Amanda Palmer makes a decision about Jian Ghomeshi in the most Amanda-Palmer way possible

Under duress from the public, she announced that she will no longer host Ghomeshi on her tour

By Erin Keane

Editor in Chief

Published October 31, 2014 7:44PM (EDT)

It took her all week, but this afternoon, Amanda Palmer finally made the decision to not host alleged woman-abuser Jian Ghomeshi at the ticketed Toronto event to promote her new book, “The Art of Asking.” On Facebook, she thanked her fans for “patiently standing by” while she figured out just how closely she wanted to be associated with the disgraced Canadian public radio star.

"given everything i've learned, and especially given how upsetting it would be to so many, jian will not be coming to the show in toronto."

This decision is commendable and full of common sense. The path she takes to get there is pure Palmer.

In her post, Palmer doles out virtual hugs to the following:

  • Those who engaged in the conversation in a thoughtful, compassionate, calm way.
  • Those who shared their own stories of sexual abuse.
  • Fans who see themselves reflected in the stories of the women stepping forward to tell their Ghomeshi stories, the numbers of which grow by the day — she hugs you the tightest.

With hugs out of the way, Palmer turns the conversation back to a comfortable place: herself.

  • "listen: i am a woman who has spent a lifetime struggling to be believed myself - for so many reasons. and i am so happy to see a conversation about women and consent taking center stage right now."
  • "i am *not* happy to see people flinging insults, using violent language and wishing harm on others."

There are some occasions when a cross-stitched sampler reading “It’s Not About You” would come in handy, and this is one. And since when are her fans responsible for her happiness? Palmer then falls back on the “I’m just too busy!” defense, as if all of the people who keep up with the news and actually listen to other people when they talk don’t also have jobs and lives. By the way, did you hear she has a show next week? Have you bought your tickets yet?

"i have spent the last few days, doing my best amidst all-day rehearsals for a musical that opens on wednesday, to read and follow all of the stories that are coming out. thank you to everyone for sharing forward all of the articles and content, you've helped me."

"i'll see many of you soon, tour starts in about a week." 

Please buy my book!

"meanwhile: may we all hold the space - in the physical world and on the internet - to take care of each other. we're in this one together, friends. please don't forget that."

Here is a down-side to being an accessible celebrity—not everyone with an attentive fan base and a solid public platform is responsible enough to use that power and influence for good. Shaming people for speaking up stridently when gentle nudging didn't work isn't an admirable model of leadership. Palmer has courted a devoted customer base that cares, quite obviously and vocally, about what she does and does not support. She should listen more carefully when they speak up.


By Erin Keane

Erin Keane is Salon's Chief Content Officer. She is also on faculty at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University and her memoir in essays, "Runaway: Notes on the Myths That Made Me," was named one of NPR's Books We Loved In 2022.

MORE FROM Erin Keane


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