Kesha responded to the recent outpouring of support from fans and peers today in a Facebook post, where she refers to her sexual assault lawsuit against Dr. Luke as an issue that’s “bigger than just me.”
Last week, after a judge denied Kesha’s request for a preliminary injunction that would allow her to record music outside of her contract terms with Dr. Luke’s Sony label, Kemosabe Records, artists like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson publicly sided with Kesha.
The artist wrote a brief Instagram message on Tuesday, then followed it up with a longer Facebook post on Wednesday that starts off by acknowledging everyone for their support. “Words cannot really express the emotions I’ve gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me,” she writes.
The message states that she’s not against working with Sony, as long as she’s not attached to Dr. Luke’s imprint. “All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused,” she writes. “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.”
Kesha also urges victims of abuse to speak out despite a culture that deters young girls and women from doing so: “I think about young girls today – I don’t want my future daughter – or your daughter – or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power.”
Read Kesha’s full Facebook post below.
I’m so, so beyond humbled and thankful for all of the support I’ve
received from everyone. Words cannot really express the emotions I’ve gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me. I can’t believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful.
All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused. 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.
But at this point, this issue is bigger than just about me.
I think about young girls today – I don’t want my future daughter – or your daughter – or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power.
Unfortunately I don’t think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that’s a problem.
But I just want to say that if you have been abused, please don’t be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.
Yes, I am very much a feminist, but more than that, I am a humanist. I believe in supporting my fellow human beings in being SAFE.
We’re all in this together. You are not alone.
I love you and thank you. heart emoticon
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Image via AP