#FreeBritney Is Actually About Disability Rights Movement
Many celebrities are showing their support to Britney Spears who faced media scrutiny over the years. We discuss why this is an issue that stems deeper than her individual case.
It all started with the conservatorship of Britney Spears that dates back to 2008.
For nearly 13 years, the world renowned singer and pop star icon, has been in a conservatorship by her father James Spears.
Fans launched the #FreeBritney movement, and used social media to bring awareness to the discrepancies around this conservatorship regarding Britney Spears’ estate and decision-making.
According to the California Courts official website, a conservatorship is where a judge appoints an individual or organization to care for another adult who is deemed unfit to care for themselves or to manage their own finances. For Britney's case, Britney is considered the "conservatee" and her father, Jamie, the "conservator."
Britney got put under conservatorship after her public mental breakdown in 2008. Following a year of seemingly troubled behavior — such as shaving her head and attacking a paparazzo’s car with an umbrella — the pop princess got put under a “5150 hold” in a psychiatric hospital for a mental health evaluation near LA.
Many curiosities surrounding the case was brought to light by a documentary series on Youtube currently viewed over.
Before protection against paparazzi laws were passed in California, tabloids used to target more aggressively. Many are saying what Britney had to go through could never happen today.
Don’t pop stars deserve a little mental health support, too?
Fans of Britney Spears are concerned about the conservatorship not being in her best interest. "During the twelve years of Spears’ conservatorship she has repeatedly toured the world, released multiple albums, and worked on a variety of television shows,” the site pointed out. “Her conservators decide whether or not she works, as she cannot enter into contracts for herself because she is legally not her own person. Britney Spears needs permission from her conservators to leave her house or spend any of her own money.”
Britney reportedly does not want her father to return as head of the conservatorship.
Fans took it to the streets and protested on Britney’s behalf, demanding an end to her conservatorship.
Not only fans but other media stars are also showing their support in this cause.
Kim Kardashian has shown her support through her Instagram stories shared last week. She went on a long thread explaining how she went harsh media scrutiny over her complicated pregnancy as well as divorce and this ended up giving her months long depression and sustained anxiety.
Paris Hilton is also one of the stars who recently came into spotlight with a Youtube Originals documentary. “This Is Paris” is a documentary which uncovers . “I feel like if you are an adult you should be able to live your life and not be controlled. I think that maybe stems from me being controlled so much so I can understand how that would feel and I can’t imagine right now if that was still happening to me,” said Paris Hilton in an interview on Andy Cohen Live. “After just working your whole life and working so hard, she’s this icon and I just feel like she has no control of her life whatsoever and I just don’t think that’s fair.”
Britney is an adult woman who’s perfectly capable of working through tight schedules, performing and doing her job outstandingly over the course of her career.
Being trapped in a conservatorship which denies her most basic rights is simply an issue that transcends Britney Spears’ case.
It’s about the foundational rights of all who are impacted by mental disabilities.
Everybody deserves a second chance. A reevaluation.
After a two-week digital detox, Britney addressed fans’ consistent worry for the pop star. Taking to Instagram on November 4, she assured everyone that she’s doing well amid her ongoing court battle with her father.
Because if it can happen to a star, to who else it can happen? What about all the isolated cases which are not as decade-marking like Ms. Spears is?
You can learn more about the movement and its current evolution here.
Want a place where you can discuss such issues?
You can join Music or Entertainment communities on weBelong, post about anything and make friends who support same values.
weBelong is a digital safe space for meeting with likeminded individuals. You can tap your interests, create your community or join other communities. Our community is especially supportive of BIPOC and LGBTQ+.
Download for free: https://webelong.page.link/1
