Fiona Lali defends Macklemore | There are no “two sides” in GENOCIDE!

Duration: 8:48 1652 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The video transcript centers on the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's performance during Ed Sheeran's US tour, where he used the stage to call for a free Palestine and criticize what he termed genocide and apartheid. Following these remarks, several support acts withdrew from the tour due to pressure from promoters who wished to keep politics out of entertainment, leaving Sheeran without his backing artists. The host discusses the dilemma of separating art from political expression, noting that while some view this separation as necessary for enjoying music, others argue that ignoring global horrors makes such a stance unrealistic and out of touch with public sentiment. Fiona Lai, a political commentator featured in the discussion, strongly defends Macklemore's actions, describing his speech as amazing and urging more artists to follow his lead. She argues that attempting to isolate politics from music or sport is ludicrous, especially during a time when atrocities are occurring worldwide. According to her, great art has always moved people to address significant issues, and musicians like Bob Dylan and Ed Sheeran himself have historically used their platforms for political causes. She emphasizes that the public mood regarding Palestine has been powerful for years, and she believes the mainstream media and certain governments are currently out of touch with this reality while trying to adjust their rhetoric. A key point of contention in the conversation is the definition and recognition of genocide within the Israel-Palestine conflict. The host attempts to present a balanced view by acknowledging that while genocide is being investigated and seen as such by many, there are also claims of atrocities on the other side, suggesting that horrors exist on both fronts. However, Fiona Lai firmly rejects this equivalence, stating clearly that there is no equality between the two sides and that a genocide is indeed taking place. She criticizes the host for trying to facilitate a balanced conversation on an issue where she believes one side is being systematically oppressed, arguing that acknowledging suffering on both sides does not negate the reality of the ongoing genocide. The discussion concludes with a sharp disagreement on whether it is possible or desirable to keep politics out of cultural spheres like music and sports. Fiona Lai asserts that politicians have failed to express the real mood of millions of people for years, whereas artists have been vocal about these issues. She suggests that the withdrawal of support acts was not merely posturing but a reflection of the genuine societal sentiment that has been ignored by mainstream institutions. Ultimately, she maintains that silence in the face of oppression is unacceptable and that artists must continue to speak up, regardless of the pressure to remain neutral or silent on political matters.

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I think what Mackammore has done is amazing. >> I'm sorry, Fiona. I have a responsibility here. It is seen as genocide in the eyes of some. It's not confirmed genocide, although it is being investigated. >> It's the real mood and psyche that you are out of touch with. The horrors that are taking place all over the world are moving people in a powerful powerful way. >> Nick Ferrari [music] at breakfast 5 after 9 on Wednesday, September the 16th. It was the moment the music stock for Ed Sheeran. Well, at least the support acts all have act now for his US tour have quit. It emanates from comments made by Mimmore making pro Palestinian remarks on stage. I'll be asking how can you ever distinguish [music] entertainment in this big world of music from politics? It seems pretty tough, doesn't it? >> Nick Ferrari [music] at breakfast on LBC. >> Let's start at the very beginning. His music and in some instances is as good as you're ever going to get. Every day discovering [music] something brand new or I'm in love with your body. [music] Bad habits lead to late night sending alone conversations with a stranger I barely know. They say she's in the class 18 stuck in her [music] day dream thinking out loud. Maybe [music] we found love right where we are. >> What an extraordinary talent. Shape of View, Bad Habits, A Team, Thinking Out Loud. Lovely music, but as he hit the wrong note with some of his support acts. Here's McLemore using a performance supporting Ed Sheeran. This is at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. The artist calling for a free Palestine. One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart. Free Palestine to all of my Jewish brothers and sisters. Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America, living in fear over this terrorist organization, ICE. No chance you can sing a song, is there? That's what you're actually booked for, man. Real name Benjamin Haggetty. Comments drawing criticism from Jewish groups after some venues put pressure on the tour promoters to drop him from the tour. That subsequently happened. And now, as a result of that, others have pulled out, including Phineas is the brother of pop star Billy Isish, who said in a statement, "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed." Irish singer songwriter Aaron Row. Danish band Lucas Graham announcing their departure. Irish folk bandog, if I'm saying that correctly. They've dropped out, too. He's without any support acts. I put this in the first of the show to culture secretary le culture remind you culture secretary Lisa Nandy for her thoughts. >> I really feel for Shearan in all of this actually because you know he's got support acts who he wants to profile and platform. He's got promoters saying that they won't when politics is being introduced to the stadium. I think he's been left in a really difficult and impossible position. There is a long and very proud history of artists um commenting on m on politics. But I do also think for a lot of people life is pretty tough and so I do understand that for a lot of people they just want to leave politics aside for a bit and be able to um to enjoy the music. To Mr. Sheran himself who said in a statement he's spoken with venues at length all week to try and build a bridge but he says the promoters have pulled the plug. Mr. to saying he's appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them. And it doesn't mean I don't care. Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own personal way. So to the battle of keeping politics out of in this case entertainment, in culture and music, in other case of course we see it in sport. How realistic is it? Let's bring into the conversation Fiona Lai who's a political commentator and campaign's coordinator revolutionary communism. Do you think in some way and it would be a heck of a task that entertainment that sport that others politics should somehow be kept out of it? Good morning. >> Good morning. Absolutely not. I think what Mackmore has done is amazing and I think it's amazing that all the support acts have pulled from the tour and I hope more artists follow suit. I think this thing about separating politics from music, especially at a time when there's a genocide taking place, is just absolutely ludicrous. I mean, for Mackmore to stand up on that stage and use that moment to expose US imperialism. I love the fact that you included a big part of the speech where he talked about freeing Cuba as well. I mean, great art, great music moves people and the horrors that are taking place all over the world are moving people in a powerful powerful way. >> Horrors, of course, on both sides. One has to say Fiona together. >> Sorry, I think there's a delay on the line. Horrors on both sides. It's important we stress that, Fiona, if you can hear me. >> It's important that we stress that genocide is taking place. >> It's not okay. You've said that. Yes. It's not yet. It is not. I'm sorry, Fiona. I have the responsibility here. They are being investigated for genocide. Yes, it is seen as genocide in the eyes of some. It's not confirmed genocide although it is being investigated and there also claims of genocide on the other case. So the point I'm trying to make so that we can facilitate a balanced conversation is there have been horrors and atrocities on both sides. I'm sure you'd accept that. >> Yes. So you're doing what Ed Sheeran did in his statement. >> No, I wonder if you could never mind him. I wonder if you could address me. >> As if there's equality on both sides of this conflict. No, there is a genocide taking place. >> No, I I I I really would ask you now. I have asked you if we can broaden the conversation out more into trying to see if politics can be taken out of entertainment, music or sport. I would ask if if you don't wish to say that, I absolutely respect that and we'll move on. But I wonder if we can address that more broadly. >> You know, so I've said that you can't take politics and separate it out into isolated corners. >> What is achieved how it works? What is achieved by demos in sport or in >> is that the real mood that hundreds of thousands of people have had I would say millions for the last 3 years over Palestine is being expressed and I think what's happening right now is and no politician has expressed that no one has you've only had musicians people like kneecap people like Bob Dylan >> well hang on hang on Ed Mill [laughter] but Ed Miller Band I'm sorry Ed Miller Band would challenge you there Fiona he took action in the British House of Commons last week or the week before specifically to that cause, he would say. >> Yes. Yes. This is the this is the point. Right now, after years of us saying a genocide is taking place and saying that ethnic cleansing is taking place and the Labor government has been giving weapons to Israel. Now, the Labor government has changed its rhetoric because they're waking up to the fact that public opinion has been very, very clear for a long time and the mainstream media has been completely out of touch. Lisa Andy that quote of her saying, "Oh, I feel really sorry for Ed Sheeran." That's not how people feel. People are >> disgusting. How do you know how respectfully Fiona you must let me How do you know how everyone feels towards Ed Sheeran? >> I I don't you see what I would say Fiona is a lot Fiona a lot of people support where you are but a lot of people will support where Mr. Sharon is. I I wouldn't presume to say everyone [clears throat] supports Ed Sheeran or everyone loans because that's not the reality. Fiona, >> well, let's take the fact that all of these support acts have pulled out of the tour. They've done that knowing that they're going to have support in that process. But this is the point. >> So they're doing it for posturing, are they? >> No, because they know that that's >> You said they're doing it for supportiety. It's the real mood and society that you are out of touch with, as is most of mainstream media, as has been the Labor government for a long time. But now they're trying to change their rhetoric. >> I've really enjoyed our conversation. I look forward to speaking about other matters where we can get into different areas. But thank you. Fiona Lai is a political commentator and campaign coordinator at Revolutionary Communism.