Why is it so evil to not do politics? He’s not harming anyone.
It’s impossible to “not do politics”, that’s a bullshit excuse for taking whichever political position is easier and more self serving, or requires less thought. Sheeran chose to comply with demands to deplatform one of his supporting acts, to silence dissent against zionist interests. There was no apolitical decision to be made. A choice not to act is still a choice. He had to pick a side and he picked the genocidal one.
Don’t get me wrong, I think what he did was dumb and selfish rather than deliberately evil, and I can sympathize with that to a degree. He just wanted to maintain a comfortable status quo. But we should recognize that inaction and compliance in the face of injustice makes us all complicit, and there are times when the degree of complicity is simply unacceptable.
You do realize he’s not the one who did the ultimatum against Macklemore, right? There was no way he was going to continue. Ed’s two options were cancel the tour and pay the dude (who supports genocide) 70 or so millions of dollars (cancellation fee), or just finish the thing.
Even Macklemore came out to defend Ed and was quite clear he’s not to blame.
So, what would you do - pay Kraft 70 million, or continue solo?
Speak against genocide live on stage? Bash Kraft to the ground live on stage for what he did? Roll a list of brand shares that he has and tell people to boycott them? Declare live on stage that some portion of the concert revenue will be used to support Palestine aid groups? With any of these Kraft would have lost (and depending on how brave you are some would give him grounds for legal repercussions some would not). With the meek response that Ed has given, Kraft has gotten away with what he did. No consequences is how you don’t get peace.
How the fuck is an artist playing music = supporting genocide? How is refraining from political statements = taking sides? How is organizing a tour with Pro-Palestine people = being a complete wanker? Why is such massive cyber bullying okay when he literally didn’t hurt anyone and was basically afraid? Lefties, u ok?
EDIT: This might actually be my first time using a word “lefties” ever since I turned centric (was fully on the left, but over months Lemmy convinced me to keep a distance). Both far sides are nuts.
Not even the artists are on your bullying side. Conservatives did a move and now y’all are attacking the one guy that didn’t do shit. How is he more hated than Kraft??
“How is refraining from political statements = taking sides”
It doesn’t have to be taking sides. It is just not a good behaviour.
Imagine someone is walking in the street and another person is killing a child. Is it taking sides to walk by and not even call the police? Maybe not, but it sure as hell is a horrible behaviour. Imagine now this person who does nothing is actually a prominent kid books’ author. That is Ed in a nutshell.
He’s an artist. I think you really need to understand what that means. Some inspire with action, some with protests, others with riots, someone else by offing some health insurance CEO, and then there are some who inspire people with songs. He’s not the type to attack the killer, but he’s the type to inspire 10 other people to fight back. What is so hard to understand about this?
Answer me this - Did Ed bring attention to Palestine by organizing this tour, accepting Macklemore, allowing him to do his thing, and then getting into drama?
You cannot tell me what happened hurt Palestine. It was straight up one of the more successful events that brought attention to Palestine.
No, Macklemore is an artist. Sheeran’s behavior has downgraded himself to professional clown.
Answer me this - Did Ed bring attention to Palestine by organizing this tour, accepting Macklemore, allowing him to do his thing, and then getting into drama?
Do you think this was intentional? I don’t think Sheeran is that stupid, or that smart.
You cannot tell me what happened hurt Palestine. It was straight up one of the more successful events that brought attention to Palestine.
Maybe, but to me that just shows how all of the other Palestine advocacy has been having an effect. This is a result of years of (largely anonymous) tireless struggle for justice, not a random situation that “just happened” to break in favor of Palestine.
If there is anyone to thank for the publicity Gaza had gained through this, it is Macklemore who has taken a stance which is way more risky for him than is for Ed. He is just a neutral passanger in this drama.
I am sure by just singing about peace Ed has done more than me in promoting peace then I have ever done with continously disseminating facts about what is going on in Gaza in online platforms or participating in demonstrations. But proportionally to our sphere of influence, what he has done is minute compared to mine. I am using most likely the totality of my sphere of influence where he is using literally none to hold state of Israel accountable for the genocide.
For me, if I hold the wrong sign in those demonstrations, my life could be really seriously impacted, I might even lose my job. But is that the most I could do? Absolutely not, I could be in a flotilla but I am not brave (and probably not well connected) enough to do that. But I am definitely doing things that push me and move me out of my comfort zone. Ed? He stands to lose some money and maybe Israeli fans oblivious to atrocities committed by their home goverments. And all he does is make a declaration that looks more like playing both sides.
If there is anyone to thank for the publicity Gaza had gained through this, it is Macklemore who has taken a stance
Remind me, Macklemore joined what tour? Are you just going to ignore the fact that all of this happened because Ed organized a tour with people vocal about Palestine?
I mean it is not so far from saying if Robert Kraft hadn’t built/sponsored stadiums than this tour wouldn’t be and Macklemore wouldn’t be able to voice his opinion. Not really, Macklemore would voice his opinion one way or another. That is the difference between people who are not afraid to voice their opinions, they do not need per chance drama to contribute. And we don’t know if Ed organized this tour thinking Macklemore would voice his opinions in such a way and if he knew would he try to convince him not to or not. Again the difference between people who voice their opinions and those who don’t, we can only speculate.
Again, claiming to not take a side when we can all see with our eyes that genocide is taking place, is in fact taking a side.
Ignoring something IS a stance, I hate to be the one to apparently burst this bubble for you, but you can’t just opt out of life and claim things don’t matter to you.
You’re giving me the “I don’t do politics and that’s fine” argument.
Politicians literally dictate our entire lives and silence in the face of political injustice isn’t JUST a stance, it’s downright cowardice.
Also duh fuck Robert Kraft stop the crap man, two people can in fact work together to be pieces of shit.
It’s like with Russians and zionists where “if you’re not with us, you’re against us”.
“things don’t matter to you” does not equal apolitism or nonpartisanship. Artists who refrain from politics or speaking on geopolitical matters were historically regarded as more respectful. Each time I saw one doing it, wave of people commented “maybe celebrities should not do political speeches”, but I guess that’s false if it’s someone you agree with, and true if it’s someone you disagree with, just like with censorship on opposite side.
Each time I saw one doing it, wave of people commented “maybe celebrities should not do political speeches”
So you’re just saying what you heard other people say, then? Why not think for yourself?
I’ve never been critical of celebrities expressing political opinions. Lots of people never have been. Lots of people always thought that everyone has a right to express political opinions. It sounds like you’re making up a hypocritical person and then castigating them, rather than actually reading what people are saying to you.
So, you’re not a CIA shill? You’re really trying to pin your political views on us? I’ll male it even easier for you: once the revolution happens you’ll end up in a laogai-style camp.
EDIT: I’m actually curious - what political opinion? The fact that both far sides are nuts (like you’re successfully showcasing)? Would not CIA dislike me for shitting on far right? What political opinion would CIA hold? Pretty sure they are not independent and does what your government tells them to do.
It’s true that he was in a corner and there was no easy way out, and I’m sure Macklemore never wanted to put him in that position. He still made the wrong choice though.
He could have dug his heels in and defied Kraft, maybe cancel the tour, whatever it takes. If it cost him 70 million, he can afford that, but given the unreasonable basis of Kraft’s demands, I expect there’s a legal case to be fought there. He would have had a lot of support, and it would have been a public disgrace for Kraft. Sometimes you just need to grow a spine and do what’s right. Money isn’t everything.
I do feel some sympathy for Ed Sheeran. He just wanted to do his thing and not be in the political spotlight. And when it comes to punishing people for complying with injustice, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. But I am glad of the conversation it has sparked. When the time comes to not comply, we need to recognize that moment, and we also need to recognize what it means to say “I don’t do politics”.
It’s impossible to “not do politics”, that’s a bullshit excuse for taking whichever political position is easier and more self serving, or requires less thought. Sheeran chose to comply with demands to deplatform one of his supporting acts, to silence dissent against zionist interests. There was no apolitical decision to be made. A choice not to act is still a choice. He had to pick a side and he picked the genocidal one.
Don’t get me wrong, I think what he did was dumb and selfish rather than deliberately evil, and I can sympathize with that to a degree. He just wanted to maintain a comfortable status quo. But we should recognize that inaction and compliance in the face of injustice makes us all complicit, and there are times when the degree of complicity is simply unacceptable.
You do realize he’s not the one who did the ultimatum against Macklemore, right? There was no way he was going to continue. Ed’s two options were cancel the tour and pay the dude (who supports genocide) 70 or so millions of dollars (cancellation fee), or just finish the thing.
Even Macklemore came out to defend Ed and was quite clear he’s not to blame.
So, what would you do - pay Kraft 70 million, or continue solo?
Speak against genocide live on stage? Bash Kraft to the ground live on stage for what he did? Roll a list of brand shares that he has and tell people to boycott them? Declare live on stage that some portion of the concert revenue will be used to support Palestine aid groups? With any of these Kraft would have lost (and depending on how brave you are some would give him grounds for legal repercussions some would not). With the meek response that Ed has given, Kraft has gotten away with what he did. No consequences is how you don’t get peace.
You do realize ed absolutely had the power to stand with Macklemore. He chose not to. Ed chose to support the genocide.
Macklemore is being nice, as friends generally are.
Ed Sheeran could not play this entire tour, and live the rest of his life financially stable and then have wealth leftover for his family’s family.
Dude who doesn’t even need it, chose the genocide.
I’m not buying this bullshit anymore. Human lives over money, every single time.
How the fuck is an artist playing music = supporting genocide? How is refraining from political statements = taking sides? How is organizing a tour with Pro-Palestine people = being a complete wanker? Why is such massive cyber bullying okay when he literally didn’t hurt anyone and was basically afraid? Lefties, u ok?
EDIT: This might actually be my first time using a word “lefties” ever since I turned centric (was fully on the left, but over months Lemmy convinced me to keep a distance). Both far sides are nuts.
EDIT: Another one: https://www.threads.com/@billboard/post/DddTCGrDot5/
Not even the artists are on your bullying side. Conservatives did a move and now y’all are attacking the one guy that didn’t do shit. How is he more hated than Kraft??
“How is refraining from political statements = taking sides”
It doesn’t have to be taking sides. It is just not a good behaviour.
Imagine someone is walking in the street and another person is killing a child. Is it taking sides to walk by and not even call the police? Maybe not, but it sure as hell is a horrible behaviour. Imagine now this person who does nothing is actually a prominent kid books’ author. That is Ed in a nutshell.
He’s an artist. I think you really need to understand what that means. Some inspire with action, some with protests, others with riots, someone else by offing some health insurance CEO, and then there are some who inspire people with songs. He’s not the type to attack the killer, but he’s the type to inspire 10 other people to fight back. What is so hard to understand about this?
Answer me this - Did Ed bring attention to Palestine by organizing this tour, accepting Macklemore, allowing him to do his thing, and then getting into drama?
You cannot tell me what happened hurt Palestine. It was straight up one of the more successful events that brought attention to Palestine.
No, Macklemore is an artist. Sheeran’s behavior has downgraded himself to professional clown.
Do you think this was intentional? I don’t think Sheeran is that stupid, or that smart.
Maybe, but to me that just shows how all of the other Palestine advocacy has been having an effect. This is a result of years of (largely anonymous) tireless struggle for justice, not a random situation that “just happened” to break in favor of Palestine.
If there is anyone to thank for the publicity Gaza had gained through this, it is Macklemore who has taken a stance which is way more risky for him than is for Ed. He is just a neutral passanger in this drama.
I am sure by just singing about peace Ed has done more than me in promoting peace then I have ever done with continously disseminating facts about what is going on in Gaza in online platforms or participating in demonstrations. But proportionally to our sphere of influence, what he has done is minute compared to mine. I am using most likely the totality of my sphere of influence where he is using literally none to hold state of Israel accountable for the genocide.
For me, if I hold the wrong sign in those demonstrations, my life could be really seriously impacted, I might even lose my job. But is that the most I could do? Absolutely not, I could be in a flotilla but I am not brave (and probably not well connected) enough to do that. But I am definitely doing things that push me and move me out of my comfort zone. Ed? He stands to lose some money and maybe Israeli fans oblivious to atrocities committed by their home goverments. And all he does is make a declaration that looks more like playing both sides.
Remind me, Macklemore joined what tour? Are you just going to ignore the fact that all of this happened because Ed organized a tour with people vocal about Palestine?
I mean it is not so far from saying if Robert Kraft hadn’t built/sponsored stadiums than this tour wouldn’t be and Macklemore wouldn’t be able to voice his opinion. Not really, Macklemore would voice his opinion one way or another. That is the difference between people who are not afraid to voice their opinions, they do not need per chance drama to contribute. And we don’t know if Ed organized this tour thinking Macklemore would voice his opinions in such a way and if he knew would he try to convince him not to or not. Again the difference between people who voice their opinions and those who don’t, we can only speculate.
Again, claiming to not take a side when we can all see with our eyes that genocide is taking place, is in fact taking a side.
Ignoring something IS a stance, I hate to be the one to apparently burst this bubble for you, but you can’t just opt out of life and claim things don’t matter to you.
You’re giving me the “I don’t do politics and that’s fine” argument.
Politicians literally dictate our entire lives and silence in the face of political injustice isn’t JUST a stance, it’s downright cowardice.
Also duh fuck Robert Kraft stop the crap man, two people can in fact work together to be pieces of shit.
It’s like with Russians and zionists where “if you’re not with us, you’re against us”.
“things don’t matter to you” does not equal apolitism or nonpartisanship. Artists who refrain from politics or speaking on geopolitical matters were historically regarded as more respectful. Each time I saw one doing it, wave of people commented “maybe celebrities should not do political speeches”, but I guess that’s false if it’s someone you agree with, and true if it’s someone you disagree with, just like with censorship on opposite side.
So you’re just saying what you heard other people say, then? Why not think for yourself?
I’ve never been critical of celebrities expressing political opinions. Lots of people never have been. Lots of people always thought that everyone has a right to express political opinions. It sounds like you’re making up a hypocritical person and then castigating them, rather than actually reading what people are saying to you.
I’m sure you expected to do spy shit when you joined the CIA, instead you’re here, claiming that Lemmy made you a centrist.
…what? Spy shit? CIA? Yeah, many of you are still crazy.
So, you’re not a CIA shill? You’re really trying to pin your political views on us? I’ll male it even easier for you: once the revolution happens you’ll end up in a laogai-style camp.
…what the fuck are you talking about Jesse.
Also, I’m from EU
EDIT: I’m actually curious - what political opinion? The fact that both far sides are nuts (like you’re successfully showcasing)? Would not CIA dislike me for shitting on far right? What political opinion would CIA hold? Pretty sure they are not independent and does what your government tells them to do.
It’s true that he was in a corner and there was no easy way out, and I’m sure Macklemore never wanted to put him in that position. He still made the wrong choice though.
He could have dug his heels in and defied Kraft, maybe cancel the tour, whatever it takes. If it cost him 70 million, he can afford that, but given the unreasonable basis of Kraft’s demands, I expect there’s a legal case to be fought there. He would have had a lot of support, and it would have been a public disgrace for Kraft. Sometimes you just need to grow a spine and do what’s right. Money isn’t everything.
I do feel some sympathy for Ed Sheeran. He just wanted to do his thing and not be in the political spotlight. And when it comes to punishing people for complying with injustice, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. But I am glad of the conversation it has sparked. When the time comes to not comply, we need to recognize that moment, and we also need to recognize what it means to say “I don’t do politics”.