In recent weeks, singer Kesha has been in a battle with her label and the courts due to her alleged sexual assault by her producer Dr. Luke. This has sparked social media outrage regarding the court’s decision against Kesha, and supporters have showed their support with such things like the hashtag #FreeKesha that erupted on Twitter. Kesha then issued a statement thanking the world, but also bringing exposure to other victims and what they go through. With this statement and the fact that this has turned into a mainstream issue, people are now being exposed to the treatment of rape victims and are disgusted. But they are finding out that this isn’t new, learning of the terrible and dangerous rape culture in America.

Marshall University's Women's Center defines Rape Culture with:

“Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture.”

While some would disagree and say that America doesn’t follow this at all, it is clearly shown in people’s actions that our society dabbles in this culture way more than it needs to. The biggest case proving this is the justification of rape. Whenever a rape allegation occurs, many turn to make the rape not a big deal, and that the victim shouldn’t have done something. With such commonplace justifications like “She was drunk,” “She led him on,” “She danced with him,” “They are dating,” “She was asking for it” or the dumbest of them all, “Look at the way she was dressed.” Those are what is meant to degrade rape, as if it wasn’t rape, or if it was rape it wasn’t completely the rapist’s fault. This is a disgusting way to look at rape and it doesn’t support the victim, it pushes them to believe that they did wrong. You can also find the excusal of rape when you look at rape allegations to big name celebrities and athletes. NFL 2016 ‘Rookie of the Year’ recipient Jameis Winston was accused of rape in 2012 by FSU peer Erica Kinsman. This rape allegation was thrown under the rug and instead was turned into a case of people saying Erica was lying for attention. The school and police ignored her, and overlooked blatant evidence, all while cheering on their quarterback. This is what also excuses rape, but on a different level. This doesn’t blame the victim, but instead just assumes the victim is lying for attention, which is just as evil.

It’s also incredibly normalized in media, such as in various music. The song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke is currently one of the biggest examples of the normalization of rape and sexual assault with lines like “The way you grab me. Must wanna get nasty” and “I hate these blurred lines. I know you want it.” There is no reason to try dissecting the lyrics because its message is evident. The behavior said in the song is meant to be commonplace, as if everyone should be singing about ‘blurred lines.’ This behavior is also incredibly normalized when disgusting songs such as this one gets popular, played on radio and in public places, and even worse when it is nominated for coveted awards like how Blurred Lines was nominated for three Grammys in 2014 (including record of the year). This isn’t an isolated case, there are tons of lines and songs like this. The 2013 hit “U.O.E.N.O.” by Rocko had a guest verse by Rick Ross which featured the line “Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain't even know it.” This line also doesn’t try to hide its meaning, and blatantly talked about date rape. The difference here was that Rick Ross actually apologized for the line, but only after the backlash on social media and the loss of his endorsement by Reebok. Even with the apology there is no reason this line should have been used in the first place and if everyone just took it for what it is and he never lost anything he would probably have had a clear conscience about it, which is disgusting.

I feel like I don’t have to explain why these mentalities are dangerous and how they are going to inevitably destroy America because it just feels like common sense. If this continues then rape will just be one of those commonplace unenforced laws like loitering or underaged drinking. Some think that is an extreme thought but just look at the numbers to see how common it is already: 1 in 5 American women survive rape or attempted rape, 1 in 6 men will be sexually abused before the age of 18 and if that isn’t shocking enough 97% of accused rapists do not spend a single day in a prison cell. The numbers say it all, and it does more than prove rape culture’s existence.