Ethel Cain Apologizes After Racist, Fatphobic Jokes Emerge Online
Artist and musician Ethel Cain has released a lengthy statement apologizing for past racist, fatphobic jokes that have resurfaced online. The screenshots, shared by user @herweirdsilas on Twitter, date back to 2017-2018 and reveal Cain's earlier edgelord behavior, including references to incest, rape jokes, and body shaming.
Cain acknowledged the controversy in a Google Doc statement, explaining that she spent her later high school years being "extremely progressive" as a way to reject the prejudice of her environment. However, after moving out of her parents' house, she fell into an online subculture that prioritized garnering attention at all costs. She said she made jokes and comments that were meant to be inflammatory and controversial, but acknowledges that there's no excuse for such behavior.
"I spent my later high school years being extremely progressive and 'SJW' as they called it at the time, as a way to reject the indoctrination of my environment and rebel against the prejudice, hatred, and ignorance of the culture I grew up in," Cain wrote. "After moving out of my parents' house, I fell into a subculture online that prioritized garnering attention at all costs. I flip-flopped again, rejecting all notions of my former 'cringe SJW' behaviour and intended to be as inflammatory and controversial as possible."
Cain also addressed specific incidents, including a photo from 2020 showing her wearing a homemade T-shirt with the slogan "legalize incest" and her recreation of a poster of a real-life abducted child as part of the press campaign for her 2022 album Preacher's Daughter. She apologized for any pain or grief caused by these actions.
"I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart, to anyone who read it then and to anyone reading it now," Cain said. "Any way you feel about me moving forward is valid." However, she also emphasized that some individuals are not seeking justice but rather aiming to destroy her as a person.
Cain noted that some people have been doxxed and harassed since the posts emerged, including photos of her child and intimate details of her past being passed around for fun. She stated that while she can take accountability for her actions, this goes beyond accountability.
Apologies and Explanation
Cain provided explanations for specific incidents:
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The artist explained that the topic of incest in her artwork was a layered experience, and she had written about it as part of human nature. However, she acknowledged that some of her actions were hurtful, especially given that some of her fans have been victims of sexual or emotional abuse of an incestuous nature.
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Cain addressed the issue of child pornography in one of her drawings, created at 19 years old. She explained that this character was part of her own struggles with sexual trauma and assault, but emphasized that she never fetishized the concept.
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The artist also discussed a Fourth of July party where she played with her friend's dog by putting him in a headlock for a few seconds while a friend took a picture. She acknowledged that this incident could be hurtful and damaging, especially given its similarity to real-life kidnappings.
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Cain clarified that the missing poster included in Preacher's Daughter was made at 3am in a rush, using an internet template, and not intended to be hurtful. However, she acknowledged that this could still cause harm to families of abducted children.
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The artist addressed accusations of misogyny and fetishization of the female experience, emphasizing that cis women are not the only people capable of being victims of sexual assault or abuse. She explained that her music is deeply personal but not intended to be a "fetish" for others to engage with.
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Cain expressed disappointment in some individuals who have been perpetuating this smear campaign, stating that it's a common tactic used against minorities and specifically trans people. She has chosen to speak out despite the risk of further harassment and danger to herself and her loved ones.
Response from Cain's Boyfriend
The article also mentions that Cain's boyfriend will address these claims in his own time on his own terms, with Cain supporting him wholeheartedly. She expressed disappointment in the baseless attempt to assassinate her boyfriend's character and emphasized that this situation is negligent, sensationalized, and extremely dangerous for herself and her loved ones.
Legal Action
Cain stated that her team is taking this matter seriously and pursuing legal recourse under the fullest extent of the law. She aims to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, especially in cases of targeted harassment and bullying with a clear intention to harm or intimidate individuals.
A Call to Action
Cain concludes by urging others to recognize the patterns of transphobic smear campaigns, emphasizing that this situation is none of "discourse" or "drama" but rather an attack on her as a person. She hopes that her statement can serve as a start in raising awareness and encouraging people to take responsibility for their actions.