In response to the resurgence of antisemitism in the United States, John Mellencamp is urging action.
The 71-year-old Grammy winner gave a moving address at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, expressing his support for the Jewish people and introducing the event's honoree, attorney Allen Grubman.
The musician explained, "Allen is Jewish and I only bring it up because my relationship and involvement with innumerable Jewish people has profoundly improved my life.
I can't stress enough how crucial it is for artists to speak out, he continued. "Humans are what we are all. I could care less. There's a trap; complicity is quiet."
Finally, Mellencamp said: "Repeat after me: silence is complicity. In this way, I'm speaking up loudly, proudly, and in unison with Allen, his family, all of my Jewish friends, and all Jews everywhere as I stand here tonight. F—- antisemitism and f—- everyone who makes such remarks."
The "Jack & Diane" actor continued by referring to Grubman as "a true American" and his friend.
Mellencamp's speech coincides with current controversy surrounding NBA player Kyrie Irving and rapper Kanye West, as well as an increase in antisemitic occurrences in the Los Angeles region during the past month.
West expressed his desire to commit "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE" in a since-deleted tweet in October, and Irving came under fire for promoting the anti-Semitic film Hebrews to Negroes on his social media accounts.
Since then, brands including Gap, Adidas, and Balenciaga have severed their relationships with West, and Irving is presently facing a five-game suspension. In addition, he has six tasks to finish before rejoining the Brooklyn Nets, his squad.
A number of famous people have spoken out in support, including John Legend, Lizzo, Jack Antonoff, Howard Stern, Michael Rapaport, Khloé Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Amy Schumer. Some of them did so by copying Jessica Seinfeld's social media-based template.
I support my Jewish friends and the Jewish people, Seinfeld, 51, said alongside a graphic in his post, adding, "If you don't know what to say, simply say this in your feed."
