People are angry that Kesha wasn’t included in “Time’s” Person of the Year story
This morning, December 6th, Time Magazine announced their 2017 Person of the Year — the Silence Breakers of the #MeToo campaign. However, many have argued that there is a noticeable absence on the magazine’s cover, as well as in the ensuing article: Why wasn’t Kesha featured in the Time’s Person of the Year celebration?
As many readers are likely aware, Kesha spent several years in a contentious and draining legal battle against her alleged sexual abuser, music producer Dr. Luke. She was fighting for her rights long before the now- infamous Harvey Weinstein story broke, and long before #MeToo became a social media phenomenon. Even more impressive, Kesha managed to release Rainbow, a now Grammy-nominated album about the ordeal.
Taylor Swift, who was in the Time article and whose photo is featured prominently on the cover, even specifically mentioned Kesha as a source of strength and inspiration during her own legal battle against a sexual harasser.
Find out why the Silence Breakers were chosen as TIME's Person of the Year 2017 #TIMEPOY https://t.co/jOS7zksnw7
— TIME (@TIME) December 6, 2017
“People have been largely very supportive of my story since the trial began in August, but before that, I spent two years reading headlines referring to it as ‘The Taylor Swift Butt Grab Case’ with internet trolls making a joke about what happened to me,” Swift began.
'I was angry.' @taylorswift13 on what powered her sexual assault testimony #TIMEPOY https://t.co/MYHHwtRocJ pic.twitter.com/TQ3jnTpACD
— TIME (@TIME) December 6, 2017
She continued,
“Once it hit the news that I was in Denver dealing with this, there was an outpouring of support on social media and I have never appreciated it more. I spoke to Kesha on the phone and it really helped to talk to someone who had been through the demoralizing court process.”
And now, fans are rightfully asking: Why wasn’t Kesha a part of the Time’s piece?
im sorry but kesha really fucking deserved to be included in this... she went up against her abuser who had her entire career on a lockdown, still managed to release a fantastic album and earned a grammy nom...that sort of rise from the ashes is worthy of praise https://t.co/Fyc7gMgVEr
— william shookspeare (@dracomallfoys) December 6, 2017
hey where’s kesha on that TIME cover and story. genuine q. she was one of the first to level that fight
— donate to my indiegogo please (@rachelmillman) December 6, 2017
I’m all in with @TIME’s Silence Breaker cover, but I serrrrrrriously have an issue with @KeshaRose not being on there. She’s the FIRST person that comes to my mind when I think about silence breakers in 2017.
— Bryce Rowland (@ohbryce) December 6, 2017
Where the hell is @KeshaRose? Her fight for her freedom was incredibly important. She nearly lost everything trying to get a little bit of justice and it showed how flawed the system is when it comes to these cases. Then to come back, and reinvent herself. Inspiring.
— Courtney (@cc_spider) December 6, 2017
Make no mistake: We are thrilled that the Silence Breakers are this year’s Person of the Year and that the movement is getting the recognition it deserves. But we’re also genuinely curious as to why Kesha was not a part of it. Perhaps it came down to something as simple as a scheduling conflict — at this point we just don’t know. But we do know she deserves to be honored as a crucial member of this group. Her bravery is inspiring, and we’re in awe of what she’s accomplished — Time’s Person of the Year or not.
