Britney Jean Spears #FreeBritney
It's time to discuss the #FreeBritney Movement.
“I apologize for pretending like I’ve been ok the past two years””
Britney Spears was my era of women in pop music. She was IT. Britney was one of the main reasons you watched the MTV VMA awards in the 2000s. She was my generation icon. She gave us hit after hit and low rise jeans; she is pop culture.
I was in middle school when Hit Me Baby More Time came out, and that was a game-changer. She popped up with iconic music videos, a style, ownership of her sexuality, and still a Louisiana girl who loved her family.
I remember the tabloids and how judgemental they were about her mental health. After watching the Framing Britney documentary on Hulu- I was shocked how we didn't do anything to protect her. We let the media bring her down. This young woman dealing with custody issues over her children having to fight the toxicity from her critics was left to defend herself by herself.
Yes, the meme of her infamous umbrella has been around for decades -no one knew she was suffering inside. Well, after that year, Britney came back "better than ever." We were supposed to believe that she was good to go after having a rough few years beforehand. It was great to see our Queen Britney back, but it wasn't the same. We saw the control placed on her, but we didn't know how bad it was- until NOW.
Over the past few years, loyal fans have been investigating the absolute truth of Britney and her infamous conservatorship. We finally got to hear from Britney Jean Spears, and it is more heartbreaking to hear. Not only as a fan, a woman, and a human being.
So let's talk about it.
On June 24th Spears spoke out about her 13-year long conservatorship under her father. This conservatorship began after her 2007 breakdown. Her finances and all personal decisions were handed over to her father. Not only was Brittney handed over to her father, but so was her $60 million estates. This petition was granted temporary in the beginning but became permanent in October of 2008.
You might be asking what does Britney's conservatorship entail and what does it actually mean? It means she must gain her father permission on every major decision in her life, from health, to voting, to marriage, and business. She's her father’s prisoner.
In her testimony, Brittney went more in-depth about the current situation. Stating she is being overworked, forced to take lithium, enduring abuse from therapists she disapproved of, was restricted from spending her money, and being forced to live with an IUD to prevent pregnancy, even though she wants more children. She "just wants her life back."
This situation is inhuman and demoralizing and what's sad is that this is happening to women everywhere. The #freebritney movement is a feminist movement. If it took someone like Brittney Spears, who has such a large platform and fan base, not to speak out about this issue for 13 years, imagine how many women endure this treatment every day.
All women should be able to speak about their mental health without being punished, have the freedom to express themselves, have reproductive rights, have financial independence, etc.
This movement is a reminder of why we need feminism and speak up for those who can't. Every woman should have complete control over her life and be able to live a life of dignity. Until we have achieved that for all women, our work is not done.