Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the soundtrack to our youth — that would be Alanis Morissette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ album, naturally — the singer herself is calling out the music industry for its role in the sexual harassment and assualt of women. The business, says Alanis, is due for a #MeToo reckoning which she predicts will eventually see even more women come forward with stories of abuse than has happened in other industries like film and television.“It’s ubiquitous — more in music, even than film,” Morissette said in an interview with the UK’s
Sunday Times (via
Page Six). “Almost every woman in the music industry has been assaulted, harassed, raped.” In the singer’s view, the music business has created a landscape that fosters this specific type of abuse. “What, sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll? By definition, it’s crass, sweaty and aggressive. But it’s only a matter of time before it has its own explosion of stories.”[video_embed id='1936918']RELATED: Alanis Morissette says she's 'unschooling' her kids[/video_embed]So far, only a few female artists have come forward to accuse men in the music industry of harassment or assault. One of the most notable cases sheds a neon-bright light on why others are reluctant. After pop star
Kesha accused label boss and producer Dr. Luke of rape and emotional abuse, law suits and counter-suits followed, giving the music mogul a platform which he used to fat-shame Kesha and block her from putting out any new music for years. The ordeal (legal and otherwise), which has been an issue for Kesha since 2014, is still a matter in front of the courts.So when asked why other women aren’t willing to come forward with similar stories, Morissette says that the explanation is obvious. “They face the threat of losing their job, reputation, or not being believed. At best, it’s swept under the rug; at worst, you are admonished or fired.”Part of the solution, says Alanis, is to get angry: “Female rage gets such a bad rap, but it’s part of being human,” she said. “Not punching someone in the face, but anger channeled into activism or — heaven forbid — raising your voice, or saying no, or protecting your kids, or being a feminist.”[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Grandson makes TikTok video with grandma even while physical distancing[/video_embed]
