Nicki Minaj’s brother has been accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old.
On Wednesday, Jelani Maraj, 37, walked into the Nassau County courthouse with his mother Carol Maraj and lawyer Andrea Zellan. He is being charged of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual conduct against the minor, whom he allegedly raped multiple times between April 1st and November 30th. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison.
Contrary to some early reports, it was not Nicki Minaj but her mother who put up the $100,000 bail for Maraj. However, court documents reveal that Minaj’s company was listed as the defendant’s employer.
Perhaps understandably, the entire family has remained silent on the issue. The mother, Carol Maraj, expressed her resentment toward the press, saying: “I’d like to kick their butts.” Nicki Minaj has not yet said anything about the trial or the alleged crimes.
Minaj paid for her brother’s $30,000 wedding last August, and seems to be financially supporting him in some way based on court documents listing one of her companies as his employer. After Maraj’s wedding, Nicki posted pictures of the two of them and shared on social media: “I love my brother so much man. Can’t believe I cried during his wedding and his first dance like a punk,” “Jelani, I love u more than you’ll ever comprehend,” “I would cross the ocean for u. I would go & bring u the moon. Promise u. For u I will.”
This brings up an important point: Should we expect Nicki Minaj to denounce and reject her brother if the allegations are true? Is she a bad person if she continues to love her brother? Would that make her a bad feminist?
I don’t know the answers to these questions. All I know is that her brother allegedly committed an unforgivable crime, and she is probably facing some tough ethical dilemmas right now. Perhaps she deserves some space to figure it all out.
Sophia Cunningham is a vegan feminist from Orange County. She is interested in studying politics and sociology, and she spends her free time reading, writing, and singing. She hopes to educate others about social issues and the importance of activism in everyday life.
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