By now, you’ve all likely heard of the Ed Sheeran-Macklemore controversy.
This post is not about that. Whether you agree with Sheeran’s decision to drop Macklemore from his tour or not, I am instead interested in exploring just how disconcerting it is for the Jewish community to watch popular, supposedly anti-Nazi celebrities enthusiastically rally behind a man who once performed a Nazi act on stage simply because he shouted “free Palestine.”
THE INCIDENT
On May 16, 2014, Macklemore wore a costume with a fake nose, beard, and wig to a surprise performance at the EMP Museum in Seattle. The costume very distinctly drew on the historical, antisemitic custom of “Jew-face.” While on stage, he appeared to give a Sieg Heil, or a Nazi salute.
In response to the condemnations from the Jewish community, Macklemore tweeted, “A fake witches nose, wig, and beard = random costume. Not my idea of a stereotype of anybody.”
It later came to light that the store where Macklemore purchased the fake nose had it labeled as a “Fagin” nose, a stereotypically Jewish character in Oliver Twist.
Macklemore later issued a non-apology apology, in which he claimed he had worn the costume to disappear into the crowd and that Jewish stereotypes had never crossed his mind, and that he was saddened people were offended by it (in other words: “Sorry if I offended you”). He then linked to the Anti-Defamation League’s website.
"There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood. I respect all cultures and all people. I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and...happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.
I acknowledge how the costume could, within a context of stereotyping, be ascribed to a Jewish caricature.
I am here to say that it was not absolutely not my intention, and unfortunately at the time I did not foresee the costume to be viewed in such regard. I'm saddened that this story, or any of my choices, would lead to any form of negativity."
Macklemore, 2014
The ADL accepted Macklemore’s apology. Today, Macklemore supporters are pointing to this apology – and to the fact that the ADL accepted it – as proof that Macklemore is not an antisemite.
But neither the ADL nor anybody else has a right to forgive Macklemore’s transgressions on behalf of the Jewish community. The ADL is not a ruling authority over Jews, nor has it been appointed as Jewish people’s collective voice. Furthermore, these excuses are coming from people who have spent the past three years demonizing the ADL as “Zionist propaganda.” So is the ADL credible, or is it not?
ORIGINS OF JEW-FACE
Jew-face is the practice of using anti-Jewish stereotypes, exaggerated stereotypically “Jewish” mannerisms, and costumes and prosthetics like fake noses to play Jewish characters. It originally emerged in the late 19th century as a way to mock Jewish immigrants to the United States.
Jew-face was popular in American vaudeville and variety shows, emerging as a practice parallel to Blackface (in case anybody needs a reminder that antisemitism and anti-Blackness have historically been deeply intertwined).
Early use of Jew-face relied on oversized putty noses, fake beards, tattered clothing, and overly exaggerated Yiddish accents.
By 1909, the Central Conference of American Rabbis denounced the trope, noting that they fueled antisemitic prejudices.
However, some Jews adopted the practice themselves in self-deprecating comedy routines.
"[Jew-face is ] the cause of greater prejudice against the Jews as a class than all other causes combined."
Prominent American Reform rabbi, 1909
IN NAZI GERMANY
In the 1930s, the Nazis exploited traditional German carnival parades, such as the Fasching or Rose Monday parades, to abuse Jews with antisemitic propaganda.
One of their most used tricks was the use of Jew-face, in which people on the carnival floats dressed as overly exaggerated, stereotypical, antisemitic Jewish caricatures, sporting oversized noses and Stars of David on their clothing.
IN CONTEMPORARY EUROPE
If you thought the end of the Third Reich put an end to the use of Jew-face in European festivals, think again.
- Jew-face has been a feature of the Aalst Carnival in Belgium, where, year after year, participants have worn fake hooked noses, ultra-Orthodox attire, and insect costumes paired with figures of Jews standing over gold bars.
- dressed as Nazi officers or as Jews in concentration camp uniforms. They also featured a gas chamber float and dancers dressed as dead or wounded Jewish victims
THE MESSAGE
Whether they realize it or not, and whether they care or not, those rallying behind Macklemore are going to have a very hard time convincing the Jewish community that their pro-Palestine activism comes from their support for Palestinian human rights rather than for their disdain for Jews when they’re willing to so easily overlook someone’s Nazi-esque behavior so long as that person shouts “free Palestine.”
But this isn’t anything new.
For three years, we’ve seen pro-Palestine activist after activist make excuses for blatant Jew haters and even white supremacists because said Jew haters and white supremacists identify as pro-Palestine...from Tucker Carlson to Candace Owens to David Duke.
To us, this sends a very clear message: that their antizionist ideology is more important than their so-called commitment to anti-racism or anti-Nazism. That their antizionist ideology comes before their purported values.
Ihab and I have drastically different views on the conflict, but on this...we agree.
And I’m supposed to believe being “pro-Palestine” is the unpopular, “brave” stance to take?