Written by Alison Lawrence

The recent backlash against Irish rap trio Kneecap by the British government feels largely opportunistic - It feels like this has given them a socially acceptable pretext to marginalise artists who are already critical of the establishment. 

This discourse has ironically provided an opportunity for some to propagate the notion of ‘freedom of speech’, albeit hypocritically.

 I mean, why is it that now, after having spoken up about a genocide, Kneecap’s careers are at risk from a conspicuous campaign to eradicate them from the media? What about abuser Chris Brown playing Hampden?

Why are British tabloids so selective in their outrage? Is it because they feel less inclined, as the UK establishment’s complicity in genocide is nothing new? Doesn’t this make them complicit?

The fact that this conversation is being held to the extent that it is feels arbitrary - especially towards a trio of Irish lads. To see the British media try to silence them for speaking out against injustice feels like a continuation of that power imbalance — of that oppression. It makes me feel seriously jarred — regardless of whether I agree with the things they’ve said or not.

Do you want to know what conversation I think the senile politicians should be having instead? The continued occupation and holocaust of the Palestinian people. The 50,000 and counting death toll - of which 18,000 are children. The fact that only 50% of hospitals are functional is because the Israeli government are obliterating them.

Not only is this sinister and unholy behaviour (not only from the perpetrators but also from our government, who ostensibly have portrayed themselves as knowing a thing or two about virtues), but it is also an egregious violation of the Geneva Convention.

So with that in mind, dearest readers, continue to educate yourself on the ongoing conflicts - Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, etc. - as the list goes on. Exercise your mind and move your body; remove yourself from the online spaces; detox from the 0s and 1s. And most importantly — rest. Rest will continue to be vital for navigating this world. And proceed with holding your government and the systems that disregard everyone’s liberation accountable.

P.S: Music has always been about challenging the status quo. To think differently - to think that music isn’t inherently political - is ridiculous. Maybe next time you should reconsider before putting a band named ‘Kneecap’ on the lineup.