Last night, many musicians at the Grammys took the opportunity to speak out against ICE. Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and more used their acceptance speeches to bring attention to the matter, and dozens of celebrities wore “ICE OUT” pins. Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon donned one along with a whistle, which he explained on the red carpet was “there to represent all the observers in Minneapolis,” regarding the ongoing protests following the shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Today, Megyn Kelly mocked Vernon on her SiriusXM show The Megyn Kelly Show, and Vernon responded via a newly launched Substack.
Here’s what Vernon said about the whistle at the Grammys:
The whistle is there to represent all the observers in Minneapolis. They are out there on the street corner, thirty below, and they are warning their neighbors of danger. And I think music is a beautiful thing. We make it with soft hands, though. I think the real work of humanity and empathy are those people that see that and they don’t stay at home. They get out on the street and they are taking care of each other and nothing could inspire me more.
In a YouTube clip called “Ridiculous Musician Bon Iver Actually Wears WHISTLE to the Grammys to Honor the Anti-ICE Protesters,” the political commentator says while laughing, “We got this guy Bon with his little whistle on his lapel.” (It seems she doesn’t know how to pronounce Iver.) She asks for conservative radio host Jesse Kelly’s thoughts, and he goes on a rant about how it’s ironic because celebrities at the Grammys walk around the world (and specifically into Red Lobster) with security and are safe whereas average Americans are scared of getting murdered by immigrants. Normal! Totally not deranged fearmongering. Anyway, here’s how Vernon responded on Substack:
Not to re-join social media and immediately start yelling into the internet but….
feel quite compelled to respond here
First of all… thank you for calling me Ridiculous musician. Dope compliment.
Second of all…I disagree with Megyn Kelly’s politics pretty deeply, but she has done some inspiring things in the course of her career.
Third. Have been to one Red Lobster, in Eau Claire, 27 years ago. Didn’t have security then, and have never hired personal security guards, because I dont need them. But thanks for thinking I’m that famous!
Fourth the man seems to think there are only criminals bred outside of the United States. Honestly, thought provoking.
Fifthly, shame on the NFL – like he said!
Sixth – I do wonder sometimes the point of saying liberal things in a room full of registered Democrats, the whole echo chamber thing… but I guess these two are proving that people who hate POC are hiding in blue areas everywhere.
Lastly, I like substack, cause atleast for now I can encourage my friends and people on here not to attack anyone, or say mean things back to these people, cause I dont think it helps. But responding feels good.
-Bon
On Friday (Jan. 30), Vernon released a benefit track called “Naeem (Can’t You Hear Crying)” with all proceeds going to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. It’s a live version of the track “Naeem” (from Bon Iver’s 2019 LP i,i) named after album contributor Naeem Juwan fka Spank Rock. At the Grammys, Vernon was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance, but like Hayley Williams lost both awards to first-time winners the Cure.
Justin Vernon had just launched his Substack over the weekend. “Mostly here to follow some of my favorite people,” he wrote in his first post. “May write some reviews of movies. May share things im proud of. Feels like twitter, in the beginning.” He added the hashtag #Feelinghopeforfirsttimein10years. Vernon is the latest of many musicians popping up on the platform, including fellow Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat stars Charli XCX and Troye Sivan.