You guys remember Jason Mraz? I barely do, but the dude said some smart stuff on the red carpet last week at the Grammys. The singer spoke with PopEater on the red carpet and told them that he was wearing a pin to show his support gay marriage. He explained:
“I’m in the fight for marriage equality. That’s why I’m wearing this pin tonight. I’ve just been doing a couple of different activities and events speaking out as a straight man about civil rights.”
And then he started calling out musicians who he thinks could be showing some more support (or any at all):
“The more straight people, the better, so big names that cause a stir in the media, like Kanye West and John Mayer. [Mayer’s] recently been very transparent in what he’s been saying or tweeting and I would love to see some more empowering transparency rather than material or self-loathing. Same as with Kanye — I feel like he’s such a huge presence that if he really promotes it and says, ‘Listen, you need to do this,’ more people would rally for the cause. The more straight heavy-hitters [that] speak up could really benefit the cause.”
While I’m not sure he was trying to put down John and Kanye, he makes a very good point about both of them: Nothing they say is of a ton of value. Sure, sure. I’m interested in John Mayer’s insights to Tiger’s cheating because he’s funny and realistically, I’d listen to him talk about nearly anything… but why can’t he use that smart mouth and brain to promote some awareness? I bet if John spent one interview talking about something more worthwhile than his junk and Kanye spent one award show interrupting about one cause other than Beyonce, they’d probably help turn their public images around. You know, if striving for equal rights wasn’t enough incentive.
As always I totally agree with Jason.
Also his suit for the Grammys was an “Eco Tux” which is pretty awesome. Everything he wore was made with recycled material.
jason mraz is a fucking legend!
i ALWAYS listen and respect his opinion..
I have never come to this site before, and I think it’s sorta cool. Good Job! That said, maybe Kanye, John Mayer or other artists don’t speak out about gay marriage because they don’t believe in it or they don’t care. It makes a pretty big generalization to think just cause they are artists they are liberal enough to want gay marriage. It is possible they could just think it’s wrong.
Why would someone think it’s wrong?
Are you actually unaware of all the different arguments people make to try and convince us that gay marriage is wrong? Were you actually unaware that some people believe that? Mentioning them doesn’t mean you believe in them.
I am aware of the different arguments that people make against gay marriage, but they’re so airy, shallow and hold no water whatsoever that they can’t actually be called arguments. They’re just discrimination deceitfully cloaked as “opinion” when in reality treating someone like a worthless human being who doesn’t deserve the same rights as everyone else is just hatred, superior-ism and evilness in it’s purest form. So again I ask, how could someone think its wrong unless they think that they deserve to treat a part of the human population like subpar, unentitled-to-basic-rights human beings?
Reading the title I thought it was going to be something big and nasty, but this was actually nice to read from Mraz. While I don’t think calling certain people out is productive, as it will only make the people mentioned feel guilty or defensive most of the time, I think Jason was genuinely trying to get marriage equality support and his comment was great. He’s right on in his assessment and sounds like a pretty good guy. Not to mention his songs are soothing and catchy.
Am I the only one that noticed that his face looks a little unevenly self-tanned?
No, I totally thought that he was wearing very poorly applied makeup. Also, the facial scruff just isn’t working for him.
He surfs. That’s why he’s extremely tan.
Ha, no. That is bronzer my friend.
Thanks Jason for your stand on the issue, but everyone should speak for themselves. John Mayer is very interesting but I don’t think he’s going to sway the issue no matter what he says. The deep religious convictions, or shall I say fever, which grips this country is not likely to wane should a good looking singer sneer. All either of you can do is create beauty in song to lift the mind and spirit. The younger generation is amazingly with it on the gay issue, but they are not the problem. Just give your gift. That’s why you came.
Outstanding weblog, thanks for writing this report
Thanks for providing valuable information on the topic. Keep posting
Thanks for this great post.
I love your blog too much. Keep working on it.
Hey can I quote some of the content found in this post if I reference you with a link back to your site?
Hey! Where is your rss link? I woul like to subscribe.
I really enjoyed this post!