Ed Sheeran’s net worth is estimated to be a cool $400 million. Ethically and morally, he’s bankrupt.
The British alt-pop luminary is facing backlash after dropping Macklemore as an opener on his “Loop Tour” following Macklemore’s onstage advocacy for Palestinian justice. Owners of certain stadiums where Sheeran was set to perform, like Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft and others who opted to remain unnamed, presented him with an ultimatum: drop Macklemore from the tour or get dropped himself.
Perhaps out of fear his pockets would grow barren and shallow, Sheeran keeled over and kissed the ring.
Rather than root himself firmly in political, ethical opinionation, Sheeran opted to err on the side of surfeiting greed and apolitical apathy. Macklemore, however, doubled down. He released a statement gracefully addressing his removal from the tour, reaffirming his belief in Palestinian liberation and pledging to donate the $1 million he earned on the tour to Palestinian relief efforts.
Sheeran remained silent. That is, until he had to save face and say something. So, naturally, he opted for a bullet-pointed “laying-out of some facts” via an Instagram post. And yes, of course the comment section was disabled.
To save you the grief, Sheeran all-but-vomited-up a canned statement saying his concerts aren’t “political forums” and continuing on without Macklemore was a “very difficult” decision. Also present were the typical excuses of not being a “political person” and his pledge to never let down his fans. He made sure to absolve himself of any blame, writing “I am not complicit.” Ironically, when it comes to international warfare, silence is a dog whistle for complacency.
Sheeran’s statement was a gaunt, flimsy, whining stint with the ethical integrity of a loaded shotgun in a crib.
There was one line buried in Sheeran’s “fact-setting” Instagram babble that was especially alarming: “If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.”
But when have whispers and unscrupulous business ploys ever contributed to the resolution of international violence and tragedy?
Sheeran laid out the facts. I will, too.
What is happening in Gaza is a genocide — it has been deemed as such by most major humanitarian organizations. Since Oct. 7, 2023, there have been more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths from Israeli attacks and unhalting aggression. 20,000 of those deaths have been children. Palestine now contains the highest number of child amputees globally. Additionally, Israel has proposed and subsequently violated at least one ceasefire in the West Bank.
How could anyone not shout about that?
Celebrities operate within an echelon of elitism so extreme they are under a false pretense of political, humanitarian inapplicability. Perhaps, when your wallet is worth more than the entire GDP of a small country, you grow to believe that fence-sitting and silence are excusable.
That belief has a kill count.
Operating with a globally and politically ignorant mindset is the utter antithesis to artistry. Art is inherently political — it always has been. Thus, Sheeran is less an artist and more so an industry puppet smacking his guitar to hollow applause. He is performing in stadiums of up to more than 80,000 fans on each stop of his tour. Eighty-thousand. There is exuberant opportunity for him to speak out — not from a teleprompter, but from his heart — and use his robust platform to encourage sociopolitical change. To let the fans who care about him know that he cares about them, too.
But, Sheeran did not. Macklemore did. That simple fact has absolutely nothing to do with fame and everything to do with each performer’s ethos. It is a display of how much value they place on humanity.
Damage control is not activism. It is selfishness masked as heroism. When Macklemore proclaimed, “Free Palestine,” on that stage, he did so with the knowledge that it could tarnish his public image. Inversely, his actions have made him more commendable than the music monolith for whom he was opening.
Sheeran, on the other hand, is plummeting into career pitfalls that could signify a point of no return. Each of his opening acts, as well as members of his band, dropped out of the “Loop Tour” following Macklemore’s removal. That is solidarity, unlike Sheeran’s teleprompted, perfunctory speech.
This entire controversy just goes to show that the fans do care if artists speak up. Our global political climate is so intensely polarized that neutrality itself equates to taking a side. As consumers of art — as fans — we share the weight of that responsibility with the artists we support.
We must ask ourselves why we idolize those who shrink behind their silence.
Siena Ferraro is an Opinion Editor. She is a sophomore studying journalism. Do you agree artists should take clear stances on political issues? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
