System Of A Down drummer John Dolmayan responded to a harsh criticism accusing him and his comic book store, Torpedo Comics, being racist and claimed that he had several employees of all genders, sexual orientations, and races.
As you might remember, John Dolmayan has been the target of the reactions of the fans as a result of his statements about Donald Trump. As a devoted supporter of President Trump and his politics, Dolmayan also showed his reaction against the violent behaviors of the protestors via his social media accounts during the demonstrations against racism and police brutality.
Recently, the talented musician and entrepreneur John Dolmayan received another criticism related to his comic book store named Torpedo Comics. John founded and runs his high-end comic book store in Las Vegas. The store was specialized rare and hard to find comic books.
A Facebook user named Jeff Jones claimed that Torpedo Comics was owned by a ‘fascist sympathizer.’ In his harsh criticism, Jeff stated that if a person was a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and women’s choice, she/he should think twice about buying something from John Dolmayan’s comic store.
Here’s what Jeff Jones stated in his accusation against John Dolmayan:
“Torpedo Comics is owned by a fascist sympathizer who pedals in racist conspiracy theories. If you care about Black lives, women’s choice, and actually fighting racism and fascism please do not buy from this store.”
As a response to the harsh criticism, Dolmayan shared a statement on his Instagram account. John claimed that ‘Jeff Jones’ didn’t sound like a real person at all. Even if he was a real person, his accusations against John was mainly because he had different opinions on social and political matters. He emphasized the fact that he had the right to free speech like everyone else.
Furthermore, Dolmayan mentioned that in his company, he had more than 20 employees from different races, political affiliations, and sexual orientations. John added he would be welcoming people in his store no matter what, unlike these people who criticized him harshly whenever he shared his opinions on certain subjects.
Here’s what John Dolmayan stated in his response to the claims against his company:
“This is ‘Jeff Jones,’ he doesn’t like my comic book company torpedo comics because I have views that differ from his ( if he exists at all). This is of course he’s right, what ‘Jeff’ fails to understand is that the tactics he’s employing including cancel culture and shaming based on a false moral high ground are simply fascist tactics being employed by someone who doesn’t understand or care that I have over 20 employees of all genders, political affiliations, sexual orientations, races, etc, and that they choose to work for me because they are free to be whoever they want to be so long as they do their jobs and are happy.
Of course, I do myself no favors expressing my opinions on social media but it is my opinion that it’s important to have differing views especially when you consider the band I’m in and how polarizing some of our messages were though they didn’t necessarily represent the opinions of all of us all the time.”
He continued:
“If I simply kept my mouth shut as some of you would prefer there would be one less voice speaking against the willful destruction and hate that is consuming so many people, hate and anger that will only bring a stronger and more violent reaction from opposing ideals. This helps no one.
Some of you would like my voice silenced and for me to lose everything I have and shutter my business up forever but I will defy you and continue to exercise my first amendment rights peacefully and support you or any opposing mindsets rights to freely voice those ideas I would spend a lifetime arguing against as long as you do so peacefully and without destruction.
My company is called torpedo comics and we welcome all of you irrespective of your politics.”
You can see the photo John Dolmayan posted on his Instagram account below.
