Against Me!/Arcade Fire continue 'We Exist' debate

Against Me!
Contributed by alex101, Posted by

Following the criticism of Arcade Fire's "We Exist" music video made by Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!, Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler has reacted to the comments in an interview with The Advocate. Butler stated:

"Once something gets on the Internet, it works its way into people's lives in a way that I think is pretty powerful. For a gay kid in Jamaica to see the actor who played Spider-Man in that role is pretty damn powerful, in my opinion. … There was just so much thought and love that went into the video I don't personally see it as negative."

In response to this, Grace replied on Twitter.

This article is hella problematic. "Win says "he" and Wilson says "she" … the implication that a homeless Jamaican LGBT youth living in a sewer is going to feel empowered because a cis, straight white male actor in movies they can't afford to see stars in a music video they'll never watch? my main problem with the video isn't even casting it's stereotyping -- like why does Garfield cry about shaving their head to then put on a wig when they have gorgeous hair? why does Garfield go to the shittiest bar ever to drink domestic beer and dance with bigot rednecks? and the idea that the band playing Coachella is their Mecca of acceptance and validation. Phfff. As if. if the song was called anything else I wouldn't have even had a problem with it. it's called "We Exist" and there is literally no signs of that existence represented. should have been called "They Exist". lastly, I really genuinely am a fan of the band. The Suburbs is a perfect album."

However, following that, Grace seemed to have changed her mind. In a twitter posting, she later stated:

While the discussion between Grace and Arcade Fire may be over, it seems that with the comments across the Internet, there doesn't seem to be a massive consensus on this topic. Share your thoughts below.