Entertainers Take Aim at Fans to Make Political Point

According to The Arizona Republic, Hall & Oates is the latest musical act to cancel a show in the Phoenix area to protest Arizona's controversial law aimed at combating illegal immigration. The Lilith Fair was the first performance cancelled, though organizers are not confirming that the law, known as SB 1070, is the reason as far as I can tell. According to the New Times, an alternative weekly, Go-Gos singer Belinda Carlisle blamed the legislation on her Facebook page before deleting the posts.

Both acts have taken the easy way out - and possibly alienated their fans at the same time. Like the rumblings of boycotting Arizona businesses, these cancellations do nothing to send a strong message. A concert isn't going to give the state an economic battering. All the cancellations are doing is depriving people of the chance to see musical acts they enjoy. Regardless of what side of the immigration fence you fall on, that doesn't seem right. It's like boycotting Arizona Iced Tea for having the word "Arizona" in its name, even though it's based in New York and has nothing to do with the immigration law.

If Hall & Oats and the Go-Gos were really interested in sending a message, they missed an easy chance. They could've donated some of their proceeds from their shows to political candidates running against the law's proponents in the upcoming primary and general elections. They could've combined that with encouraging fans to do the same. That would help put newer, less-known candidates on a more level playing field to combat the incumbents. But it's easier to make a vapid, throwaway political statement that does nothing to truly cause any change or awareness. Meanwhile, they can pat themselves on the back and avoid a tough summertime gig in Arizona's heat (no shame in that, I guess). The affected fans might just remember that the next time one of these acts releases a new album.

Nobody can deny that illegal immigration is a problem for Arizona - and for the entire country. But I can understand why people think SB 1070 is unconstitutional, collides with existing federal laws and is nothing more than a political piece of "feel good" legislation. That means I can understand why people are compelled to protest. In these cases, though, I wonder if the musical acts are protesting because they genuinenly understand the law, or simply because they play for the "liberal" team and they're trying to score some points.

Since I'm not a fan of Hall & Oates or the Go-Gos, I really have no stake in seeing either of them. But I've never been in favor of entertainers turning their fan bases into collateral damage for the sake of making a political point. I'm also not a fan of U2-style pontificating. If you make a living as an entertainer, you owe it to your fans -your bread and butter- to put on a show. I respect every person's right to show their political opinions, but entertainers shouldn't disappoint their fans in the process. There are other ways to make it work. I also find it very interesting that no performers attacking one of the root causes of illegal immigration: businesses seeking and exploiting a source of cheap labor. But hey, that makes the issue too complex, doesn't it?

So listen, up, performers: If you want to protest, don't cancel your shows in Arizona. Donate a chunk of the money you make here to those who oppose SB 1070. Tell your fans to donate. Just don't leave them hanging out to dry.