Two things never to talk about are politics and religion, they say. Until recently, most musicians and actors did exactly that. There were a few exceptions in the 80s like U2 and Phil Collins, but it was toned down to only issues with the odd innuendo. It seems everyone knew better than to expose their political views directly and in most cases, no one knew anything about a musician or actor’s political views. For that mater, corporations did the same and remained neutral.
There are at least 29 music artists of late who have gone far beyond voicing an opinion, though. Actors and other well knowns have jumped on the same band wagon of airing truly dark ideas. Many of these expressed views go against the plethora of so called hate laws, but I have yet to see any action. Examples like Green Day and Perl Jam who thought it wise to show images of decapitated and rotting corpses of politicians they dislike come to mind. Madonna commented she has thought about blowing him (Trump) up. Big Sean rapped “And I might just kill ISIS with the same icepick that I murder Donald Trump in the same night with.” Snoop Dogg paints POTUS as a clown and orchestrates his death. If hate is defined as “To feel strong dislike for or hostility towards”, then these views certainly qualify.
Others such as Larry Wilmore joked about literally denying him oxygen while Rober De Niro stated he wanted to punch Trump in the face. Rosie O’Donnell said she would push him off a cliff and Mickey Rourke wanted 30 seconds of violence ia room with him. Worse was George Lopez’s cartoon image of former Mexican president Vincente Fox holding the decapitated head of Donald Trump aloft and Kathy Griffin’s photos of her holding a fake bloody, decapitated Trump head similar to what Marilyn Manson had done. Even Johny Depp said “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?”
These aren’t mild commentaries but rather gruesome depictions of murder or actions which would result in the same. Inciting hatred is unjustifiable and unbecoming of people in these positions. It is one thing to express views and another to outright call for beheading. Depicting or advocating for the killing of someone is deplorable and morally bankrupt but says a lot about the character of those doing so. They obviously lack ability to articulate ideas or use any talent they have to raise awareness of issues they are so passionate about – but perhaps it is because they don’t have any.
Some very popular artists of the past were quite political in their music yet never came across with hatred, offensiveness, or violence. In fact, they raised issues with such grace and subtly never pushing any particular political party. The questions they raised, however, did invoke thought and often promoted a simple answer to important issues we all experience. That is what made it so universal and allowed their music or acting to remain enjoyable. Shamefully, the art of diplomacy and discourse has passed in favor of promoting hatred and violence.