The American singer started a “One minute” campaign calling the world to protest on behalf of a land where “torture never ends.”
by Kok Bayraq
American singer and Muslim convert Della Miles created a new song called “East Turkistan,” written by Turgay Evren, two weeks ago. I am sure different readers would have different opinions on the artistic merits of the song. To me, it is remarkable from humanitarian and political points of view.
The very name “East Turkistan” cannot be uttered in China. Afraid of this name, which evokes the independent Uyghur republic that once existed in what the Chinese call Xinjiang, China established concentration camps in the region and detained more than three million Uyghurs for six years.
Soccer star Mesut Özil and basketball star Enes Kanter Freedom were effectively removed from professional sports at the instigation of the Chinese for rebelling against this situation. Professor Olsi Yazexhi who upon seeing the camps, shouted “East Turkistan,” was expelled from his university in Albania.
Thus, Della Miles consciously or unconsciously “declared war” against China—at least in the eyes of Chinese authorities.
Judging by the lyrics of the song she sings, and especially the visuals it contains, she did not jump into this “battle” without thought. The singer’s tone, facial expression, and entire body language show that she feels every bit of the tragedy through the lyrics she sings from the depths of her heart.
“Torture never ends here
Women always wear tears
Young men are killed every year
East Turkistan!!!!…
What is the sin of the children?
Why is the hatred so big?
When will happiness appear?
East Turkistan!!!…
When will the world hear,
Who will wipe your tears?
How will mankind face fear?
What is the sin of the children?
Why is the hatred so big?
When will happiness appear?
East Turkistan!!!!!”
The ones most affected by this song were the Uyghurs in the diaspora, but the sincere feelings brought tears to the eyes of all suffering Uyghurs throughout the world.
This song presented an opportunity for Uyghur activists, who have repeatedly asked for help from celebrities around the world, to have their voices heard. Chairman of the East Turkestan National Assembly, Seyit Tümtürk, came to the city of Muğla in Turkey, where Miles was staying, and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Uyghur people. Impressed by each other’s positions, the two sides agreed to start a “One minute” campaign against China and held a press conference in Muğla to announce it.
Miles entered this battle not as a politician or an activist but as an artist. Without making a direct reference, she politely criticized China: “When I think [of] the people actually living today [in] such turmoil, it is hard for me to understand, [how, in a] world so big, [where] everyone has enough, we are full of greed. [It] actually makes me sad, and I don’t understand why it is happening!”
It seems that she entered this war regarding it as a moral duty: “I hope that there is more to do. I mean, the problem is still there, so hopefully together we can find a solution, even if we go there and give out what is necessary—what is needed. As I said in my concert, if one person in my concert can leave feeling better after hearing what I have to say, I feel like I have done what I could do!”
When a star’s humanitarian actions focus on urgent issues that are not on the general agenda, she fulfills her role as an artist, and the value of her actions increases.
With her “One minute” campaign, she is calling on China to stop the Uyghur genocide.
To block this discussion, China assembled a group of dictators and puppet states at the UN and refused to discuss the Human Rights Council’s request regarding the Uyghur issue. It also mobilized many “NGOs” around the world for this purpose. Chamath Palihapitiya, a businessman who fears China’s power, has said, “Nobody cares about the Uyghurs,” despite the fact that he came himself from a family that was a victim of human rights abuses. In the face of China’s power, American wrestling legend John Cena apologized to China for referring to Taiwan as a separate country. Considering these realities, Miles’s “East Turkistan” song and “One minute” campaign are truly extraordinary.
Judging from the following words at a press conference, Miles is not a person who follows only her instincts or does not consider China’s power and momentum: “This [is the] start of something bigger than we are; this is the start for everyone to get onward/ involved and say, ‘Hey, one minute,’ and behind that, we can say, ‘Wake up.’”
Miles is serious and firm about her challenge. She has promised the Uyghur people: “Yes, I am, in [the] long run, [and] we are, with you in thought. We are now gathering together, coming up with [a] plan. [We] will assist you [in the] best way possible. We [are] starting [a] campaign called ‘One minute.’ We [are] there for you, and we [are] starting this today until this problem [is] solved!”
At the end of this press conference, Della Miles and Seyit Tümtürk agreed to organize a “One minute” campaign tour worldwide, especially where diaspora Uyghurs are living.
Seyit Tümtürk said, “We started the ‘One minute’ movement with the tears of three million people living in the camps and the cries of mothers and children who were burned alive in the Urumqi fire disaster. I believe that when the Della Miles proliferate in the world and the murderers lose their accomplices, the murderers will be humbled or punished [and] the world will be filled with peace, love and beauty.”
Yes, this is a singer’s challenge to a superpower to stop the Uyghur genocide that it started.
