The 1975, Nile Rodgers, More Sign Open Letter to Combat Racism in the Music Industry

The 1975, Nile Rodgers, Jessie Ware, and more have signed a new open letter pledging to fight against systemic racism and other forms of prejudice within the music industry, as Variety points out. The #NoSilenceInMusic letter was also signed by over 700 members of the U.K. music industry, including producers, songwriters, managers, and more.

“We, representatives from the music industry, write to demonstrate and express our determination, that love, unity and friendship, not division and hatred, must and will always be our common cause,” the letter begins. Signees also pledged to “speak out and stand together in solidarity” when witnessing issues of “islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia, and transphobia” in addition to systemic racism. “We stand together, to educate and wipe out racism now and for our future generations,” the letter concludes. Read it in full below (via Variety).

The letter arrives days after London rapper Wiley was dropped by his management company following a series of anti-Semitic statements and remarks that he posted on social media. On Tuesday (July 28), the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) shared an open letter signed by artists including Mick Jagger, Lorde, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, and more regarding the unauthorized use of music by politicians.

Read “Can Pop Stars Be Political Organizers?” over on the Pitch.

We, representatives from the music industry, write to demonstrate and express our determination, that love, unity and friendship, not division and hatred, must and will always be our common cause.

In recent months through a series of events and incidents, the anti-black racists and antisemites, plus those who advocate islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia, have repeatedly demonstrated that they clearly want us all to fail. Whether it be systemic racism and racial inequality highlighted by continued police brutality in America or anti-Jewish racism promulgated through online attacks, the result is the same: suspicion, hatred and division. We are at our worst when we attack one another.

Minorities from all backgrounds and faiths have struggled and suffered. From slavery to the Holocaust we have painful collective memories. All forms of racism have the same roots — ignorance, lack of education and scapegoating. We, the British music industry are proudly uniting to amplify our voices, to take responsibility, to speak out and stand together in solidarity. Silence is not an option.

There is a global love for music, irrespective of race, religion, sexuality and gender. Music brings joy and hope and connects us all. Through music, education and empathy we can find unity. We stand together, to educate and wipe out racism now and for our future generations.