Kesha is an international pop star with millions of fans around the world and shelves full of awards. She’s also, allegedly, a rape victim. Now, I’m not that up to date with the recent music biz scene but, I’m gonna say that rape is not supposed to be part of the performer package she signed up for at eighteen.
So, when she sued to be allowed to break her contract to get away from her long time abuser – did I mention the accused is producer and Kemosabe Records owner, Dr. Luke? – I thought she’d pull it off. Even if her case is never heard in a criminal court where he’d get locked away for being a gross fuckwad, she’d at least be able to not be around him or signed to his label.
I was wrong.
On Friday, Judge Shirley Kornreich decided that money, namely the money Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald) and Sony make off Kesha, is more important than Kesha’s personal well being. Yes, I know I’m assuming Dr. Luke is a disgusting rapist who idolizes Bill Cosby, but I can’t imagine someone going to such incredible lengths to weasel out of a contract. There are easier and less icky ways to do that. Just ask Mariah Carey.
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Now, Kesha wasn’t looking to totally high tail it; she offered to work with Sony but, to my surprise (which really shouldn’t be a thing at this point), Sony sided with the, um, alleged rapist. When the fuck is the entertainment business going to not side with the accused? Michael Jackson, Bryan Singer, Bill Cosby and Victor Salva (who was convicted) all retain the respect and admiration of powerful people who defend them. They have mainstream careers (well, Jackson did till the day he died, at least). And they’re all alleged (except Silva, who was convicted) sexual assaulters.
Victims, according to producers, labels and a New York Supreme Court judge, are worth less than the money the victims and predators bring in. Kesha is a thing, something to be trotted out, have money thrown at her and dragged back behind the curtain where, allegedly, she becomes her master’s personal sex doll. And when she spoke up, when she demanded freedom from the forced bondage, she was told, basically, you’re not believed.
You don’t look raped. And he seems like such a swell fellow. Now go back to your song making and let the real people decide what’s best for you. Shoo.
Fuck you. Fuck you. And fuck you.
TRAPPED
How is Kesha supposed to heal? How is she supposed to survive when the law would rather let her drown than rule against big business? Last I checked, she was guaranteed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” not a money making institution.
Oh, wait, she’s but a woman and has no worth to speak of except that which society bestows upon her.
Duh.
Y’know, while we’re at it, let’s take away her rights to choose a mate, own property, open a bank account and vote. Isn’t that what the Dark Ages were all about for the ladies? What, this isn’t 1152? Could’ve fooled me. I mean, if we were an enlightened society, as we so often claim, our law makers and upholders would do the humane thing and let her break her contract. Sony, that which rules them all, would still have had her earnings on their books but insisted she stay with her rapist (yea, I left out alleged, get over it), which is the least she asked for.
LISTEN UP!
Listen all you entertainment big wigs, this is someone’s life you’re messing with. By denying her this, you’re not only questioning her story, you’re questioning the story of every single person who comes forward after a sexual assault. You’re claiming her claims are just leverage to get what she wants. Are you fucking daft? Would you cry rape just to get out of a contract? Hm? Well? I’m waiting…
Yea, didn’t think so. So, why are you so sure that’s what she’s doing? Do you have any proof? A single reason why I should believe you over her?
Do you get off on protecting sexual predators? Michael Jackson, Bryan Singer, Bill Cosby and Victor Salva would all (secretly) say yes, and thank you for letting us continue terrorizing innocent women and children with our insatiable rape-lust. Cause that’s what you’re doing. You’re enabling these bastards by giving them free reign and your protection and blessing to continue. Because of money. Yes, shitloads of money. Money, that which you value above all else.
You make me sick.
MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE
How did this happen? At what point did the right to feel safe become less important than the right to make money off the abused? Hell, when did the former even become a thing? What she’s been put through is tantamount to (sexual) slavery and last I checked, the Thirteenth Amendment was still a law we respected and followed. Is there an exception clause there for when a buttload of cash is on the line? Pretty sure Congress wasn’t that stupid when they passed it. Does it only refer to menfolk? Nope, just double checked.
It’s simply amazing, in a bad, scary way, that this young woman is being forced to not only face her attacker but keep herself legally bonded to him. Her choices, again, have been ripped away from her. Nice way to revictimize the lass, Judge Shirley Kornreich; you’ve done your country a great service in reminding the world just how ass backwards the U.S. is.
Excuse me, I feel that tart bile rising again.
MASSIVE SUPPORT
It’s not all pure evil making the rounds though, as an outpouring of support for Kesha has taken the interwebs by storm. Many condemn Sony and the judge’s unfair ruling, some remind us that Zayn Malik (One Direction) was able to break his contract simply because he was unhappy while others, like Lady Gaga, MTV, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, and many others are raising Kesha up for her bravery as she faces insurmountable odds. For once, I don’t hate people.
I still hate greedy, stupid, fuck-your-rights people, but maybe, just maybe, when Sony sees how many fans (which, for them, equals cash money) are outraged over their treatment of Kesha, they’ll do the right thing and release her. Of course, for that to even be a possibility, people need to keep it up;
let’s remind Sony on a daily basis that what they’re doing is wrong and an epic evil level. Remind them that Kesha is a person and a person deserves to be free to live their life free of cruel, abusive pieces of shit like Dr. Luke.
#FreeKesha
Courtney Killian says
February 21, 2016 at 12:11 amI’ve been angry about this ever since I first heard about it. I know what pain it can cause not only the person, but the family, for the rapist to not get his or her justice. There are way too many cases that end like this, including two in my own family. This has got to stop.
Rachel Thompson says
February 21, 2016 at 1:23 amThank you for sharing, Courtney. It is heartbreaking, and I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this.
For the most part, the support has been overwhelmingly in her favor. I wish that was the case for most survivors. Outsiders have no idea how rape (or any kind of sexual abuse/assault) can affect us for so many years after, and these cases put the burden of proof on the innocent victim. Somehow, that is just so incredibly wrong.
xoxo
Susan Dougill Crochet Addict UK says
February 21, 2016 at 4:31 amWhy has it not been taken to the police? Why take it to court and not take legal action. Even if she did get out of the contract if he isn’t taken to court he could do it to others.
Rachel Thompson says
February 21, 2016 at 9:24 pmHi Susan — you can google the story, but basically it comes down to him ‘allegedly’ drugging her and her having no proof. This is a very common reason why many survivors don’t go to the police. The humiliation is just one reason.
She also had a long-standing Svengali-type relationship with him — so there are psychological factors at work, as well as contractual and other money issues. If only it were that simple.
Megyn White says
May 6, 2016 at 6:33 amIt broke my heart to see her after that last court date. Then the next she’s in the news, she was almost unrecognizable due to cosmetic procedures. And I’m positive you all know why she would change her looks so drastically (like Amanda Bynes and many before them). I know I did the same in the past because I hated myself, who I was. Subconsciously I made myself as ugly on the outside as I felt inside.
Also, I get enraged when I read the comments sections of news outlets. It’s unbelievable to me that people truly believe that we’d lie about sexual abuse/molest/incest/rape. My God, there is almost nothing more deeply humiliating and degrading than these things. Idk what the stats are of women “crying rape” to get something, but I’d be willing to bet the percentage is in the single digits.
Rachel Thompson says
May 7, 2016 at 8:36 pmSame here. I feel exactly the same way about the comments — it’s the drudges of humanity who make those egregious assumptions about her (or any rape/sex abuse survivor). As a child sexual abuse survivor (who testified in two trials, civil and military against my abuser at age 12), I’ve even been taken to task as to the validity of my story, even though it’s public record and there were plenty of witnesses in the courtroom!
Regardless, Kesha’s story, Cosby’s accusers, my story, any survivor’s story — by telling our stories and putting our truths out there, and getting these horrific reactions, simply reinforces that rape culture exists and there’s still such stigma placed on victims or crimes. Why? I don’t know.