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Original poster

Aibu to wish more artists adopted Dolly Parton’s philosophy?

69 replies

Chocolatelabsarebest · 19/09/2026 15:00

Re the Ed Sheeran/ Macklemore issue- AIBU to wish more musicians and performers would have the same attitude as Dolly Parton who said,” … keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business. I’m not in politics, I’m an entertainer.”
Yet she was universally loved and admired- and ALSO made the world a better place through her philanthropy- by NOT speaking politically she actually communicated her philosophy through her actions not her words. She did this by not alienating people!

OP posts:
tilypu · 20/09/2026 07:58

Gloriia · 19/09/2026 22:50

'If the promoter (and Ed Sheeran, because nobody really believes he didn't have any say in the decision) didn't want political statements about Palestine to feature, they really picked the wrong act'

Exactly. Now rectified. People don't want that crap when they buy sheeran tickets.

I do wonder why Ed Sheeran chose 'crap' to support him on the tour?

Are you suggesting he has poor taste in music? Or that he's scared of sharing a stage with good acts?

You'd think he'd choose someone good - he would have plenty of options given how well he has done for himself.

ChristOnAPennyfarthing · 20/09/2026 08:01

tilypu · 19/09/2026 15:08

YABVVU

There have always been musicians that used their music and platform for political reasons. Even the Beatles had some political songs.

There's no reason to stop now. In fact I'd anything, we need more of it!

Even the Beatles?! They were extremely politically vocal! John Lennon was wanted by the FBI and banned from America, haha.

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:11

'You'd think he'd choose someone good'

I doubt he is personally responsible for organising his tours. He probably has a team who comes up with options for support acts. Maybe from now on he'll say make sure it's no one who will shout offensive crap so a lesson learnt.

BeardySchnauzer · 20/09/2026 08:16

He said Free Palestine and showed images of Gaza. I’m not sure that is offensive tbh. If he’d done the same for Sudan it wouldn’t have even made the news.

i think this whole thing highlights how polarising the debate is and what a mess our world is in right now

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 20/09/2026 08:23

BeardySchnauzer · 20/09/2026 08:16

He said Free Palestine and showed images of Gaza. I’m not sure that is offensive tbh. If he’d done the same for Sudan it wouldn’t have even made the news.

i think this whole thing highlights how polarising the debate is and what a mess our world is in right now

Did he not previously have to apologise for an anti semetic “costume”…

Aibu to wish more artists adopted Dolly Parton’s philosophy?
Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:25

BeardySchnauzer · 20/09/2026 08:16

He said Free Palestine and showed images of Gaza. I’m not sure that is offensive tbh. If he’d done the same for Sudan it wouldn’t have even made the news.

i think this whole thing highlights how polarising the debate is and what a mess our world is in right now

It is absolutely offensive, there are 2 sides fo the conflict and I'm sure there'd be outrage if sheeran's team booked an Israeli act who started showing images of the Oct 7th mass murder.

Mackletwat can do whatever he likes at his own shows. This was not his own show.

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:28

Macklemore should maybe go to a palestinian area to perform and see how long he lasts. They've no idea who they are cheering on these useful idiots.

tilypu · 20/09/2026 08:53

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:11

'You'd think he'd choose someone good'

I doubt he is personally responsible for organising his tours. He probably has a team who comes up with options for support acts. Maybe from now on he'll say make sure it's no one who will shout offensive crap so a lesson learnt.

Hahaha.

You know that he is (or was, at least) friends with Macklemore?

You honestly think someone that has the power to get such big audiences has no say in who he is touring with?

Don't believe him when he says he had no part in the decision. He's the act. He's the one with the power here.

tilypu · 20/09/2026 08:54

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:25

It is absolutely offensive, there are 2 sides fo the conflict and I'm sure there'd be outrage if sheeran's team booked an Israeli act who started showing images of the Oct 7th mass murder.

Mackletwat can do whatever he likes at his own shows. This was not his own show.

Show quote history

They booked an act that has two (that I know of) songs about the conflict in Palestine.

It's not hard to figure out that it's something he might just mention...

tilypu · 20/09/2026 08:58

ChristOnAPennyfarthing · 20/09/2026 08:01

Even the Beatles?! They were extremely politically vocal! John Lennon was wanted by the FBI and banned from America, haha.

Show quote history

That was a comment on how they were the biggest act in their generation and used their platform for political reasons, as well as on musicians being political not being anything new, rather than any form of surprise, if that's how you took it.

tilypu · 20/09/2026 08:59

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:28

Macklemore should maybe go to a palestinian area to perform and see how long he lasts. They've no idea who they are cheering on these useful idiots.

Ok.

So now people can only be vocal about a cause if they are personally known to the individuals affected?

Got it.

Starpeck · 20/09/2026 09:03

BeardySchnauzer · 20/09/2026 08:16

He said Free Palestine and showed images of Gaza. I’m not sure that is offensive tbh. If he’d done the same for Sudan it wouldn’t have even made the news.

i think this whole thing highlights how polarising the debate is and what a mess our world is in right now

Yet no one does say it for Sudan do they, why is that?

Music/art has often been political, difference is people used to accept people had different views and cancel culture (another thing to thank America for) wasnt as it is now. I can understand why people would choose not to actively support artists they disagree with, but this social media beat down guilting the weak into following suit is pathetic.8

KimWexlersPonyTail · 20/09/2026 09:03

I don't remember The Beatles being overly political except maybe John supporting the IRA at one point.

tilypu · 20/09/2026 09:10

KimWexlersPonyTail · 20/09/2026 09:03

I don't remember The Beatles being overly political except maybe John supporting the IRA at one point.

They weren't as political as, say, Bob Dylan. But Blackbird, Taxman, Revolution, all political comment. There are definitely more, but those are the ones that come to mind.

Starpeck · 20/09/2026 09:30

tilypu · 20/09/2026 09:10

They weren't as political as, say, Bob Dylan. But Blackbird, Taxman, Revolution, all political comment. There are definitely more, but those are the ones that come to mind.

Show quote history

Difference is people had their own minds back then- chose who to support, who to protest without being told by social media grifters what musicians should and shouldn't do (whilst ironically harping on about free speech).

Pepperlee · 22/09/2026 13:20

tilypu · 20/09/2026 08:59

Ok.

So now people can only be vocal about a cause if they are personally known to the individuals affected?

Got it.

Show quote history

They can be as vocal as they want. As long as they realise they're making no difference to anybody anywhere. Just howling at the moon.

nomas · 22/09/2026 13:40

ModernNV · 19/09/2026 15:45

But yet he performed at a Ukraine benefit concert so I guess he's political when he wants to be 🤔

Show quote history

Yes, funny that.

"Sheeran has been a longstanding supporter of Ukraine. Say what you want to about Ed, but he's always been a passionate advocate of causes that are allowed".

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1D2jW3ELPmU

Before you continue to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1D2jW3ELPmU

nomas · 22/09/2026 13:43

Gloriia · 20/09/2026 08:28

Macklemore should maybe go to a palestinian area to perform and see how long he lasts. They've no idea who they are cheering on these useful idiots.

Just as long an independent journalist lasts in Israel before being killed I guess.

GhostEed · 22/09/2026 13:51

Dolly Parton also came from an age/generation where you could say ‘I’m not getting involved’ and people respected that

Ed tried to stay impartial and was ripped to shreds.

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