Kesha Rose Sebert, better known by her stage name, Ke$ha, was denied her request for an injunction Feb. 19, that would suspend her recording contract with Sony Music. The trial was a result of a sexual abuse lawsuit Kesha filed against her record producer, Dr. Luke or Lukasz Gottwald.
Kesha has repeatedly plead with the courts to be able to cut her contract with Sony, breaking all ties from her producer. Over the past two years, Kesha’s musical career has been on hold due to her taking a stand against the man who has allegedly emotionally and sexually manipulated her since the start of her career. The denial for this injunction has been a setback in the whirlwind of defeat Kesha has faced thus far.
“The issue is bigger than just about me,” Kesha told Rolling Stone Magazine. “This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract – it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.”
That is the most important aspect of the story. She wants to be free from her abuser.
That’s it.
She doesn’t want him behind bars, she wants to be free. Free to create music as an individual, to express her individuality and to live happily.
Numerous celebrities have come out in support of Kesha, including Adele, Halsey, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and many others. Taylor Swift has donated $250,000 to Kesha’s cause.
Iggy Azalea may have said it best when she tweeted, “If two people don’t want to be in business with one another it seems very cruel for one to hold the other in a contract.”
If you don’t agree with certain aspects of that case, I hope you can agree with that, at least.
Look at the bigger picture. I may not be a huge Kesha fan, but I am a woman. And as a woman, it’s heartbreaking and discouraging that a court can decide what did or did not happen to a person. If I told someone I was emotionally and sexually abused, I would want them to ask me if I need help.
I wouldn’t want them to say, “prove it.”
This trial speaks to individuals who are dealing with or have dealt with emotional or sexual abuse. Though Kesha urges her fans to stay positive if they are experiencing these issues, the result of this case deters many victims from becoming vocal about their abuse.
Why would a victim want to come forward just to be told he or she needs more evidence for his or her story to be true?
It’s confusing why Dr. Luke can’t just let Kesha go. I understand the loss of money and how that’s crucial to anyone’s living, but he’ll survive.
About a year ago, Zayn Malik, a former member of One Direction, was released from his Sony contract after he had “creative differences” with the members of his band and wanted to go solo.
Now, as Kesha comes out with her desperate pleas to be free of violence and abuse, she is questioned and kept within the grasp of her contract.
Lena Dunham, a Hollywood writer, actress and active feminist, said in an interview with Time magazine that “financial abuse is an aspect of 98 percent of abusive relationships.”
I firmly believe that is exactly the motive behind Dr. Luke’s actions.
Whichever side of this confrontation you’re on, consider how you would feel or how your sisters, mothers and girlfriends would feel. I’m sick of living in a world where we can’t tell our own truth. It’s unfair, unjust and simply inhumane. I stand with the masses who are angry and fed up.
Dr. Luke, you’re abusing more than just your power.
Free Kesha.
Email Cardinal Points at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
