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JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
The Schmooze

Macklemore Dresses Up as Stereotypical Jew

Really, Macklemore? A big Jewish nose? Subtle.

On Friday night, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed a secret show in their hometown of Seattle in honor of a new exhibit at the city’s EMP Museum. As Gawker points out, this would not have been news if it had not been for Macklemore singing “Thrift Shop” while dressed as the embodiment of a Nazi propaganda flyer about the dangers of the all powerful greedy Jew.

Media outlets like the Daily Dot and Buzzfeed were quick to criticize the rapper, calling his outfit “some kind of Jewish caricature, prosthetic schnozz included.”

Even Seth Rogen had something to say about it:

This isn’t the first time the rapper’s been involved in some Jewish shenanigans. Back in August, he blew a shofar in his announcement for the VMAs. (And in case you’re wondering, he’s not Jewish, despite what Wiki Answers says. He’s just got “hella good Jewish homies.”)

Once the story started making the rounds, Macklemore took to Twitter to defend (but not apologize for) his questionable choice of attire.

Oh, dear — that’s a relief. If only that image hadn’t been co-opted for hundreds of years of discrimination, pogroms and mass murder, you’d totally be in the clear.

Maybe something to consider next time you’re shopping in the Groucho Marx aisle.

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