#freekesha. It’s the hashtag we all have seen these past few weeks as the alleged abuse between Kesha and her producer, Dr. Luke, has been brought to light. According to an article released this past month by Rolling Stone, the movement that has flooded social media outlets for weeks began with charges Kesha pressed against her producer after he “physically, verbally and emotionally abused [Kesha] to the point where [she] nearly lost her life.” The once active pop sensation has not been able to get out of her contract with her producer and, hence, is unable to produce the music­­—leaving her void of a steady income. Even though her inability to produce music has caused distress to her millions of fans worldwide, an even greater pressing issue that this tragic tale brings to light is the underlying suppression of women in our present-day society.

The subjugation of women is showcased in the court’s refusal to allow Kesha the ability to end her contract. Although Sony, the company at which Dr. Luke is employed, promised to separate Kesha from her abuser, this served as nothing but a mere passive action that did not satisfy her or her millions of fans. However, it is important to note that although the nature of Kesha’s tale is one that has garnered much attention, sadly, it is not an anomaly in the spectrum of spousal violence cases in present-day United States. According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), women are often victims of harmful speculations and assumptions, such as, in domestic violence cases, for example, the common belief that the woman has “asked for it” or could have prevented the actions from occurring. This, although subtle, shows the continual existence of traditional attitudes toward the gender that makes up approximately half of the world’s population today. So, why does this attitude continue to exist in our progressive and accepting nation to this day?

To begin with, one key reason why false stereotypes about women continue to exist is the lack of awareness of the issue in our everyday lives. Sure, there are organizations such as the National Organization for Women that are dedicated to the feminist fight for equality in all venues of life, but a significant gender wage gap of 21 percent showcases the work that is yet to be done in many outlets of society, as evident in Kesha’s tale. Although there are many who get away with abusing females in today’s judicial system, their stories often go unheard due to their lack of publicity and the fear of shame that being a victim of abuse brings to one’s emotional, physical and mental health. It is time for society to realize the stereotypes that it has placed on women in society facing violence and raise awareness not only for Kesha but also the ordinary American who has faced situations similar to hers as well.

I must note that change won’t come easily. Although we live in a nation that prides itself on equality and freedom for all, several distinct groups are suppressed due to their age, ethnicity and, even now, there continues to be suppression of a person based on their gender. Our “progressive” nation has led to the point where a singer can’t even end a contract with her abuser. Our “progressive” nation has engraved into the brains of millions that women are inferior to their male counterparts; it is common to use the word “victim” when describing women and domestic violence. So, are we truly as “progressive” as we claim to be? As of now, we are not, but with dedication and activism, change is sure to come.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Bethlehem Daniel at [email protected].