Musicians and celebrities on politics...
Upfront: This is NOT a discussion about politics. It is a discussion about the discussion of politics.
I think things are as politically charged these days as they have been in years. I am open to political opinions for my peers and I actually am open minded enough to learn some things from people I tend to disagree with. Sometimes, I may take a position on something for a simple lack of details.
For example, I once walked up on some guys discussing neutering cats in NYC. I have never given thought to that as a solution to control the cat population (I am not a cat person, and admittedly there are MANY topics that I don't sit around pondering) and so I interjected the euthanizing seemed more economical and immediate.
What I didn't take into account was that male cats are territorial and having neutered male cats in many/most areas would stop reproduction in those areas. I conceded that I didn't think about all of that, and I wasn't embarrassed that being a South Georgia boy, I have not mulled the reproductive dynamics of large city cat populations.
But, when it comes to celebrities and musicians (I get the in the context musicians fall into the celebrity category, but since we are musicians, I think it's obvious why I word this accordingly), those are not my peers and I don't typically think they represent me. I would rather not know someone's political affiliation whatsoever that to hear them not only use their status to promote a platform, but in some cases vilify those with differing opinions.
I like the stance Elvis Presley took when asked about war protesters. He kept his personal views to himself and referred to himself as "just an entertainer". Then when asked if he felt that all entertainers should keep their opinions to themselves, he said something akin to "No, I am not even going to say that." He just flat wasn't going to push it one way or the other. Mad respect for that!