The Anti-Defamation League said on Tuesday that it “accepted Macklemore at his word” that a costume the superstar rapper wore on stage last week was not meant as a hateful Jewish caricature.
Macklemore, who won four Grammys this year, appeared Friday at a Seattle event wearing a fake wig, beard and nose that prompted charges of antisemitism.
In response to outrage that grew over the weekend as pictures of the performance circulated online, Macklemore released a statement Monday claiming that the costume was spontaneously assembled, and innocent of sinister intent.
“We welcome Macklemore’s apology for wearing a costume that, regardless of his motives, reminded many people of an antisemitic caricature,” ADL director Abe Foxman said in a statement. “We take him at his word that he did not have any ill intent and unreservedly accept his apology.”
Not everyone was buying it. After Macklemore tweeted a summary of his explanation, the actor Seth Rogen, among others, expressed skepticism.
.@macklemore really?? Because if I told someone to put together an anti Semitic Jew costume, they'd have that exact shopping list.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) May 19, 2014
In a postscript to his apology statement, Macklemore said the episode had been a learning experience.
“Out of a negative can come a positive,” he wrote. “Through this situation I’ve got hip to some incredible groups like the ADL and I encourage people to check the great work they, and others like them, do.”
