Stevie Wonder opened Tuesday night’s Hand in Hand live telethon with a rendition of “Lean on Me,” complete with a full choir behind his piano. The words he spoke before singing, however, sparked instant attention.
“Anyone who believes that there is no such thing as global warming must be blind… or unintelligent,” Wonder said during the hurricane relief fundraiser.
As if his piano cued the Twitterverse itself, all it took were a few opening notes for replies to start swarming in.
https://twitter.com/Dani_Knope/status/907756565113053184
Stevie Wonder opens this telethon saying, “Anyone who does not believe in climate change must be blind or unintelligent.” #HandInHand pic.twitter.com/ioPnxnXdfW
— Erika Norton (@ErikaNorton10) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/jailainhollon/status/907757204694077440
While many laughed, praised, and enjoyed Wonder’s remarks, some spoke out against him for making this emotional event into a political platform.
https://twitter.com/gdogrises/status/907757024397709312
https://twitter.com/_jimmacdonald/status/907756972451287040
Guess I am blind and unintelligent for not buying into Global Warming… Stevie Wonder starts #HandInHand Hand w/a political statement. #smh
— Sharon (@WooHooYoo) September 13, 2017
The event is filled with celebrities and musicians both near and far from Hurricane Harvey’s destruction. Beyoncé, a well-known Houston native, shared remarks soon after Wonder’s performance also commenting on the issue of climate change.
Regardless of your stance on the topic, Wonder’s self-effacing zinger won the night.
