Is the music industry finally having its #MeToo moment? It certainly looks like it. But why now? – National
Another week, another series of sexual assault bombshells in the music world. First Diddy.
The fire hose stories about Sean (Diddy) Combs and his “weird parties» involve everything from allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking to kidnappings, weapons charges, drug use and arson. Memes involving more than 1,000 bottles of lube and baby oil (allegedly laced with the party drug GHB) are ubiquitous, as are those showing Los Angeles police standing next to a seized barrel filled with 750 dildos.
Every day brings new stories about celebrities, speculation they may have been involved, what some claimed they did, bribes and cover-ups, conspiracy theories and allegations made by more than 100 plaintiffs.
Diddy’s alleged behavior dates back decades. He is sitting in a Brooklyn detention center awaiting trial (probably in April or May), isolated from other inmates for his own safety. Meanwhile, there is Jeffrey Epstein-level concern over who and what Diddy knows.
Then there is the case of Sum 41 Deryck Whibley who, in his new memoirs, Walking disaster: my life through heaven and hellalleges that the band’s former manager and producer, Greig Nori, pressured him into non-consensual sexual acts from when Whibley was just 16 years old. (Nori says these stories are false and has reportedly retained a defamation lawyer.) It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
On Thursday, investigators investigating Marilyn Manson announced they were examining a ton of new evidence involving sexual abuse, rape and torture. This is on top of all the other allegations that have been leveled at him over the past few years. The new claims come just as Manson attempts to revive his once-canceled music career.
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Meanwhile, there is the ongoing saga of Jacob Hoggardthe former Hedley singer. Although he was acquitted of a sexual assault charge earlier this month, there are others. On Thursday, he gave up on convincing the Supreme Court of Canada to overturn a conviction for assaulting a woman in a Toronto hotel room in 2016. He is currently serving a five-year sentence for the assault.
THE list of “problematic artists” who have been accused of ongoing abuse and assault: Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Jian Ghomeshi, Arcade Fire’s Win Butler, producer Dr. Luke, Diplo, Gary Glitter, Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins’ horrific child sex crimes , Chris Brown, Kodak Black, Sean Kingston and British rapper Slowthai.
That’s a lot to take in and each week brings more stories. The truth is, however, that this sort of thing has been happening since the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll. Chuck Berry went to prison for rape. Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman with their child wives. David Bowie slept with some of the “Baby Groupies” of Los Angeles. Jimmy Page took a 14 year old on tour with him.
Back then – in less enlightened times, of course – people looked the other way. Such behavior was considered part of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, which attracted millions to the music world. And before social media, such crimes and indiscretions were easy (well, easier) to cover up.
So why this flood of stories now? Some reasons.
The MeToo movement began in 2006 when Tarana Burke, a sexual assault survivor, began using the phrase on MySpace to encourage victims to speak out. The hashtag #MeToo first appeared on social media in 2017, bringing more attention to the issue. The result has been an outpouring of empathy, empowerment and solidarity from and for victims of sexual assault. Knowing that this kind of belief and support exists makes victims more likely to come forward. And they did it, some publicly, others anonymously.
Another reason people are choosing to come forward now has to do with organizations like RAIN (National Network on Rape, Abuse and Incest) is mobilizing to help with education, support and friendly listening. If you are believed and supported, you are more willing to confide in someone.
Then, several laws have come into force in recent years. In New York State, there is the Adult Survivor Act, which provides a unique window for elderly victims of sexual assault. It was under this law that E. Jean Carroll was able to successfully prosecute Donald Trump for sexual assault. This law alone has allowed at least 2,500 people to seek justice, including open cases against Diddy and Russell Brand. California has something similar, but it limits the time to file charges to three years and only applies to crimes allegedly committed after January 1, 2009.
There is the omnipresence of smartphones. Privacy and secrecy can disappear in an instant. The distribution of incriminating evidence can be done in seconds. Some people were slow to realize this and are now being exposed using videos, photos and audio they didn’t know existed.
It is certain that the music industry should have done a thorough assessment of #MeToo a long time ago. Society’s tolerance for bad and illegal behavior has changed dramatically. The more stories that are revealed, the more people will come forward.
We live in interesting times.
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