But he had possibly the classiest response ever.
Musician John Legend made waves earlier this week when he used his acceptance speech at the Oscars to highlight the need for greater advances in social justice.
John Shearer / AP
"We know that the voting rights act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today," Legend said accepting the award for Best Original Song for "Glory" from the movie Selma. "We know that right now the stuggle for freedom and justice is real — we live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song we want to tell you we are with you we see you we love you and march on."
It's a strong message, but one that was seemingly undercut by the news that Legend was preparing to play a concert in Bahrain. The country has launched numerous crackdowns against political dissent, stamping out protests violently.
Riot police chase students, unseen, outside a high school in Manama, Bahrain, in 2013
Hasan Jamali / AP
Protesters in Bahrain rose up in the "Arab Spring" protests of 2011, and were instantly labeled agitators. The government sent riot police in with tear gas and batons. Given the fact that parts of the opposition are Shia, the government declared the movement an Iranian plot and called in military assistance from Saudi Arabia. The opposition continues to protest sporadically and continues to be met with violence from the police.
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