After revealing his own sex abuse story Kenny Lattimore applauds Charlamagne for speaking out

As an African-American man in this society, we are always taught to be strong and fearless as men. I applaud Charlamagne for telling his story, particularly in this climate. The fact that Charlamagne’s abuse came from a woman would prompt some to say, ‘He became a man early.’ We give sex power as if the experience magically made him strong and solidified his masculinity when the reality is that he was simply an assaulted child. When any kind of sexual activity is happening to a child, there is no reference point that allows the experience to be healthy. It can be painful and confusing wondering if the act was your fault.
 
My own violation left me physically hampered for years. I was deathly shy, would barely speak and I would jump if you touched me. Eventually, in my teen years, God intervened and compelled me to greet others with a hug. Little did I know, this simple gesture would begin to break down some of the physical barriers I had built in my life. I carried a shame that left me feeling unworthy of being in relationship with others. What if they found out? What would they think of me?