Rexdale homeboy K'Naan is singing a peppy, harmless World Cup version of Waving Flag these days, after being flown around the world by Coke, but he's still the dusty foot philosopher who rose to success speaking his mind about Somali pirates and other touchy subjects.
So, comfortably ensconced in Johannesburg for the World Cup, he must have known things would heat up when he wrote this, at about 11 a.m. EDT Monday, on his Facebook page:
My heart is pained for the loss of civilian lives aboard an Aid ship to Gaza. And Israel, you are WRONG for this.
The approving reaction from his fans included some much more pointed condemnation of Israel. In fact, K'Naan sparked a rolling online brawl over Israel, aid groups, Palestinians and much more. You have to admire his attempts to ride herd over the unbridled, unfiltered commenters.
Here, in chronological order are the rest of K'Naan's posts from Monday, ending at about 9:30 p.m. EDT as he tries to inject some love into the debate. (The dashes inserted into the f-word are mine). He was at it again Tuesday - those updates are at the bottom of this post.
Be on your brother side when he's right, and be on his side when he's wrong...by telling him that he's wrong. #Flotilla
My dry words pain u, thank God 4 music, for without it I would B at odds w/ so many ppl. Love me through my songs, & i'll luv U in melody
My facebook fans are using my earlier comments 2 divide themselves. What I'm about to say now may complicate things further, but it's true:
I love Israel, I love those bringing aid 2 Gaza, I love all of humanity! Hence my frustration, 4 where there's no love, there's no criticism
The fury of the 1 track mind is sad & frightening. Saying that I have love for people is not the same as saying I support Israel's actions.
You must realize I have been faced with similar scenarios at gunpoint, & I have never ever said "f--- the other clan" Ppl, we can be better!
And
to the Muslims who are now angry at me for my last comments, and who
say "f--- Israel" maybe you have not read the Quran lately.
Yes, there needs 2 be justice 4 the brave victims on those boats. Yes Gaza is in a dire & humiliating situation. And yes I LOVE HUMANITY!
All I can hope is that you understand me, or understand my dream here, if not, it's a failure of my articulation. But I leave you with this
"Muslim Jews & Christians war, no one's left to praise the Lord" - Me. #flotilla
Goodnight, and please understand that most of you who were offended, probably just misunderstood my comments. I send you my love.
In one day I've managed 2 offend the State of Israel, my own Muslim community, & my musician friends. Tomorrow I will take on Wonder bread!
You might think K'Naan would sleep on it and decide to get back to parties and soccer. But he's not done yet. About 11 hours after the previous update is this:
If I say I love Somalia, does it mean I love warlords, instability and our never ending clan feuds?
and then these:
So why does I love Israel, not make you think of the people of Israel, the ppl of Jacob (yacquub) & only the sate of Israel..
Love all people, governments & greed are the same everywhere. We Somalis are no better, we kill 2 seem more religious than another thse days
There's a difference between explaining myself & explaining something 4 the sake of others. 1 is out of fear, the other is out generosity
I'm done now, I hope the world learns to be brave against tyranny, and I hope other artist speak up even if it means selling less records.
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