Ashley, and I'm calling from Raleigh, North Carolina. I think the situation with Megan Thee Stallion is really tragic and reflects how challenging it is for Black women in America to even exist in spaces where they think that they are safe. I hope that everything is resolved in a way that is actually just and equitable, and that the truth comes out because there seems to be a lot of misinformation and deception going on through the process.
Danica: Danica from Los Angeles. The reality is that a young man pulled out a gun, and someone was shot. Gun violence is so common and so mainstream that everybody is concerned about the dynamics around why she was shot as opposed to the fact that a human being was shot.
Melissa Harris-Perry: Now, do you have a take on this story? If so, give us a call at (877) 869-8253 or send us a tweet @TheTakeAway, and let us know.
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