David Byrne has shared a new playlist titled ‘The Beautiful Shitholes’ in response to President Trumps’s comments last month.
Reports recently claimed that Trump asked during a recent meeting: “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” He then reportedly added: “Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out.”
In the playlist’s description, Byrne writes:
“I assume I don’t have to explain where the shithole reference came from. Here’s a playlist that gives just the smallest sample of the depth and range of creativity that continues to pour out of the countries in Africa and the Caribbean. It is undeniable. Can music help us empathize with its makers?
“For me, Trump is not the issue. We know and have known for a long time that he is racist. That is a fact, borne out by plenty of evidence. It’s not news—we know what he is.
“What is truly disturbing is the Republicans who go along with this person. Their behavior makes them complicit and the same as he is…exactly the same, no difference. Remember that come voting time.
“The swells in Davos too—who are happy to get rich off Trump’s policies and are more than fine supporting a racist. None of them has risen to condemn his racism and to say that this man does not represent our values as human beings.
Got that off my chest, now maybe I can listen to some music.
Enjoy.
David Byrne”
You can listen to the full playlist over on Byrne’s website.
Byrne isn’t the only musician to take a stand against Trump’s comments. Last month, Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler took to Twitter to hit back at Trump, saying that the alleged remarks show the President’s “own racism and xenophobia”.
“Trumps comments about Haiti, reflect nothing on the amazing country, and only on his own racism and xenophobia,” Butler wrote. “Haiti is one of the most special and amazing places I’ve been on this earth, and we need more Haitian-Americans.” See his tweet beneath.
Arcade Fire have a strong connection with Haiti. Their 2013 album ‘Reflektor’ was influenced by Haitian rara music and Butler’s bandmate and wife, Régine Chassagne, is a co-founder of a foundation that funds schemes in Haiti.