The music industry has problems, there is no denying that. They under pay their singers, song writers, and staff. They make contracts that seem too good to be true, luring in young and trusting talent. They never knew they were signing their lives away, they were just trying to make it to the top. All of these issues are note worthy, but they are not the underlying reason for Kesha's pain. What effects her is what effects nearly one fifth of women in America: sexual assault or rape.
There he is, folks. The man who allegedly raped Kesha when she was 18 years old. She was new to the company when it happened. Luke Gottwald, also known as Dr. Luke, is the man who has made millions off of Kesha's success, but only after he allegedly drugged her and abused her trust by violating her physically and emotionally.
Above is a photo full of raw emotion. Kesha, now 28, sobbing after the judge refused to nullify the contract keeping her at Sony, the company which uses Dr. Luke as a producer. Sony said they would change her producer, and the judge said breaking the contract would be dangerous for other contracts in the state. It's not about the money or the contract anymore, it is about a woman stuck at a company where she will continue to be in close proximity of her attacker.
Some ask why Kesha did not come forward sooner. It is NO ONE'S place to question a woman's decision to wait, and here is why: Some woman are afraid of their attackers. Some women aren't sure if it was rape. Some women feel threatened and are afraid of losing their job. Some women think no one will believe them or search for justice (and they would be right to think that). Some women feel like it is their fault, even though rape is caused 100% of the time by rapists, not circumstances. Some women don't remember. Some women find out later. Some women are in so much shock that they can rationalize their way out of thinking they were raped.
Rape is a strong word with strong connotations. Women and men alike are afraid of using the word. It congers up feeling of extreme physical violence, bruises, a struggle... more often than not, rapes are quiet, controlled, and calculate. Nay sayers may question rape survivor's by asking why they didn't scream, why they didn't say "No" a little louder, and why they didn't struggle. Each accusation is just as offensive as the last. Rape is one of the most, if not the most, destructive and violent crime that can be committed. To physically violate a person by forcing sexual contact, the rapist takes away every sense of control the victim has ever had.
Kesha didn't sue to get out of a contract for money. She didn't sue so she could take her act on the road and make her own money. She sued to protect herself, because no one else would. No one else would believe her tale. No one else gave her the chance to be freed. Kesha will now have to continue to work with her aggressor, just like millions of other men and women across the country. And if that doesn't simultaneously sadden and enrage you, then you need to do some serious soul searching. Support Kesha and empower her to find a way to safely get out of her contract and start living her life again.
Sources: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/kes...
