M.I.A.

October 16, 2007 | Filed Under Main, Music |

Ah, the things we learn in a day…

I mentioned earlier that I thought M.I.A.’s new record “Kala” is one of the best of the year. Then I remembered that a woman who works in my office was from Sri Lanka (via London). So I asked her if she knew M.I.A..

“Yes”, she said curtly. “I hope you don’t like her.”
Why?
“Because she supports the terrorists - the Tamil Tigers!”

oh.

Hello? Wikapedia? (actually I used Encarta)

The Tamil Tigers are a terrorist group in Sri Lanka similar to the IRA. The Tamil people form part of the society in Sri Lanka and Southern India. There has been tensions between them and the main ruling class for years and - after a few serious ethnic clashes - 100,000 Tamils fled into Sounthern India. The Tigers or LTTE (The Liberation Tigers of Eelam) are a separtist group fighting for a separate Tamil nation and use violence and assasinations to get their point across (sound familiar?).

From what I read, M.I.A.’s father joined the Tigers when the violence started and she and her mom left for London. Supposedly, there has been no contact between them for years. But she filters ethnic struggles, fighting for your rights and a no BS attitude through her songs.

So - a little less ignorant. I still think the record is hot.

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