A scheduled concert in New York City by singer Kehlani was canceled on Monday under pressure from the administration of Mayor Eric Adams. Though the administration expressed “security concerns” about the concert, the real reason for the cancellation is Kehlani’s outspoken opposition to the US-facilitated genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza.
This flagrant act of censorship is the second time that a scheduled concert by the singer has been canceled in the past several weeks. It is part of an ongoing, antidemocratic campaign to suppress any criticism of Israel and of its backer the United States.
Is this a singer who has made singing against the Palestinian genocide the main message of her songs?
Or is this a singer who sings, and just happens to have an anti-genocide opinion?
Not that one of these options would make Adams’ choice better - it’s wrong no matter what - but it’s an important distinction imho.
Or are these fearfully conservative* politicians actually just pushing artists into taking a stance, by being so censorial?
* yes, he’s a Democrat