Because Tina Turner’s name is engraved in feminist history

If the late Tina Turner is celebrated as “queen of rock ‘n roll”his legacy in the fight against gender-based and sexual violence also deserves recognition.

Died this Wednesday, May 24 at the age of 83 years old after a long illness, Tina Turner was a pioneer in exposing Domestic violence.

Closed in a controlling relationship imposed by her first husband Ike Turner, Tina Turner survived several years of domestic violence. Even though her life was threatened, she dared speak openly about a largely overlooked issuepaving the way for generations of women.

“I was going to become his livelihood”

Born in 1939, Tina Turner found success very early, in the 60s and 70s, shining as the singer of the duo Ike & Tina Turner, along with Ike Turner, who was both her musical partner, her manager and her husband. The couple met when Tina was alone 17 years.

Noticing the extent of his talent, the leader of the blues group King of Rhythm quickly saw a future star in the young singer. Therefore, he he did everything to make it his owngoing so far as to impose a new name on her (Tina Turner’s birth name is actually Anna Mae Bullock).

In her autobiography released in 2018, the 78-year-old singer revealed unspeakable violence that Ike Turner made her suffer, prompting a suicide attempt in 1968. In the book, she confided:

“My relationship with Ike was doomed the day he realized it I was about to become his breadwinner. She needed to control me, financially and psychologically, so that I could never leave him. »

An historic change for victims of gender-based and sexual violence with the 1981 interview

After years shrouded in silence and secrecy, Tina Turner overcame her terror and publicly opened up about her ordeal in a 1981 interview for the magazine People.

Except for fears that Ike Turner will vendetta if he spoke, Tina Turner explained that she feared him these revelations do not compromise his work. In a documentary released in 2021, the star even claimed to have asked her if she was a clairvoyant would end his careerto which the medium would respond “No, Tino. He will do the exact opposite. He will throw open the doors. »

In the interview, the star shed some light on the power dynamics within of a relationship of influence. She had to survive until 1978 leave Ike Turner. “Maybe I’ve been brainwashed”He wondered.

“When Tina Turner spoke,” the world knew “Domestic violence was everywhere”

In the columns of BBCLenore E. Walker, a psychologist and university professor specializing in domestic violence, has deciphered the swing greater powered by Tina Turner’s speech:

“In 1981, we were barely learning the extent of domestic violence in homes. It has often been assumed that there is only poor women poor people who have been abused. When Tina Turner spoke about her life, raised awareness that domestic violence was everywhere. »

For Lenore E. Walker, Tina Turner yes paved the way for other women, until today. She explained:

“Women weren’t believed when they talked about domestic violence, so when Tina Turner, a respected and famous singerspoke, he gave other women the courage to do it too”

Among his women helped by the testimony of Tina Turner, we can mention the presenter Oprah Winfrey, also a victim of sexual violence. In the documentary dedicated to Tina Turner, the star presenter confided: “No one was talking about sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic abuse – abuse, period. Our generation is the generation that started breaking the silence. »

Do you like our articles? You will love our newsletters! Sign up for free on this page.