
The bravery of Rose McGowen, Ashley Judd and others who have spoken up about harassment they have experienced at the hands of Harvey Weinstein and other men in the film industry has encouraged women in other career fields to be honest about their stories. This kind of predatory behavior is not confined to one world and dance music is as guilty as any other.
Never one to shy away equality issues and women’s rights, The Black Madonna went off on Twitter for women everywhere. Alison Wonderland came out about a man in a position of power at her old job who harassed her before she had a platform to help herself. Annie Mac shared her stories, as did Jubilee.
If you have experienced inappropriate advances or sexual assault, know that you are not alone, and you are not to blame. If you feel like you are ready to speak, you can find a safe place. There is a community of others who share your feelings and are available to help.
Read the full stories from these strong and talented women below.
The Black Madonna
If you’re a woman you have lived through many Weinsteins. They are a design features of a functioning patriarchal capitalist system.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
I have worked for men like him, I have dodged men like him, I have tried and failed to protect women from men like him.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
I have fought in open warfare with men like Weinstein and I have used more subtle routes to protect myself and others.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
And in each case there were sins so transparent, so shameless that I didn’t grasp them but for the sheer brazenness of my Weinstein.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
On the other hand it is hard to communicate the impact that, at any moment, outright confrontation could have had on my life. Even now.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
Some deep tribal defense of women’s experiences, damn near universal pain, that we live through, kicks in when I read the Weinstein stuff.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
The fear we see even women in “power” clearly showing around Weinstein shows how tenuous that grasp of power is. How fast can he take it.
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) October 10, 2017
Alison Wonderland
Years ago I got sexually harassed at my old job by a man high up in the company. It was awful. I cried. My dad had to pick me up from work..
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
The next day I went to HR & they said “well u are pretty and he was drunk” then subtly told me if I took it any further I would lose my job.
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
Just found him on Facebook. Thinking about telling his wife who I also found on Facebook. Young girls should stand for this.
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
All the Weinstein shit gave me ptsd from this for real
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
If only he knew that one day I wound have a platform to say this. Lmao. Loser
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
Should I message his wife on Facebook.
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
Anyone who has gone through this. I am sorry u had to and I feel u.
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 12, 2017
Annie Mac
Was chased by a man in a suit masturbating whilst up a mountain when i was 11. Was flashed at by a man on the tube when i was in my early 20s. @suzanne_moore stories are all too familiar. https://t.co/5XnizqSSYk
— Annie Mac (@AnnieMac) October 12, 2017
Jubilee
All my texts and DMs right now are convos between my girl friends and I about which men have been SUS A F to us in this industry.
— #MC3 (@JubileeDJ) October 10, 2017
Girls that promoter that booked you in 1947 that you didn’t even vibe with but still sends cute texts because he has your # …he’s sus too
— #MC3 (@JubileeDJ) October 12, 2017
Dani Deahl
So here’s the story about when DJ and producer Tony Arzadon assaulted me at the Hard Rock in San Diego in 2013 – I’ve never told this 1/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
It’s important to note this is only ONE story of assault I have by a peer while working in music – I can think of at least five more 2/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I had finished DJing with friends at a nearby festival and we decided to go to the Hard Rock’s rooftop club to go support Tony 3/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
Tony’s a Chicago DJ, I’ve known him for years. He knew my husband. We were friendly when we saw each other out 4/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I go to the DJ booth to drop off my backpack with gear and say hi to Tony, who’s performing. I tap him and he turns around. He’s wasted. 5/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
He doesn’t say a word. Instead, he reaches out and grabs my breasts. In the DJ booth. In front of the entire crowd and my DJ friends 6/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
So, I punched him in the face. And then I left the booth and started crying. My DJ friends don’t know what to do. They saw it. 7/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
The manager of the club saw it too – he acknowledges this. Nothing’s done. What are you gonna do, he’s in the middle of DJing ¯\_(?)_/¯ 8/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I’m so shaken up and distressed. I ask one of my friends to get my bag so I can go. They decide to stay and party. I leave alone. 9/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
The entire walk to my hotel I’m texting Tony about how fucked up it was. He tells me I’m “overreacting” bc he “does it to all the girls” 10/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I feel small. My friends didn’t step in. They didn’t leave with me. The club shrugged their shoulders. I’m “overreacting.” 11/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I call my husband that night in tears to say our friend groped me. He’s halfway across the country can’t do anything and feels helpless. 12/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
The next day, my manager calls Tony’s manager at SKAM. His manager says am making a big deal out of nothing – this stuff happens a lot 13/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
My manager persists, and Tony is made to call me and apologize. It feels hollow. I fly home. I’m sad. 14/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
After all this – I don’t say anything. I convince my husband to not say anything. Why? Bc I don’t want to be ostracized from gigs. 15/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I don’t want to have a rep as the “difficult” woman to work with. I have already been told twice I’m overreacting to being assaulted. 16/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I hear later that Tony has told other people he didn’t mean the apology and is still joking about the whole thing. Shocker. 17/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
I don’t know how to end this except to impress this is rampant in music. And, wow my hands are shaking – I’m angry all over again. 18/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
Believe women. Guys, hold other guys accountable. Our industry is set up to make bad behavior easy. We drink and party and make excuses. 19/
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017
No more excuses. If you see or hear about sexual assault, call out your peers. Choose to say ‘no more.’ I’m choosing that now. @TonyArzadon
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 13, 2017