Rapper Macklemore is a vocal supporter of Palestine and Gaza residents. During a recent concert at MetLife Stadium, he yelled "Free Palestine!" onstage, projected images of devastation in the area, and performed protest song "Hind's Hall."

Now, it seems that American venues are not willing to play ball with the Seattle artist, and he has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.

"After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates," according to Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Loop Tour. This news follows backlash from organizations like StopAntisemitism and others, such as pop star Pink.

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[–] 214 points 1 month ago (15 children)

Speaking up for Palestine isn't antisemitism.

Saying that Israel is a genocidal country isn't antisemitism either.

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  • [–] 63 points 1 month ago* (12 children)

    Given that the Palestinian people are Semitic people themselves, I would say that systematically destroying their lives, homes, and culture is more antisemitic than any combination of words that any person could ever string together.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 month ago (11 children)

    There are no "semitic people". It's a racist term coined by some German dude ages ago and it has no scientific value at all. Stop making antisemitism about Palestinians.

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  • [–] 14 points 1 month ago (3 children)

    This is true, although, I'm not sure what you mean by that last part.

    The term anti-Semitic itself is racist as there are no people of "Shem". The concept is a weird mashup of those native to the Levant and those who follow the Jewish religion or culture. Anti-Jewish would be a way better descriptor over antisemitic, but Zionists love the term antisemitic as it creates a false impression that their enthonational religious claims over the Levant are historically founded over the native Palestinian population.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    It's simply a term that's historically developed because some German assholes called themselves "Antisemiten". The term "racism" is equally flawed as it implies the existence of human races.

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  • From what I understand, that flaw can be lessened (not voided) by using sociology instead of eugenics/pseudobiology. So-called "races" as social constructs, or "perceived races" are less based on discrimination. This concepts can instead describe the existing discrimination. That does not nullify your point, by the way, it just dampens the flaw you pointed to.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 month ago (5 children)

    If there are no Semitic people, then there are no Palestinians.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago* (4 children)

    Ignorant comment. "Semitic people" is in the same intellectual genealogy as "Aryan people", the terms were proposed as opposites. There are semitic languages and the term "aryan languages" is not entirely discredited (it appears as "Indo-Aryan" and refers to a subfamily of Indo-European languages). But nothing about any of this has to do with the existence of the Palestinian people and nation which is a political fact regardless of biological or linguistic lineages.

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  • [–] -1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

    It all boils down to race talk eventually, no matter what intellectual gymnastics you perform. One label is as good as another in that game. Arabs learned well from Hilter's ideas after WW2. Whether you want to discuss the "people of Palestine" or "the Palestinian People", then Jews, Christians, Moslems, Turks, Babylonians (and their descendents..), Romans from the Italian peninsula, Greeks, Western Europeans from the middle ages.. all must be considered in the mix and none excluded for any reason. All have either lived or owned/possessed the land for centuries, across various eras in history.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

    That's a load of 19th century bullshit. The Palestinians are a People because they share a series of attributes (language, kinship, culture, common historical narratives and a shared political national project) and use those shared attributes to self identify as a People. That's it, none of the other crap.

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  • [–] -2 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    and use those shared attributes to self identify as a People.

    Go ahead, create your own delusional thought bubble and language that supports it.

    if the rest of the world doesn't see it your way then it still avails you nothing.

    consider the example of ISIL for recent insights on how this will end for those who engage in creating imaginary worlds for themselves.. inside of thought bubbles .

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

    StopAntisemitism criticised the rapper, saying "Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing... not to be ambushed by Macklemore's anti-Israel propaganda."

    The next night, Macklemore returned to the same stage and directly addressed his "Jewish brothers and sisters" in the audience.

    "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you,"

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq0m3pkmgg1ko

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  • [–] 220 points 1 month ago (21 children)
  • [–] 108 points 1 month ago (9 children)

    He always has been. Naturally, his one goofy song about thrifting is the one that went viral.

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  • [–] 40 points 1 month ago (3 children)

    Eh Same Love also blew up from that album which, while woke, is also pretty corny. The album also famously won the Grammy over Kendrick Lamar so I'd say his other songs got their fair share of fame.

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  • [–] 18 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    The Grammys being trash is nothing new and also not really Macklemore's fault

    On the other hand, I've got no argument at all that a lot of his music is corny af, but even when he was at his most cringe he was still trying to be a good dude at least

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  • [–] 8 points 1 month ago

    His one goofy song about thrifting was EXTREMELY well made to be fair. Funny lyrics, funny video, very distinctive beat. Having Wanz do the hook was a great choice, his voice is like a change in gears.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

    He is, but also a really corny dude to the point where he gives right wing pundits someone to point and laugh at. I know he is genuine and wants to put eyeballs on issues, however he sometimes came off performative about it which turns people off unfortunately.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Nah, fuck that. What you're calling corny is just sincerity. Leave that irony poisoned "caring about things is cringe" bullshit to the right wing chuds.

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  • [+] -10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

    I like some of his songs about Palestine, but this guy put out songs specifically targeting Biden/Harris saying he won't vote for them.

    This guy helped Trump win.

    Edit: from Hinds Hall: "The blood is on your hands Biden, we can see it all. And fuck no, I'm not voting for you in the fall."

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  • [–] 11 points 1 month ago (3 children)

    wow, he is a good guy after all and not just some blue maga freak, good for him.

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  • [+] -6 points 1 month ago* (2 children)

    Your right, it's good Trump won. Things are going so well.

    Edit: Both sides are the same, right everyone?

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  • [–] 11 points 1 month ago

    It's time you people stop relying on the excuse that any Biden criticism is the same as equating both sides. It's kinda pathetic and the same type of shit that will make people less likely to vote for the Democrats as it only serves as a way to suppress criticism.

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  • [–] 88 points 1 month ago (4 children)

    Talk about being on the wrong side of history, Ed and Pink.

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  • [–] 44 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)
  • [–] 16 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Well damn. I always loved Pink.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 month ago

    Me too. So weird. From the article:

    Pink faced backlash after reposting a statement from an advocacy group calling for an apology from Macklemore for advocating for Palestinians during his opening act for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey.

    Pink reposted the message from the group StopAntisemitism on her Instagram stories. The message started with the word "Awful," suggesting that Jewish fans had purchased their tickets to see Sheeran but instead experienced what it referred to as anti-Israel propaganda. According to the group, the Seattle rapper had accused Israel of falsely committing a genocide, and concertgoers were owed an apology and a refund. Pink did not comment and has not yet given a reason for posting the message.

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  • [–] 66 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    Thank GOD these Venues are going after ANTI SEMETISM by going after artists who Have songs LITERALLY PRAISING HITLER! say Bombing Children is WRONG!

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  • [–] 26 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Yeah, the fact that one of the venues refusing Macklemore just let Kanye West play two shows is straight-up hypocrisy.

    Only one of those guys has made public statements praising Hitler. (As far as I know, at least.)

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