I was born and raised behind the Iron Curtain. Reading xeroxed books, watching movies from VHS tapes at secret gatherings, and listening to rock music were forms of resistance. Wearing long hair as a man was an act of bravery. The very few of us who had long hair were rebels, artists or undercover governmental agents, respectively, provocateurs.
In the 80s, I was a teenager, and besides various bands from Hungary, I fell in love with Motorhead, The Clash, and other similar monstrosities. We devoured every single record smuggled into Romania, from the Beatles to Venom, without discrimination. So, I emerged into Pink Floyd’s The Wall, just as much as I banged my head on Metallica’s Ride the Lightning.
One consequence of growing up under tyranny and oppression is a learned scepticism toward government and media.
“Mother, should I trust the government?”
Clearly no, under no circumstances. Pandemic anybody?
Fast forward to 2026: governments have not changed but got under corporate control; the media have been perverted into propaganda; the internet is a zoo and a tool for mass surveillance and zombification; and I mostly listen to jazz and instrumental rock because I cannot stand the political views of those I once admired.
I don’t need artists, actors, and musicians telling me what’s right or wrong in the world, what I should feel, think, say, and believe, or who I should hate and whom I should vote for. Except if you’re not a complete idiot or brain-dead, those times are gone. I dislike activists as much as I do politicians, and artists who have turned into propagandists and politicians. Sorry, guys, I’m not sorry.
We are all faulty humans. One person can be right about one topic and wrong about another. Nobody has a monopoly on truth and can always be right. Nobody. Stop preaching!
It’s one of the reasons we used to say we have to separate the work from its creator. This is how I can still occasionally listen to “Wish You Were Here” or a brilliant album such as “Radio K.A.O.S.” while disagreeing with Mr Waters’ views.
Likewise, people in the crowd at Mr Waters’ gigs can agree or disagree with some of his views. We are allowed to have different opinions. Only in fascism or communism do we all need to agree and be fully aligned.
If I want to attend a political rally, I can, but when I go to a show, I want to enjoy myself.
So, stop being a prick and further dividing people because of your beliefs. Stop spreading hate in the name of love.
Art is supposed to bring people together and heal.
As long as you’re famous and rich, you have the means to support whichever cause you like, such as the All Within My Hands Foundation. Save yourself first, then do something for your community if you can.
Quietly.
#attilakarpathy #politics #rogerwaters #metallica
