Subscribe to RSSRussia attacks free speech, punk music
By Amanda Horner
(Political cartoon by Brian Regan)
On Aug. 17, a court in Moscow sentenced three members of the Russian feminist-punk band Pussy Riot to two years in prison. The charges against these women fall under Article 213 of the Criminal Code in Russia: “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.” On Feb. 21, members of the band, clad in brightly colored ski masks, sang their song “Hail Mary, Putin’s Run,” outside Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. They were promptly arrested. Activists and musicians across the globe have spoken in outrage against the recent imprisonment of these women. Russian police continues their search for the remaining members.
Pussy Riot’s alleged hooliganism began in late 2011, after being inspired by Western music of a similar message and style such as underground feminist-punk bands like Riot Grrrl, Bratmobile or Bikini Kill, who address topics such as rape, empowerment and patriarchy. Pussy Riot began by making speeches and impromptu ‘concerts’ in populated Moscow areas, such as train and bus stations, and voicing their hatred for President Vladimir Putin. Some of the members even announced themselves as anarchists.
Even for an authoritarian state like Russia, their sentences were extreme. To put it into perspective, on March 22 of this year, a 22-year-old man stormed a Russian cathedral, destroyed a candelabrum, drove a knife into a cross and punched a priest repeatedly in the chest. The man proceeded to kick doors down in the building, while screaming profanity. Pussy Riot’s “Punk Prayer” consisted of no violence, which is necessary to include the religious hatred portion of the charge. Nevertheless, the same charge was issued.
During an e-mail conversation I had with a friend of mine — who is a student and citizen in Russia — she said, “The government is just trying to show our nation who’s the boss, and people are being provoked. And for what? Pussy Riot became popular only because of their ‘performances,’ not their music.” She added, “You would have to be an idiot to cause a scandal in this country, knowing the rules of the game.”
Levada Research Group, an independent poll company in Russia, showed that only six percent of Russians had sympathy for the women, and that 51 percent said they felt no fondness for the women, but rather contempt and irritation.
Despite the minimal support from their own nation, musicians across the globe such as Madonna and Paul McCartney have spoken out against the sentencing and in favor of freedom of speech. Pussy Riot’s debut album translates from Russian as “Kill the Sexist,” which is far too radical and not representative of true feminist ideology. The message from the band seems a bit misguided, but it’s clear the women have good intentions behind their actions — sticking up for the rights which have been eluding Russians since the fall of the Soviet Union, and long before.
Yet, the focus has taken a huge shift from their anti-authoritarian and feminist ideologies to women. Despite their noble cause, they may be going about trying to make change in the wrong way. All publicity is good publicity certainly doesn’t apply here. By causing a scene at the Cathedral, they have alienated members of the church, and stirring a revolution without support from the rest of Russia will prove to be a failure. Spreading their message will prove an impossible task from within prison walls.
It is greatly unfortunate these revolutionaries cannot express themselves and speak out against their oppressive government. However, it is courageous women and men such as these who will ultimately initiate change in the system. The popular outrage that has ensued in the U.S. and other European countries should serve as an example to deter other governments — including our own — from passing and enforcing similar oppressive policies. If the U.S and other major powers in Europe put pressure and attention on the situation, it could result in the women’s release, which is at least a small step in the right direction.
