Dear Conner,
We were sad to hear you were accused of
raping a 16 year old, back in the Lifted days. Since the accusation
came through anonymous website comments, you could have just ignored
it. However, since the posts generated a moderate sized internet storm
of speculation, opinion, and witch hunting, you or your keepers opted
to issue a statement, which reads:
"Usually we wouldn't feel the urge to comment on spurious blog
chatter but the recent allegations made about Conor Oberst by an
anonymous commenter on the xoJane website are flagrant enough to demand
our response. This individual's accusations are absolutely,
unequivocally false. Unfortunately, the internet allows for groundless
statements like this to travel the world before the truth has any time
to surface. This is a particularly serious and sickening allegation and
there is no truth to it. Conor has nothing but abhorrence for the
perpetrators of crimes of sexual violence. The behavior attributed to
him by this individual is in direct opposition to his principles. Conor
is consulting with a libel attorney regarding this matter.
There will be no further comment at this time."
Regardless
of the accusation's merit, this is a disappointing response for a
number of reasons. Not only does it do little to convince us fans of
your innocence, it belies a loss of integrity, and perhaps misses a
chance to combat rape instead of simply deflecting criticism.
First and foremost, threatening legal action is hawkish bullcrap. Is
this supposed to help convince us of your innocence? Because it makes
it seem like you just want to protect your brand. "Don't talk shit
about me or I'll SUE," is something we said on the playground when we
were 8. What happened to the Conner who turned down record label Big
Money to keep Bright Eyes pure? On these lines, responding through a
publicist is kinda tacky. Again, it makes it seem like the response is
about protecting your image, not about truth or honestly responding to
an accuser.
Speaking of truth, adamantly denying
the accusation does not help us know the truth. It's not possible for
us to know the truth, we can only speculate. What we do know is that
you are a rock star, and you frequently drank to excess. One might ask, given those two facts, is it even possible for you yourself to know the truth on this matter? Regardless of what did or did not happen, you can see why a simple denial is fairly meaningless.
Again I don't think a response was necessary, but here's a response I would have liked better. "I
was troubled to hear someone allege that I pushed myself upon
them against their wishes. I am repulsed by the idea, and do not
believe it to be true. However, I did get drunk and have casual sex
quite a bit at that time. It could be possible I crossed a line and
didn't realize it. If I did I am truly sorry." Obviously such a response would open you to some not insignificant consequences,
even if you are in fact innocent. But it would also exemplify the type
of integrity we had come to adore you for, and possibly pave the way
for a safer world.
See, rape is not simply the
purview of deranged or hateful individuals. It can happen when
otherwise decent human beings forget what it takes to be decent.
Especially when alcohol and power are involved (power such as that that
comes from being a rock star), it takes real effort above and beyond
being "nice" or "a good guy" to make sure you're treating your fellow
humans decently. If you had used this as an opportunity to share that
lesson, it would have made it truly apparent that the act was in
"opposition to your principles."
Sincerely yours,
Jonny