At this point we know that musicians, actors and people in prominent positions are no longer likely to get away with their abusive and disastrous behaviour.
The #MeToo movement has been nothing short of history-making and life-changing. It’s been empowering to watch as the admirable women – and some men – have come forward, sharing their stories and helping to topple the powerful who have been, until now, able to continue in their patterns of abuse, believing that they are somehow above the law, or above the people whom they victimise.
I in no way intend to make any kind of comparison to what the victims have suffered, and completely support standing in full solidarity with them following their revelations.
However, there is a scenario that has now raised its head for me on more than one occasion since the #MeToo movement started to catch wind in the music industry.
Twice now I have had tickets booked to a concert in another country, only to have the singer/musician accused of abuse weeks before the concert is scheduled to take place. This means I have had flights, tickets and hotels booked with the intention of attending a concert to listen to music I obviously love. (I currently live in Europe, so it’s only a 1-2 hour flight, not 24 hours like we would need from Australia.)
First things first, this is a bloody pain. There is a lot of money that goes into attending a concert in another country, and it’s a decision made due to a serious degree of love for the music and the performer.
Countries like the UK also make tons of money from music tourism, so this is serious business.
In both instances, these musicians created music that I have listened to almost every day of my life for the past 10 years. How does one begin to respond to finding out that some of those songs might be about underaged women? That while these men were crying out emotionally about their trials and tribulations in love, they were using and abusing the women around them at the same time? It’s sickening, it’s hypocritical and it’s immensely disappointing.
Again, with no intention of comparing this problem to the ordeals of the women involved, it is actually pretty devastating.
My advice in this scenario: when the concert gets cancelled and the money gets refunded, donate it to a local women’s shelter or charity that supports victims of sexual harassment, abuse or violence.
If you have flights and hotels booked in another city booked, go ahead and make a little trip out of it anyway. You might even like to donate to a charity in the city that you’re travelling to.
Remember, as annoying as it is, and as inclined as we may be to make excuses for the musicians and performers we love, we can’t argue with evidence and it’s of utmost importance to wholeheartedly support those who come forward and believe their claims. This is the most poignant and fundamental factor here, and it can never be ignored, not even when it turns out those we looked up to, celebrated and gave money to are also a part of the problem.