The big news of the day is that Russia has sentenced activist punk rock band Pussy Riot to up to 2 years in prison for hooliganism. The punk-rock trio, in protest over the re-election of Russian President Valdimir Putin, have been holding flash concerts in public places that had been attracting larger and larger young audiences. The government was obviously concerned about this and the last straw was when they performed in a church.
Now major, and non-punk, musicians are rallying to support the band. Paul McCartney is publicly telling the trio to stay strong and Madonna donned a Pussy Riot mask at a recent concert.
Throughout history art has been one of the largest transformers of social change. And if you think it is just in the US, think again. For example, if you look at the music scene of the 1960s, you’ll find numerous protests against the war, against racism and supporting feminism. Acts from the John Lennon, Bob Dylan, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell and others. But fortunately they weren’t jailed.
So what do you think? Where is the line between artistic expression and law & order? And what lengths would you be willing to go to?
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