The debate over the cultural appropriation of dreadlocks continues. After several recently canceled concerts, this time it was the Austrian musician Mario Parizek. According to the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” and “Züri Today”, his appearance at the bar “Das Gleis” in Zurich did not materialize. Those responsible for “Gleis” stated that the “discomfort of our fellow men” was the decisive factor in the decision. Parizek feels misunderstood.
The musician himself shared the incident on social media. He attests to those responsible for a “more or less fascist attitude”. He got his dreadlocks as a teenager to show in a right-wing village that there were other people too. Today he is discriminated by the “left corner”. “I have no words for it,” Parizek said.
No attitude from those responsible
Those responsible for “Gleis” stated online that, as a collective, they had no position on the topic of cultural appropriation. The “Gleis” crew argues, “We didn’t cancel this show because of your Rastas, but because of the extreme discomfort of our fellow humans.” In addition, there was a “financial replacement” for Mario Parizek. The musician was offered an “open dialogue”. However, the artist would have refused. He accepted financial compensation. (apa/luw/nt)