On Father’s Day, neo-soul singer India.Arie and her mother Joyce Simpson shared disturbing allegations of abuse they both endured at the hands of Joyce’s ex-husband and India.Arie’s father Ralph Simpson.
In the audio clip, Joyce alleges that she was sexually assaulted – and that India.Arie was sexually abused.
After misconceptions and misinformation spread across the internet and social media in response to the audio statement, India.Arie used her own social channels to clear a few things up.
“Thank you for the love and support. I slept peacefully this week,” India.Arie said. “For those who don’t comprehend well, we (my whole family) chose to not publicly reveal my father’s name, giving him grace he didn’t deserve. His punishment was exacting.”
She also said that people were accusing her mother of letting the abuse happen, which India.Arie says was not true because Joyce didn’t find out until India.Arie was an adult.
“When she said, ‘I stayed quiet,’ she meant not saying his name publicly,” India.Arie said. “When my mom found out, I had to hold her back. Those of y’all blaming my mom, and the few blaming me – y’all are the worst part of this experience. I will not address this again.”
Mrs. Arie, the crazy thing about this is that I now attend the same church that your father attends, and although this information has just came to my attention, I’m wondering if I will treat him any different, and do I have the right to treat him any different, he has been ill for a while and just now back at church, my heart ❤️ and soul goes out to you and your mom
He has been sick.. I know first hand. I hope everyone’s doing well and healing from a life long traumatizing experience. Let our creator handle the rest.