Billy Joel Wears Yellow Star of David at New York Show Amid Rising Neo-Nazi Activity

[Sgent]

Wow... he usually stays out of politics.

http://people.com/music/billy-joel-wears-yellow-star-of-david-at-new-york-show-amid-rising-neo-nazi-activity/

Billy Joel made a strong statement against the growing neo-Nazi and white nationalism movement on Monday night, taking the stage at New York’s Madison Square Garden wearing a yellow Star of David.

The 68-year-old hitmaker, who was born to Jewish parents and describes himself as culturally Jewish, donned the patch on both the lapel and back of his suit blazer — a reference to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust.

It was a surprisingly political statement from Joel, who previously told Rolling Stone that he found being lectured about political views at a concert to be a turnoff.

“I try to stay out of politics. I am a private citizen and I have a right to believe in my own political point of view, but I try not to get up on a soapbox and tell people how to think,” he said in June.

[larwdem]

1. I try to stay out of politics

Until they come for you! This is part of the problem. you got to stand for something or yowl fall for anything. (john melincamp)

[Lucky Luciano]

4. Precisely. Sounds like a right winger who suddenly got uncomfortable. nt

[Danmel]

14. Not a Billy Joel fan-i live on Long Island

And it's all Billy Joel all the time here.
But he is a Democrat. He's not a right winger.

[Behind the Aegis]

15. Just another case of someone trying to shame a Jewish person.

When we don't say something...BAD! When we do say something...ulterior motive!

Damned if we do, damned if don't.

[Lucky Luciano]

16. I didn't know he was Jewish until this.

In fact, my mother is Jewish. I assumed right winger based on his "staying out of politics " stance which was usually in reference to democratic ideals being brought up.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Irrelevant.

You knew when you type your comment. Your heritage is also irrelevant.

[Lucky Luciano]

18. Whatevs. Nt

[flamingdem]

2. Excellent

That's a strong image.

[Honeycombe8]

3. Glad to hear this. All citizens need to stand up and be counted against Nazis. nt

[shenmue]

13. Yes

[sandensea]

5. Where would we be without Billy Joel - and so many other great Jews.

This world would probably be so much more backward, and a lot less interesting.

[Paka]

6. Might be a good movement to start.

Masses wearing yellow stars might bring it visually home to a few space cases.

[blue-wave]

7. There were symbols for a very many groups

Any one of us who identifies with any of these groups should wear the appropriate symbol. It would be a great act of defiance and resistance.

More about the concentration (killing) camp badges:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_concentration_camp_badge


And here:

http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/sub_image.cfm?image_id=3761

[Behind the Aegis]

10. I agree.

There are many who were victims of the Nazi death machine, and too many people don't know their stories or how they were identified. I learned more about it when I was in Hebrew school, and, since I wasn't out at the time, I paid close attention to the stories about gay men and read up on it, in doing so, I learned the "triangles" of other groups as well. Given this administration is bordering on some of the same bullshit of the Hitler regime, I think other people should also start wearing triangles as an act of resistance. My avatar is one of resistance, but also to demonstrate a double identity.

[blue-wave]

11. Yes, it would

help unify the resistance. Also, what a great learning opportunity for those who might ask about the badge.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

8. Wow. Powerful symbolism.

[Jack Bone]

9. Racism isn't political..

It's Immoral...big Differece

Bravo Mr. Joel!!

[TygrBright]

12. I hope he performed "We Didn't Start the Fire" too... n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Good for Billy Joel.