Marc Lamont Hill had a few things to say about Ed Sheeran’s Gaza speech… much like most of the internet.
Hill reacted to the singer’s emotional remarks on Just My Thoughts, criticizing Sheeran for continuing his Loop Tour without Macklemore.
“So frustrating to hear that statement,” Hill said after watching Sheeran address the crowd in Philadelphia. He said the moment “didn’t feel from the heart” and “didn’t feel sincere.”
Sheeran spoke about the Israel-Gaza war at his September 19 concert after Macklemore was removed from the U.S. tour following controversy over his pro-Palestinian comments. During his speech, Sheeran apologized for “mistakes,” condemned the October 7 Hamas attack as “horrific” and called what was happening in Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”
“He hasn’t even materially changed the conditions around him,” said Hill. “He can’t do nothing about Gaza tonight, but he could damn sure do something about Macklemore tonight.”
Hill stated that Sheeran could have refused to perform, telling viewers the singer could have taken an “it’s him or me” stance. He also rejected Sheeran’s statement that he never wanted to be an activist musician.
“No one’s asking you to be an activist,” Hill continued. “What we’re asking you to be is a decent human being.”
