On August 19, 2012, Irish Central reported that outspoken activist and Catholic critic, Sinead O’Connor had taken bold steps to declare her support for the Russian, punk-rock group “Pussy Riot.” O’Connor took buzzers to her hair and shaved the words “Free Pussy Riot” in an act of solidarity. “Pussy Riot” made headlines in February of this year when they staged a performance of “Punk Prayer” at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour Church in Moscow. The song requested help from the Virign Mary to remove Vladimir Putin from power. It also made a plea for feminism and was deemed by Russian officials as blasphemous.
Three of the all-female member band were arrested then sentenced to two years each on charges of hooliganism fueled by religious hatred. They include Maria Alekhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Ekaterina Samutsevich, 30. The group has become a symbol of Russia’s fight for free speech. O’Connor’s support of the group shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the singer has continued to vocalize her distaste for oppressive regimes and religion that seeks to serve man rather than God since she burst onto the music scene.
"What I'm struck by is that it seems very strange to me that people would think prayer would be something that you can legislate about. I'm curious about that aspect, rather than the artistic element.Speaking to the Irish-based Sunday Independent, O’Connor expounded upon her support.
"I can identify with these girls in that they are using music as a priesthood. Artists are there to push the boundaries and they've made a very powerful artistic statement.”
Many agree with O’Connor’s sentiments, even though they may not agree with the method “Pussy Riot” used to deliver their message. Unlike the group, however, O’Connor has never resorted to breaking the law to get her point across. Instead, her weapons are lyrics fueled by courage to defy religious traditions, customs, and injustices.
O’Connor’s most recognized act was an October 3, 1992 a cappella performance on Saturday Night Live where she sang Bob Marley’s “War” and at the end of the song, held up a photo of thePope. The performance was in direct response to the sexual abuse scandal that had grown rampant within the Catholic Church yet remained covered up for decades. The nation was shocked when O’Connor tore the picture and uttered the words, “Fight the real enemy.”
To this day, Sinead O’Connor remains the Catholic church’s largest, celebrity critic and has repeatedly called for justice for the children who were victimized through sexual abuse.
Though many are more receptive to O’Connor’s brazen act today and more people are comfortable with holding the Vatican accountable for the depraved acts of pedophile priests then they were 20 years ago, the response in 1992 wasn’t favorable. Contrary to what many believe, however, O’Connor has not stopped performing, recording, or delivering her powerful message against injustice through music and song.
Will “Pussy Riot’s” act of defiance come to a similar conclusion 20 years from now? Will Russia become a democratic nation that embraces true freedom of religion, speech, and artistic expression? If so, will “Pussy Riot” and their “Punk Prayer” prove to be a turning point for the nation, as was O’Connor’s bold defiance of a religious organization that covered up the sexual abuse of thousands of children by merely sending offending priests to other parishes?
What the future holds remains unknown, but one thing is certain. As O’Connor says, “Artists are there to push the boundaries.”
And push boundaries, “Pussy Riot” most certainly did.
No comments:
Post a Comment