As a woman, I should not be afraid. As a woman, I should be told to speak and never stay silent. As a woman, I should always feel safe.
As a woman, I feel none of those things.
Why is it that we are constantly treated like a disposable item? The truth is men are afraid of the greatness we possess. Sometimes even we are afraid of our own greatness
Last Friday Kesha had the hearing that would decide if she could continue making music without having to work with her producer, who allegedly raped her. I think most of us thought Kesha had nothing to worry about; we thought the justice system would treat her case and at least allow her as an artist to continue her career without having to work with a man who hurt her in body and spirit. However, it seems the social justice system did not believe she should be able to continue her musical career.
After her 18th birthday, Kesha alleged that she was given a pill which caused her to blackout, at which Dr. Luke ( her music producer) raped her. Her contract with Sony was not allowed to be suspended. Sony has offered to allow her to work with another producerl; however, Kesha feels that the Sony company will not promote her music unless she works with Dr. Luke.
Kesha and Dr. Luke, her producer and alleged rapist.
This is an example of how women are constantly silenced in the world. When women speak they receive words like “Well, did you see what she was wearing?” “Maybe she was drinking,” and more phrases that completely blame women when a heinous crime against their body occurs.
Kesha spoke out against her alleged rapist and it wasn’t enough. People ask why women never speak of such things. We speak and we have to face the mental battle of the world knowing that our bodies were taken from us and used in a manner that was to the amusement of men.
We live in a culture that demands young women and their bodies. If we look at the porn and sex industry, we will see that it exists because men want it. Yet there is a double standard, because men don’t want to date a woman who does porn or who is a stripper, but they supply the need for these industries to occur in the United States.
We see it in music, always having to have women sexualized, because apparently that is how music sells. The last time I heard about music, I thought it was about talent and music, but it changes when you are a woman.
Sexualization in music
But it’s not just in music; it’s in all kinds of media. Movies today will not have women who do not have “the body.” They will not offer great characters to women, because we don’t exist on our own. What films have generally taught me are that we exist for the leading part, for the man in the film.
As a woman, I should be respected. As a woman, I should be free. As a woman, I should be seen as great. As a woman, I stand with Kesha and am boycotting all Sony Products.
Photos:
http://michaeljfaris.com/fall13/engl372/category/sexualization-of-women/page/3/
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