While the Norman rapper released his new album “Civilization,” on November 17, his track “The smell of gasoline” is controversial. Orelsan is the target of a petition accusing him of using the term “Mongolian” in a “discriminatory” and “insulting” manner.
Posted on the Change.org site, this petition calls for a boycott of the artist. It has already collected nearly 13,000 signatures. Launched by the association Routes nomades, it points to the words of the flagship title of Orelsan’s fourth opus: “We take Mongols, give them arms / Call that” justice “, amazed at the dramas” then a little further “Since the Mongols became experts / Surrounded by Mongols, the Mongol Empire / We make the Mongols to please the Mongols”. A use of the term “Mongolian” which she considers offend “for the Mongolians and people originating from this culture”.
An attack on living together according to the association
“We consider that the use of the term” Mongolian “in this way is not only insulting, but also attacks Mongolian identity and trivializes the disrespect for human dignity” underlines the association. “As you know, the term” Mongolian “defines the cultural and national identity of a whole people” explains the association before adding: “This name which should be neutral like the adjectives” French “,” English “, “Jewish”, “inuit” and many others, is unfortunately still and always in use in French, connoted of “idiot”. (…) If the meaning of the song refers here to an idiotic person, and does not refer to people of Mongolian nationality or origin (from Mongolia), its use remains racist and discriminatory ”insists the association which intends to change things and takes Orelsan to task.
The association considers that “the act of the very popular singer Orelsan represents a danger to living together essential to the social cohesion of cosmopolitan society”. She also recalls that the artist has already been, in the past, at the heart of controversy evoking a “spokesperson for hatred, murder, and misogyny”. In 2009, his title “Sale p * te” had indeed provoked an outcry from feminist associations.
Today, the Nomadic Routes association is asking Orelsan to withdraw the parts it considers “insulting” as well as a public apology.