Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Fighting for the Right to Rock





They cannot perform in public. They cannot pose for album cover photographs. Even their jam sessions are secret, for fear of offending the religious authorities in this ultraconservative kingdom.

But the members of Saudi Arabia’s first all-girl rock band, the Accolade, are clearly not afraid of taboos.
--The New York Times

It's easy to forget that females in United States (and countries like Australia) have rights that aren't shared by hundreds of millions of girls/women around the world. The ladies of Saudi heavy metal girl-group Accolade have become heroes for doing things that would seem quite ordinary to most of us. But in a country where women aren't allowed to drive and the religious police are always watching, wearing jeans and writing rock songs about relationships can get you into a lot of hot water (to say the least).

So the next time each of us has an opportunity to do something brave, we should make sure to seize it. (By the way, did I mention that Accolade is looking for a drummer?)

Read more here and listen to Accolade's music here. (Not my cup of tea, but that's OK.)

9 comments:

Ren (All By MySHELF) said...

That is so wrong. Good for Accolade, though. They shouldn't let oppressive laws keep them from rocking out. I'll have to check out their music.
It's things like this that make me really, really happy that America is all equal rights and whatnot.

IDHSCB said...

A man without a woman, is incomplete. A woman without a man is also incomplete. They are two HALVES to create an ultimate.
Thus, we are equal in all things in life, whether by pure equality or by the subject of pros and cons to create equality overall.

Thumb Biter said...

That's really cool - and I actually kind of like their music :D but I was surprised that they sing in English. it would have been interesting to hear Arabic heavy metal xD

Rie said...

IDHSCB--People should aim to be complete unto themselves, men and women. I don't want to start trouble her for Kirsten, but that's the kind of attitude that has held women and men back for so long. While we can help each other, there is absolutely no reason why a man NEEDS a woman, or a woman NEEDS a man. Wanting one in their life is something different, but needing the opposite sex to be complete in your life is unnecessary.

Kirsten Miller said...

Rie: I think his/her point was that we're all equal. Which is true. But I also agree with you that it's important to be self-sufficient, too.

KikiStrike20 said...

that is soooooooooo sexist!i dont think God would seriously mind if a woman played rock music. if so, im in lots of trouble. i think thats good 4 them. theyre not gonna let a bnch of dudes tell them what to do. my parents keep saying im gonna be a feminist when i grow up.

Kitty said...

What's wrong with women playing music? OoO I SUPPORT YOU ACCOLADE!!

ss chick! said...

wow. i love you accolade. ok, your music isnt my fav, but i am mucho impressed. YOU GOTTA FIGHT...FOR YOUR RIGHT...TO PAAAARTY! ps: i love beastie boys ^^

ss chick! said...

pps: kikistrike20: true dat. if 'He' shunned chicks playing rock, i would be dead long ago. ok, only like 3 tears ago, but thats almost a long time.