
Artists in the Hot Seat for Staying Silent
Me waiting for these white artists who love to commodify Black life to speak up & defend actual Black life. pic.twitter.com/W3ysxOnfuv
— Dwayne David Paul (@DwayneDavidPaul) December 4, 2014
Yesterday, we saw yet another grand jury decision: no-indictment for the police officer who murdered Eric Garner in a lethal chokehold.
As protesters swarm the streets, continuing to block major highways and interrupt business as usual, twitter users are calling out white celebrity artists from Iggy Azalea to Miley Cyrus for staying quiet on the recent verdicts. But big names aren’t the only ones being confronted.
my 6 year old. "@IGGYAZALEA name a rapper better than me”
— delicate goonette (@bad_dominicana) December 4, 2014
KUNQ DJ and producer False Witness spoke out about musicians and artists staying silent around the murders of black people by police. Tweeting directly at artists and musicians in grime, ballroom, and club music scenes, False Witness called out many of his contemporaries for being complicit while profiting from, and building a brand for themselves off the backs of black life, labor, and culture.
HOW TO BE A MUSICIAN/ARTIST ON TWITTER RN: RT BLACK VOICES. UR FOLLOWERS NEED TO HEAR THEM FIRST
— FALSE WITNESS (@FALSE_WITNESS) December 3, 2014
OH U LIKE GRIME? BALLROOM? U LIKE HIP HOP? JERSEY CLUB? U GOT A SHOW COMING UP SOON? GO FUCK YOURSELF. NOW IS NOT THE TIME.
— FALSE WITNESS (@FALSE_WITNESS) December 3, 2014
SOME OF YOU REALLY LIKE TO PLAY BLACK PEOPLE MUSIC BUT SILENT AS FUCK WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR MURDERS. GREAT JOB.
— FALSE WITNESS (@FALSE_WITNESS) December 3, 2014
@JubileeDJ @evian_christ ITS UNACCEPTABLE TO NOT SAY ANYTHING. YOU OWE IT TO YOUR FANS AND AS PUBLIC FIGURES, YALL HAVE INCREDIBLE REACH
— FALSE WITNESS (@FALSE_WITNESS) December 3, 2014
False Witness’ words ring true, and echo so many calls to build a culture where black lives truly matter – for redistribution of capital, cultural resources and platforms to black voices. Like we pointed out in our news roundup, political moments are becoming cultural ones, and vice versa. As “Igloo Australia” shows us, denying this shift will no doubt leave many on the wrong side of history.
its funny to see people Like Igloo Australia silent when these things happen... Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't huh?
— CATTY NOIR (@AZEALIABANKS) December 4, 2014
today isn't a day to talk about which celebrities said what tbh. my favs have yet to enlighten me with activism or phony shows of it.
— Le1f ☥ (@LE1FNY) December 4, 2014
The role of the passive artist, divorced from social struggle seems to becoming less and less accepted. As Art Basel events draw closer, many are pondering what’s in store for institutional art world event. Let’s see what happens.
Are they gonna protest at Basel or nah..
— BAD MIND (@newyorkisburnt) December 3, 2014