I have been trying to formulate my thoughts on the events of the past month into a cohesive train for a while now.
As many of you have no doubt heard by now, there have been many allegations of sexual misconduct, and a few rape accusations put against the Canadian band Hedley, many of which are focused on front man Jacob Hoggard.
Most of these allegations have been made via Twitter, through anonymous messages to a couple accounts known to be run by women who, for whatever reason, dislike the band, and specifically Mr Hoggard.
There has been much evidence brought forward that this was a calculated and planned attack on the group's character and reputation. Many of the stories brought forward have no basis in truth, and can be unravelled with the slightest investigation.
Jacob and the band have put out a few statements, stating empirically that while they have engaged in stereotypical rock and roll lifestyle choices, and have not always respected women as much as they should have, never would they go beyond what a woman is comfortable with, and never would they engage in sexual acts without their consent.
None of these allegations have been brought to the police, but the media has taken them and gone wild. It would seem that we now live in an era when Trial by Twitter is all we need to condemn a group of men to being ostracized, dropped by their employers, and lose supporters.
There is much we need to learn from these events, not least of all is the need for a reevaluation of our quickness to judge and condemn without hard evidence. It would seem that the band Hedley is deemed famous enough for these unsubstantiated allegations to be considered serious enough for the band to be made an example, but they are not famous or popular enough for the allegations to be swept under the rug, as has been done for so many other popular musicians, who have not only been accused of various misconducts, but have been CONVICTED of various assaults.
I vow to not listen to any radio station until either they reinstate Hedley's music into their playlists, or they take out ALL of the music performed by artists who have even ONE allegation of sexual misconduct against them, however unsubstantiated.
I do not have the words to explain quite how upset these events have made me. I have lost sleep thinking about it, about how this is affecting the men who have quite literally gotten me through some of the hardest parts of my life. They have done so much for me throughout my life, and now I am left feeling useless in their time of need.
When it was announced that Hedley is going to be taking a hiatus for an undetermined amount of time, I was crushed. I was hurt, angry, and confused. The group of women who had used the #MeToo movement so reprehensibly had won. They had broken down the man I had looked to for strength for so long. They got what they wanted.
After a couple days of thinking about it, I realized that this was the best decision these men could make. Take some time to rest, heal, grow, and learn.
I firmly believe that this is not the end of Hedley. I refuse to believe that this is the end. They will take some time off, and they will come back to us with an album that will blow or collective minds.
After all, Jacob promised that he would stay in our lives, as long as we stay in his.
And I, for one, am going nowhere.
Jacob, please remember that your fans love you. We have your back, and will support you no matter what. You have helped us through many hard times, and your voice lifts our spirits even on our darkest days.
Always remember Jake, Dave, Tommy, and Jay; sometimes life sucks, and that's why we've got you, and guys, sometimes life sucks, and that's why you've got us.
I love you boys. Stay strong.
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