Court denies Kesha contract break, questions law

By HANNAH PARKER

In an abusive marriage, the spouse being abused is urged to report the abuse to the police, stop all contact with the abuser and file for divorce. These steps are plausible, considering someone should not be forced to stay in a commitment that is harmful to one of the parties, even though the two parties have a legal contract defining their commitment to the other.

So if breaking the contract of marriage is supported when one of the parties is being abused, why is the same not said for other types of contracts?

According to The New York Times, in 2014 pop music singer Kesha accused her music producer Dr. Luke of “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally” abusing her for years, ever since she first signed to his record label and Sony Music Entertainment at age 18.

The issue currently at hand is, Kesha and Dr. Luke still have a legal contract that has not been completely fulfilled. According to The New York Times, their contract states that Dr. Luke’s recording company, Kemosabe Records, has claim over recording six songs on each album she records.

Kesha and Dr. Luke finally took the case to court where a State Supreme Court judge from Manhattan said Kesha would have to fulfill her contract with Dr. Luke.This is when the blame of not releasing Kesha from her contract shifts from Dr. Luke’s company and Sony Music Entertainment to the courts.

No one would subject the party being abused in a marriage to “fulfill their legal commitment,” so why should the same not be said for Kesha and her legal commitment?

Yes, legally Kesha agreed to keep this commitment with Dr. Luke and Sony Music Entertainment, but what is more important, human rights violations or a violation of ink and paper.

Although she legally sold her music career over when signing that contract and would be breaking that legal commitment, human rights violations trump contract violations 100 percent of the time.

If the public cannot trust that the courts will have an ounce of humanity when hearing court cases instead of strictly standing by the law, then legally anyone can do anything if they just have a contract laid out.

Luckily, Kesha has had immense support from other female musicians through this tiring process. Artists such as Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Lorde and Kelly Clarkson have spoken out on Twitter against the treatment Kesha has received.

According to The New York Times, pop musician Taylor Swift showed support in a grand gesture by stating she would donate $250,000 to Kesha to help pay for legal finances.

The world is showing support for Kesha in a clear response to the lack of justice being shown in the courts. Kesha was violated on a physical and emotional level, yet words on a paper mean more than the rights to a persons body and emotional state.

If Kesha wants to save her music career she must continue to record with Dr. Luke, if she wants to protect her body and mind she ruins her music career. Where does the one being abused receive justice?

Just as no one would expect someone being abused in a marriage to stay true to their legal commitment, the courts should not expect the same of Kesha.