Sinéad was right.
I was fully aware of how controversial Sinéad O'connor was back when I was a young person, in my teens. None of my friends were listening to her music at the time. It was about when the world turned its back on the Singer.
They adored her for as long as she would only voice her songs and not her political opinions on stage. And yet it was precisely this outspokenness and the "no fucks given" attitude that I admired from day one.
It was the feeling of being an outsider but speaking the truth and not caring about the consequences. It was related to growing up in a fundamentalistic Christian household but asking questions and demanding answers.
I have always used music to get in touch with my emotions. Therefore songs with solid lyrical value were always more respectable for me.
The Singer and songwriter undoubtedly always had a gift for the art of writing lyrics that take the listener to new and undiscovered places.
I remember listening to the song "The Last Day of Our Acquaintance" and breaking out in tears, starting to process the loss of a dear friend who had taken their own life.
Sinéad helped me through many emotional rollercoasters in my life, and, to this day, she is one of my go-to artists when I self-reflect and need to listen to my inner voice for guidance.
Over the last couple of months, I have learned how my political side is returning. After being silenced by life and abusive people in my circle, I want to use my art and design language to send a more straightforward political message.
"They wanted to Bury me but they did not realise that I was a seed."
This quote sums up what I took from the documentary, a powerful quote Sinead says at the end of the documentary by the greek poet Dinos Christianopoulos.
To say that Shuhada Sadaqat aka Sinéad O'Connor was before her time when it came to her opinions, style, her gender fluid appearance and even music is a given for me.keeping that in mind I was shocked by the people who mocked her and claim to be Feminists themselves. Madonna for example.
What is it that fascinates me about this woman? What draws me to her, is her ability to search for the truth even if this means that it will cause exclusion and being put in uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situations.
Putting the search for truth first may often mean that
I am aware that I am a polarising person. Even among artists that appear to have the similar background as myself and understand certain narratives I find myself speechless on how little understanding there is for many political issues.
We call ourselves feminists and yet we do not empower minorities, we claim to be activists and yet do not implement basic human rights in our own circle.
In a way, what Sinéad was/is to the music Industry I want to be for the fashion & art Industry. It is not about shaming and calling people out but It is about how do we change conditioning that we have been made aware of by other or by realising that how we are dealing with friends, employees, partners and friends is just not okay anymore. It is about growth.