Recently, I was told by a friend that the lead singer of Brand New, Jesse Lacey, has been accused of sexual misconduct.
I listened to Brand New a lot when I was younger and they sing one of my all-time favorite songs. My initial reaction was to separate the behavior from the music and justify being a fan, because it's good music even if the singer made bad choices.
Then today I watched a movie called the Hunting Ground about sexual assault on college campuses.
The movie brings up the point that many college athletes who are sexual predators are not prosecuted because universities are run as businesses and athletics bring a lot of money into these institutions. Essentially, because fans and alumni like seeing their school do well in sports they are willing to overlook sexual misconduct.
As a patron this shook me. I don't want to be indirectly supporting anyone who is a sexual predator. Even if it means giving up on listening to one of my favorite bands. If the world is supporting someone in their career regardless of their poor decisions, why would the misconduct ever stop?
The Hunting Ground is a movie everyone should watch before going to university. If I had seen it and better understood what sexual assault was before my higher education I would have been safer and made better choices.
If you want to learn more, here is a good website.
If you want to learn more, here is a good website.
