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Katy Perry contributed to a moving indictment against domestic violence at last night's Grammys, performing 'By The Grace Of God' after speeches from Barack Obama and Brooke Axtell. Watch below.
The joviality of the night was temporarily put on hold when the US President appeared on screen to encourage artists to take a stand against domestic violence. He told the audience, "Right now nearly one in five women in America has been a victim of rape or attempted rape. More than one in four women has experienced some form of domestic violence. It's not OK, and it has to stop. Artists have a unique power to change minds and attitude. They get us thinking and talking about what matters, and all of us, in our own lives, have the power to set an example."
Some people on Twitter were quick to point out how depressing it is that Obama needs to make this speech in the 21st century.
It is 2015 and the President of the United States has to go on television to tell men not to beat and rape women.
— KB (@KaraRBrown) February 9, 2015
Following this, domestic violence activist Brooke Axtell performed a powerful spoken word piece, during which she said, "My name is Brooke Axtell and I am a survivor of domestic violence. After a year of passionate romance with a handsome, charismatic man, I was stunned when he began to abuse me. I believed he was lashing out because he was in pain, and needed help. "
She continued, "Authentic love does not devalue another human being. Authentic love does not silence, shame, or abuse. If you are in a relationship with someone who does not honor or respect you, I want you to know that you are worthy of love. Please reach out for help. Your voice will save you. Let it extend into the night. Let it part the darkness. Let it set you free to know who you truly are. Valuable. Beautiful. Loved."
Watch Brooke Axtell's domestic abuse speech at the Grammys below
Immediately following Axtell's speech, Katy Perry gave a minimalist rendition of 'By The Grace Of God', which is taken from her 2014 album Prism.
Watch Katy Perry perform 'By The Grace Of God' at the Grammys below
As many have pointed out on Twitter, the Grammys has a deeply schizophrenic relationship with domestic abuse. As just one example, Eminem, who recently threatened to punch Lana Del Rey in the face and rape Iggy Azalea, was awarded Best Rap Album for an LP which includes the lyrics, "Break a motherfucking table over the back of a couple faggots and crack it in half."
