Jack Black announced on Instagram that he’s cancelled the rest of the Tenacious D world tour and placed future projects on hiatus.
This happened after his bandmate Kyle Gass sparked controversy by commenting on the recent Donald Trump assassination attempt.
At their recent Sydney show, Kyle Gass was given a birthday cake and asked to make a wish for his 64th birthday, to which he said “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
In his later statement, Black said he was “blindsided” by his bandmate’s comment and condemned any calls for political violence.
That’s a fair take. I’ve been very frustrated with the respectability politics this week and it might be a bit unfair to him, as he isn’t a political figure, but an entertainer who didn’t initially choose to say anything. I can’t say I’d throw my boy under the bus like that, but I’m not him.
I don’t take calls against political violence as throwing anyone under the bus. He said he was “blindsided”, which I take to mean he didn’t expect him to say what he said. He also:
- did not agree with more violence (a good take when it comes to democracy)
- recognized Kyle put the whole crew at risk if the tour continued - as this would for sure make it to front page of every right wing hate filled cesspool
I think Kyle said it as more of a joke than serious, but when you don’t know who is in the cult and who isn’t when your looking out at a sea of people at a concert it sounds like Jack made the right call. Getting on a soapbox and “backing” Kyle would would just further put them and their crew in danger.
At what point do we decide danger is required for freedom? Before the freedom is gone???
Well, to be fair, I think that is up to each person to perform their own risk assessment. Some people have no fear, a death wish, or just willing to “die for the cause”. I don’t think we should be shitting on performers because they feel responsible for all of the many lives around them, and don’t want to make that choice for all of them. That is something the Right does/wants to do. But I think voting against fascism will prove to be the easiest way, and will have the greatest impact come November. Getting yourself or someone else killed by people that are unwell and armed will just be one less vote against fascism come November.
A lot farther down the line than this clown show situation at least. We don’t have roaming bands of conservatives disappearing people in the night, anything close to coordinated attacks, or even anything happening yet that remotely resembles targeted violence happening at rising rates.
The US has weathered worse storms than this. Germany recovered. At horrendous loss of life, but it did.
If you’re aware and worried, then now is the time to prepare. Save up money, take a gun safety class, and get one. Get hours in at the range shooting to build your aim and muscle memory. Make sure your emergency bag is well stocked, and you have discussed your emergency plan with your family. Be ready if/when the time comes, or get the hell out of dodge.
Don’t fucking rush its arrival. Don’t get yourself put on a fucking list of early targets by saying dumb shit online.
Don’t be the kind of person yelling into the void for someone else to kick off the bloodshed while you sit around and panic spiral. Prepare motherfucker, and hope you never need to use it.
