Following Cornell University’s cancellation of the forthcoming concert over a pro-Palestine stance, Kehlani denied her antisemitic stance.
Born Kehlani Ashley Parrish, the R&B singer, who uses she/they pronouns, was slated to headline the New York university’s annual Slope Day celebration on May 7, before her performance was cancelled last week.
According to The New York Times, Cornell president Michael I. Kotlikoff issued an email to students and staff stating that many from the school’s community expressed “grave concerns” about Kehlani’s booking as she had “espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments” on social media and in music videos.
Taking to TikTok over the weekend, the musician appeared in a video alongside their Jewish-Palestinian best friend and Jewish studio engineer, insisting she was not antisemitic:
“I am being asked and called to clarify and make a statement yet again for the millionth time that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew.” “I am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I’m anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women – that’s what I’m anti.”
Stating that the accusations kept “coming up as a means to silence me,:” the American-born artist pointed out that they’ve been working with the organization Jewish Voices for Peace since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023.
In the caption, Kehlani added, “ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. from day one it’s been clear. I know you’ve seen Cornell University cancelled my show, and now there are attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations I’ve already experienced over the past year… Don’t make it anti-Jew. This is a played out game. All this because we want people to stop dying (sic).”
The now 30-year old talent has been a vocal supporter for Palestine amid the ongoing war, and even performed in front of the Palestinian flag in the music video for their 2024 song ‘Next 2 U.’
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: The Come Up Show