The Painful Truths of Stella Donnelly’s “Boys Will Be Boys”
Stella Donnelly – Thrush Metal is available on Bandcamp.
by Walter Price
The rise of the understandings of the plights of women has never been stronger than the era we’re currently in. So many courageousΒ women coming forward with daunting and gut-wrenching tales of abuse. And it’s extremely difficult to comprehend.
On her brilliantly honest and tactile EP Thrush Metal. Perth, Australia’sΒ Stella Donnelly hasn’t shied away from the unpleasant and all too real situations women find themselves in at the hands of ‘men’. Not all men, but that portion of the male population that thrive on power, fear, abuse, and torture. And specifically, the ‘people’ who lay blame on the victims. In her song “Boys Will Be Boys”, Donnelly pulls no punches. And it isn’t easy to listen to without it shredding your soul and, hopefully, opening your eyes.
In a statement just under the haunting, George Foster directed video. Donnelly explained the origins of the track, “Boys Will Be Boys” is my attempt at making sense of society’s tendency to blame the victims of sexual assault and rape and make excuses for the perpetrators. It was also my way of dealing with certain events that were occurring in my life at the time. The video itself was intended to express the burden of victim blaming and sexual assault on the victims themselves as the mundane aspects of life go on. A song is just a song but at the very least I hope it will open up difficult yet important conversations between family members, friends, government bodies, organizations and most importantly, boys and men.”
My friend told me of a secret
Told me that she blames herself
You invaded her magnificence
Put your hand over her mouth
What the world needs now, is what the world is getting. The painful truths that have been swept under carpets being shown in the light of day. And with voices like Stella Donnelly, I have faith that conversations will be started and continued, justices served and acknowledgments and understandings further explored.
STELLA DONNELLY
VIDEO CREDITS
Directed, Shot and Edited by George Foster
Starring:
Lillie Carney
Daisy Dwyer
Alice Warren
Ashlyn Koh
and Stella Donnelly
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