FEATURE: A Rise in Misogyny and Violence: Thinking About the Women in Music

FEATURE:

 

 

A Rise in Misogyny and Violence

PHOTO CREDIT: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels

 

Thinking About the Women in Music

_________

THIS year…

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Meriel Jane Waissman

has been terrible for so many reasons. Aside from genocide and bloodshed, there is political extremism and this feeling that things will never be okay. It seems every year brings new horror. Not to over-generalise or play the blame game. When you think about the perpetrators and those initiating violence and destruction, it is men. Most will say that this has always been the way. That doesn’t excuse what is happening or play it down. The reality is, when we look at all the bloodshed around the world and the evil that is being unleashed, it is led by men. It has been a really terrible time. Barely a week goes by where we do not see misogyny and violence make the news. The rise in misogyny has also been a real source of concern. It has been harrowing to see. I think that it is concerning that it could impact women in the music industry. It has always affected them but, as there seems to be this epidemic and harrowing rise in cases of violence and misogyny, it is hugely concerning. Look at what is happening online and the sort of debates there. I follow women (and men) who are feminists and are often attacked and threatened by men. Having to deal with the most vile and distressing comments. When they highlight cases of male violence and misogyny, they are often met with huge hostility and threats. Degrading language and awful insults. Not to say that all men are culpable. That would be ridiculous. What we do know is that there is this multi-generational misogyny that only can expand and spread. Young boys are being influenced by figures like Andrew Tate. Sexist language is growing in schools. There is this acceleration and virus of misogyny online that is being viewed by young people. All of this makes for a very bleak future. The way girls and young women are viewed. It is almost like we have stepped back decades. Though it is worse now. The way this sort of hatred and violent language can spread so fast.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Gouw/Pexels

Boys and men seem more vulnerable to extreme views. It does not just stop at language and views. What some might feel stops on a laptop and does not spread into the world is. There is violence in schools. Misogyny on the streets. The murder of three girls recently in Southport. The stories we see of women attacked and killed by men. The endless and horrendous misogyny that is rampant online. Social media and the Internet is a perfect breeding ground for this tsunami of misogyny and violence against women. It is not only influencers who are grooming young minds. Those who do not follow influencers expressing their disgusting views. It does not stop at the computer. There has been this physical outpouring. Those in denial are part of the problem. Nobody can think that the problem is small or does not exist. I think there is also a lack of male allyship. In terms of calling this behaviour out. Think about the fact women are defending their corner, speaking about threats to them and a huge problem faced by so many of their sisters. I do feel that there is this bleeding into the music industry. More cases of women through music talking about their experiences. If the music industry is a safer environment than many others, there is still this real danger. For decades, women have been exposed to harassment, violence and abuse at gigs. Feeling unsafe and abused. There is a lot of hatred and sexism online. Threats of violence. I don’t think that these issues have shifted or been tackled. Not by as many people as there should be. There is support from men in the industry, but the heavy lifting and hard work is being done by women. Again, nobody can relax and think that misogyny and this rise in violence against women and girls will not more severely infiltrate and influence the music industry. We do not have to look too far back to see high-profile artists spotlighted because of abuse towards women. Online, I am seeing myself this unnerving rise in misogyny.

PHOTO CREDIT: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels

I am worried by the news and what we are all seeing! There are explanations as to why misogyny has risen. Taking the form of coercion, gaslighting, violence, murder and abuse, we have odd contrast of women slowly but surely being celebrated in music and this long-running inequality being tackled – if far slower than it should! – together with this worldwide and infuriating lack of respect for women. The way they are viewed by so many men. This is a moment when those in power in the music industry need to take a stand and send out messages. There is a lot of love and harmony within music, though it can never be this safe and risk-free place. It is not only huge female artists who are going to exposed to misogyny and violent threats. From live gigs to behind closed doors, what can be done?! No woman I follow who is in music can say they have lived their lives free from sexism and misogyny. There does seem to be this fuel on the fire at the moment. An acceleration of radicalisation and random violence. It is going to be hard to stop the epidemic penetrating the music industry though, right now, there does need to be this attention and focus on women. Not only hearing the words and stories but supporting them and ensuring they have allyship. Making sure they are safe as possible. Violence against women is a national emergency. Not to say music can help to change that but, as it is influential and this powerful platform, there is also a need for campaigns and conversations to happen. It is a terrifying world to be in right now. Unleashed and almost uncontrollable violence and brutality. So much of that violence and threat is being aimed specifically at women and girls. My mind turns to music and not only women in the industry now but those coming through. The as-yet-unfulfilled misogyny that girls now will face when they are older and entering music. So many women are raising awareness and highlighting statistics and facts about the danger than faces them. More needs to be done. Men need to do more and speak up. It is clear that conversations need to happen around…

PHOTO CREDIT: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels

WHAT can we all do.