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Moby

November 24, 2016 23:02

At a time when more and more pop stars are declaring their support for a cultural boycott of Israel, Moby is standing firm. He has defended his decision to perform in Israel in a statement that is as admirable and welcome as it is cogent and rational:

"If you go to America does that mean you support American foreign and domestic policy? Does a visit to America mean that you support Guantanamo?
If you visit Italy does that mean you support Berlusconi?
If you visit the UK does that mean you’re a happy supporter of David Cameron?
I’m guessing the answer is: no.
A visit to a country isn’t a condemnation or an endorsement of the domestic or foreign policies of that nation's current government.
When I tour I visit countries that are universally loved (Canada), as well as countries for which people have more complicated feelings (Israel).
But when I tour I’m going to countries to play music for people.
My presence in a country is not an endorsement or a condemnation of that country's policies.
My presence in a country is an effort to connect with people through playing music.
Almost every country on the planet has some aspect of their foreign or domestic policy that is questionable(I mean, I live in the United States, and many aspects of our foreign and domestic policy are SERIOUSLY questionable…but yet I continue to live there and do what I can to effect positive change).
I have opinions about the policies of the countries I visit, of course, but I think its incredibly dangerous to form opinions of a place without actually spending time there.
The situation within a country is oftentimes considerably more complicated when experienced from within rather than when seen from thousands of miles away or through the sensationalistic and often simplifying and reductionist lens of the media.
I’m sorry if my decisions to visit certain countries are troubling to some people.
But, as I’ve said, my decision to play music in a country is purely based on a desire to connect with people through music, regardless of the government they’re currently living with or under."
http://www.moby.com/journal/2011-07-08/im-sorry-if-my-decisions-visit-ce...

Millis et al hang your heads in shame!

November 24, 2016 23:02

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