No More Jordan Rules

Sep 20

A number of events in the media this week stand in stark contrast to an earlier era of my life.

The first involved the musician Ed Sheeran, whose Loop Tour faced major disruption this week. The rapper Macklemore was originally scheduled to be a supporting act on this tour, but his views on the Israel/Palestine conflict drew scrutiny. The owners of some of the venues scheduled to host the tour insisted that Macklemore be dropped from the lineup. Ultimately Macklemore was dropped, and many other artists left the tour in support of him and in resistance to the chilling effect on free speech that was created. The tour is still on, but Ed has egg on his face for trying to remain apolitical.

Then I learned that NHL star Alex Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for Vladmir Putin’s United Russia Party that aired in Russia earlier this month. When questioned about this during the Capitals’ recent media day, Ovechkin said “I’d say I’m Russian, and I support my country,” and denied that the ad was pro-war, stating “I want peace and love for everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, American, Russian or Ukrainian.” He went on to say that it was his intention to live in Russia with his family once his NHL career concludes.

These examples are notably different from the 1980s, when Michael Jordan was at the peak of his fame. During that time, many people tried to draw Jordan into supporting political issues and candidates, and he consistently refused. The quote attributed to him about this was “Republicans buy sneakers too.”

I’m sure that Ed Sheeran never thought that politics would intrude so significantly into his pursuit of art and performance. I’m equally certain that, no matter what his personal views might be, if Alex Ovechkin expects to live in Russia in the future, he is obligated to support Putin now. The Jordan Rule, where high-profile figures can sit neutrally on the sidelines so as to maximize the audience for their products and services, seems to no longer apply.

Why is this? I think it is because the leaders of societies around the globe are acting well outside of the norms we have come to expect over these past two or three decades. (Perhaps also outside the boundaries of international law.) Russia, Israel and the United States have all decided that kinetic warfare is warranted, and have been pursuing it with vigor. In the case of the U.S., militaristic violence has emerged within its own borders, with ICE agents assaulting and killing U.S. citizens under the Trump administration.

When our elected leaders handle their roles responsibly and with consistency, it is easy for us to take that consistency for granted. The road has gotten bumpy these last few years, so now we all (not just the high-profile among us) need to pay attention, assess their performance and vote accordingly. (Voting is an option that still matters here in America, if not elsewhere.)

The cherry on top of this week’s theme landed when I listened to Amy Poehler’s interview of Robert De Niro on her podcast Good Hang. In it, she thanks De Niro for his willingness to be vocal in his criticism of Donald Trump. This brings him to tears. Older cultural giants like De Niro and Bruce Springsteen stepping forward and calling out the craziness that is so obvious to most of us is noteworthy, and worth appreciating.

We live in interesting times - so interesting that it is becoming harder and harder to pretend they are normal.

Sunday Supper

I made these Marry Me Meatballs yesterday, and they are very good.

Crispy Chicken Thighs w/ Cucumber Yogurt

Sheet Pan Sausages and Brussels Sprouts w/ Honey Mustard

Bang Bang Salmon Bowls w/ Pineapple Slaw

Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Bars

Sunday Music

Billy Strings on Austin City Limits

The Heartbreakers Reunion Concert (featuring Chris Stapleton)

Miroslav Tadić & Yvette Holzwarth – Live Guitar & Violin Concert

Madison Cunningham Live at Tumbleroot