If you have been following the media recently, you will have just heard the recent verdict of Kesha’s case this past Friday. The result of the hearing was that she would be unable to be released from her six-album contract with producer Luke Gottwald from Sony, a man she says drugged and raped her right after her 18th birthday about ten years ago. Sony had offered to move her to work with another producer, but Kesha feared her music would not be promoted if she does not stay with Gottwald.
While releasing someone from a legal binding contract would undermine the state law, to force a woman to stay in direct association with her rapist seems like more of a crime to me. A woman of such influence within the pop world gained enough courage to come forward about an issue that so many women and girls are terrified to do.
Sony had made a statement saying “he cannot claim that Gottwald intimidated her into silence, then — as an apparent afterthought — seek to hold Sony and Kemosabe Records liable for failing to act on conduct that she did not report.” This statement is appalling. Many people who are victims of sexual assault are often afraid to step forward, and now with this pop star being told that her safety and health is less important than a music contract I can only imagine how it will impact rape culture.
Why are more people not talking about this issue? Why are people so willing to sweep this under the rug? Why are so many eager to say she is lying and trying to extort money? Most of all, why do we live in a society that we cannot place trust in victims?
By not talking about this major issue, we are only contributing to rape culture. What may be brought out of this case is that if there is a legal binding contract, you can get away with whatever you want. This story may be telling girls that no matter who they are, no one cares about what may have happened to them. You have the power though to aid in changing this.
Instead of remaining silent about this situation, we should speak up and spread the word. Talking about it and reassuring women that they do matter, and their situations should be listened to and respected. We do not know for sure if Kesha is making it up or if she is telling the truth. Honestly, I believe her. What would she gain from “humiliating” a record label, others would feel that it is too risky to sign her because of the situation but she stood up for herself anyway, even if it was many years later. The tear stricken face leaving the courtroom is proof enough for me.
I stand behind Kesha, and you should also.
