“I'm not feeling well.” I wasn't there

Macklemore clarified – and doubled down on – his “f— America” ​​comment in a new, lengthy statement on Instagram.

On Wednesday, the singer and rapper addressed the reaction to viral videos of him saying “f— America” ​​while performing on stage at the Palestine Will Live Forever benefit music event in Seattle over the weekend.

“My thoughts and feelings are not always expressed perfectly or politely,” his statement begins. “Sometimes I make a mistake and get caught up in the moment. Saturday night was one of those moments. I strive to always lead with love in an effort to bring people together and never create more division. The Palestine Will Live Forever Festival I The event, which took place in my hometown, was rooted in peace, love and solidarity. Unfortunately, the historic event that brought thousands of people together to raise awareness for the people of Palestine was overshadowed by two words: I wish I had been in better condition But the truth is that I am not well.

The “Thrift Shop” singer goes on to talk about how the past year “of watching a genocide unfold before our eyes has been unbearable on a spiritual, emotional and human level.”

“I was in complete disbelief at the way our government was behaving at this moment in history,” he continues. “I don't think I'm alone. I see dismembered children being pulled from the rubble in Gaza, murdered by US-made bombs. I see my own children in their lifeless bodies. I don’t think I’m alone.”

Macklemore continues to repeat the phrase “I don’t think I’m alone” as he describes how he has become “disillusioned and discouraged” as our government continues to clearly fund and support Israel’s ongoing violence against the Palestinian people.

Want movie news? Sign in Entertainment Weekly Free newsletter with the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews and more.

“My pain and emotions felt uncontrollable at times,” he says. “It's been simmering all day while I try to pretend I'm fine In America, we still send billions to Israel to commit internationally recognized war crimes… I feel crazy… Some days I don't know How to love something that hurts others so much.”

Macklemore added that he was “mobilized” by everyone who protested “on behalf of all the people murdered by Netanyahu's regime,” including “those in the Jewish community who showed courage and solidarity and marched in protests with placards.” “Not in our name” and “Never again means never again for all.” The singer also praises college students “who were willing to risk their degrees by attending college camps to demand a ceasefire.”

But he says that “some days the darkness outshines the light” and he gets “lost in what our world has become.”

“I wake up and see billions more dollars being donated to Israel, or another refugee camp being destroyed, or a father holding a limb of his martyred child, or another speech by a politician justifying Israel's right to be 'defending himself' while denying the Palestinians' right to exist and I say to myself… 'F— America.' I don't think I'm alone,” he wrote.

However, he doesn't want anyone to “misunderstand the word 'f—' with the word 'hate.' “It’s different to be angry than to be in denial,” he added. “My 'f—' – my anger – is not rooted in the distance [sic] for the place where I was born, but worried about how we can collectively allow this to continue. It is not directed at the people who make up our country, but at our government, which refuses to listen to us.”

Macklemore admits he's “slipped before the world before.”

“I’m sure I’ll do it again,” he continues. “But they will not silence my voice, and they will not close my heart. I lost publicity, I lost shows, I lost business relationships. I am still here and steadfast in my support for a free Palestine.”

Read his full statement below:

While Macklemore's declaration of “F—America” ​​was met with applause and cheers in the moment, there was an immediate backlash. On Tuesday, Neon City Festival in Las Vegas announced on Instagram that he would no longer be headlining due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Macklemore is also a minority owner of the NHL's Seattle Kraken and Seattle Sounders FC, and the two teams released a joint statement to KOMO News regarding the controversy: “We are aware of Macklemore's increasingly divisive comments and they do not reflect the values ​​of.” .” our respective ownership groups, leagues or organizations. We are currently reviewing our joint options on this matter.