EmpowHer was supposed to be a femme-led festival with Kehlani headlining. Then a quiet email: postponed, "due to a safety & security matter." No artist statement. That was it.
She had posted in support of Palestine. Anti-genocide. Her NYC show got pulled. The usual accusations followed. She said it plain: being anti-genocide is not antisemitic. EmpowHer got swept into the same weather.
This is not new for Black, queer, femme artists who say something real. She lit a candle. She was treated like a problem.
I was disappointed. I can hold that and still not pretend the music has to go on no matter what it costs her. Sometimes the show stops because the room is not safe. That is not flaking.
EmpowHer will probably be back. Kehlani is not going anywhere. I wanted the night. I wanted her in one piece more.
