Torquil's rant: No, artists need not 'shut up and sing'
Torquil says celebrities have no less of a right to express their politics than anyone else.
In today's installment of Torquil Campbell's Rant or Rave column, Q's cultural correspondent takes issue with the "shut up and sing syndrome" and the antagonism directed at artists who weigh in on contentious political issues.
Whether it's Neil Young on the oilsands or Tanya Tagaq on the seal hunt, artists have received flack, even death threats, for publicly sharing their views.
"Being famous doesn't make your voice more important, but it doesn't make it less important either," he argues.
Listen to Torquil's rant and tell us: how do you react when celebrities speak up on highly political issues? Does it depend on whether you agree with their position?