Beloved Swedish rapper, author, and public figure, Jason "Timbuktu" Diakité, known for his music, writing, and social activism, took to instagram a few days ago to strongly speak out against the war in Gaza. He did this by joining the ‘Not Controversial’ social media campaign where public figures are encouraged to add personal pictures to statements that are obvious and shouldn't be controversial but still are for some reason. Jason chose to post his personal picture on Instagram coupled with the statement: “It is not controversial to say that it is always, always wrong to kill children.” As a caption to his Instagram post he wrote:
“In 272 days and nights (minus seven days of ceasefire, 24-30/11), the population of Gaza has been attacked. With the most high-tech and powerful weapons, one of the world's most powerful war machines has methodically chosen to assault an entire community. The number of murdered, mutilated, burned, crushed, charred, shot, traumatized, starved, injured, buried, missing, scared, and frightened children is literally impossible to count right now. What is certain is that none of Gaza's approximately one million children have been left untouched by the Israeli government's criminal actions. One million children's lives and one million lifetimes and one million memories and one million nightmares. One million reasons. One million children. I am the father of two children who for now are spared the terror that the sound of bombers, tanks, death screams, and violence bring.
All the bombs, all the tears shed today, all the hatred, all the lies spread today erode and decimate the tomorrows for all children, everywhere.
It is not complex, it is not complicated, and it is completely #notcontroversial to say ceasefire now. Stop the bombing. Stop the killing.”
An Important Voice
Jason’s voice on this issue is important because of his position as a prominent musician but more importantly because of his track record as a human rights activist. Diakité has written books that delve into themes of identity, racism, and heritage. He advocates for social justice, equality, and anti-racism and frequently speaks on issues related to racial discrimination, integration, and cultural identity.
He is of mixed African American and Swedish descent, which influences much of his artistic and activist work. Overall, Jason "Timbuktu" Diakité is a multifaceted influential voice in discussions about race, identity, and social justice in Sweden and beyond.
The #Notcontroversial Movement
The "Not Controversial" campaign in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden engages celebrities on social media to address and promote non-controversial issues, typically related to human rights, climate change and environmental sustainability. The campaign leverages the influence of celebrities from various fields, including actors, musicians, athletes, and influencers, and uses their platforms to advocate for the campaign’s messages and reach a broader audience. By framing an important issue as "not controversial," the campaign aims to depoliticize the issue, emphasizing that protecting humanity is a common-sense approach that benefits all. Through this effort, the "Not Controversial" campaign hopes to normalize sustainable behaviors and create a cultural shift towards a collective consciousness.