Moby played to a sold out crowd in Bogotá, Colombia last night [Pictures HERE] And this morning he posted the following statement in his blog:"many people have asked me what i think about the anti-immigration law that recently passed in arizona. and, to be honest, i think it's a disgusting piece of legislation. it's american politics at its worst, as the arizona anti-immigrant law is both racist and fascist. i know that 'fascist' is an over-used term among progressives to describe legislation with which they disagree, but how else do you describe a law that compels the police to check the papers of people who look like they might be illegal?
it's a racist law, and it's an awful law, and it makes me ashamed of my country. america is a country of immigrants. almost every citizen of the united states either is an immigrant or is the offspring of immigrants. immigration is what has traditionally made america great, it's what enables america to change and remain dynamic, and it's what gives america it's eclecticism and diversity. but there are always old, white, right wing, republicans who want america to be white only.
that old, white, racist, republican part of america is the worst part of the united states, and the part of the united states of which i'm most ashamed. i'm ashamed of the wall being built between mexico and the united states. i'm ashamed of the anti-immigrant law that was passed in mexico. i'm ashamed of any americans who want to change or ignore history and pretend that america is not (and has not always been) a country of and for immigrants. for the american dream to exist at all it has to exist for all. the american dream is one of democracy, freedom of belief, and freedom of expression, and it's at it's best when it's applied without hesitation or restriction. when the american dream is applied selectively based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or belief is when the american dream is denigrated and compromised, sometimes beyond all recognition."
It will be interesting to see if more artists rise up to speak against the nonsense of Arizona SB1070, as well as the effect that this will have on the American people and the Obama administration.
This is not the first time Gov. Janice Kay Brewer signs a controversial bill into state law during her short term in office. She is also infamous for signing Bill SB 1113, which allows citizens 21 years of age and older to CARRY GUNS INTO BARS (!!) making Arizona the 41st state to allow guns in businesses that serve alcohol. She also signed Bill 1108, which allows citizens in the state of Arizona to carry a concealed weapon WITHOUT A PERMIT. Gov. Brewer has also considerably reduced the benefits available to state employees in a same-sex relationship, affecting about 750 state workers and their families.
Way to go Janice Kay, just when your country's worldwide perception was improving you come to ruin it.
