In late August, Madonna performed in Bucharest, Romania, as part of her Sticky & Sweet tour. While on stage, the Queen of Pop took a short break from singing to discuss an issue she said she had become acquainted with, that of Gypsy discrimination. In return, audiences booed her. Now, Ethan Hawke is speaking in Madonna’s defense, as PopEater informs.

Ethan Hawke is a frequent guest in Romania, as his mother, Leslie Hawke, is involved in several charities here. The last time the actor visited the country was on the occasion of Halloween, when an annual charitable ball took place, having as the most important item on sale a pair of shoes Madonna once wore. Understandably, the topic of Gypsy discrimination did come up and, from what Hawke is telling reporters, he feels Madonna acted accordingly back in August.

“She transcended being a pop star. She drew international attention and shone the spotlight on a level of racism and the need for greater education.” Hawke said of Madonna’s attempt at speaking out against any type of discrimination, but specifically against the Gypsies. The actor also pointed out that what critics had to say against Madonna, namely that she should entertain since her job was that of an entertainer and not get into politics, was completely off the mark.

Both Madonna and himself were using their celebrity status to draw attention to an issue that would otherwise go unnoticed, Hawke stressed. In doing so, they are willingly becoming a part of the solution, and are no longer part of the problem. “I don’t have an agenda, Madonna doesn’t have an agenda. We aren’t politicians. I feel I can do something instead of being part of the problem.” the actor explained.

Leslie Hawke’s charity, which campaigns for education for Gypsy children, holds the Halloween ball yearly at a palace where dictator Nicolae Ceausescu once lived. This year, other items in the auction also included a necklace that once belonged to Vanessa Redgrave and the Christian Dior, Madonna-autographed shoes.