MIA has accused the MTV Video Music Awards of “racism, sexism, classism, elitism” after the video for her single Borders was not included on this year’s nominee list.
The self-directed video makes a statement on the refugee crisis, portraying groups of men packed on flotilla boats, while others scale vast border fences topped with barbed wire.
The VMA shortlist, announced earlier this week, is dominated by Beyoncé’s Lemonade, an artist MIA condemned this year for not being vocal about issues beyond Black Lives Matter. “Is Beyoncé or Kendrick Lamar going to say Muslim Lives Matter? Or Syrian Lives Matter? Or this kid in Pakistan matters?” she told the Evening Standard in April.
Posting a series of messages on Twitter today, the Sri Lankan rapper writes:
MIA - BORDERS is not included in the VMAs #hahahahhaahahhaha!! Racism sexism classism elitism #dontwantyourlane!
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
BORDERS came representing people outside US showing 🌍. This is a perfect example of "allowed" voice vs excluded voices .Even if U direct it.
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
not here 4 EGO or Accolades but know before you tell other 🌍 artists they have the same platform as major US artists coz they don't #🌍
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
Her reference to “allowed’ voice v excluded voices” alludes to MIA’s original comments surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, which eventually led to her being dropped from the bill of London’s Afropunk festival.
“After discussing the situation with the artist and the community, a decision was agreed upon by all involved that MIA will no longer headline Afropunk London,” a statement from the festival read last week, after ticketholders threatened to boycott the event. “A key part of the Afropunk ethos has always been educating one another, breaking down boundaries and sparking conversation about race, gender, religion, sex, culture and everything that makes life worth living.”
