I write songs about it. I yell about it on stage. I post on social media about it. I acknowledge complexity and then act as if it's simple and obvious.
I do it cos ever since I was a kid I've carried a deep empathy and desire for justice. Christianity contributed to that, but I can also trace a direct line to hip hop culture, and the messages from Public Enemy, Paris and Queen Latifah etc. I think my deep curiosity comes from my mum and her acceptance of me and whatever decisions I made.
They all set examples for me in different ways and I think the sum total is far more good than bad.
Years ago I met a Palestinian artist and offered her a job at Elefant Traks. I kinda realised at some point that I was much more socially curious about Islam than about Christianity, and I felt justified having been brought up as a Christian—as if my lived experience granted me that right. Over time, however, I reflected and softened my stance. It made sense that if I’m curious about and accepting of someone else's faith, I should be consistent with the religion that once defined me. It's like going to another city or country, and discovering how much you actually love and appreciate your own. A couple years later I employed a young devout Christian. We're all works in progress.
Things work in mysterious ways.
None of us have it all worked out. I think I’ll keep yelling loudly but try to tread lightly through the unknown.
