Here's What Artists Are Saying About the Painful Brexit Decision

UK votes to leave

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Jun 23, 2016 at 9:37pm PDT

Selfish fear and hate won last night in the UK's monumental decision to exit the European Union. An intrepid majority of voters expected to die within the next 20 years took the future into their wringed, retirement-softened hands, undoubtedly changing the course of Western history for the worse. Now, the world watches what happens when public policy is piloted by a real-life Muppet with People Eyes, a thrilling omen for the Nov. 7 elections here in the God-blessed USA: global markets are skewered, David Cameron resigns in shame, and the pound plunges while gold gains at an all-time high.

Ever the bellwethers for this kind of upheaval, artists have taken to social media to voice their thoughts on the referendum. As you read their words below, meditate on a re-making world where opportunity and mobility, both social and physical, aren't at the whim of those who want it least.

Beau Willimon, the playwright and screenwriter behind Netflix’s House of Cards, took to Twitter to express his frustration and urge American voters to make a better decision in November:

Voting w/ irrational anger comes at a cost: Pound & markets dive. Xenophobia validated. Let's not do the same in Nov pic.twitter.com/FycOAPDbbd

— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) June 24, 2016

Dev Hynes, the London-born singer and songwriter behind Blood Orange, tweeted about the “heart breaking” decision

I think it's hard for non Brits to understand fully why this is so heart breaking and scary

— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) June 24, 2016

Singer and activist Billy Bragg spoke on the grim prospects for the future:

Worst of all outcomes: Very narrow victory. England votes out, Scotland in. Boris in debt to Farage. Rancour and division ahead.

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) June 24, 2016

British singer Lily Allen expressed her anger through humor:

What have Britain and Wayne Rooney got in common ? They've both been fucked by grannies…

— lily (@lilyallen) June 24, 2016

Irish singer/songwriter Sinead O’Connor celebrated Ireland’s newfound distance in a Facebook post:

London-born rapper Stormzy declared his intention to replace David Cameron. Twitter's into it.

How many retweets do I need to become prime minister

— #MERKY (@Stormzy1) June 24, 2016

J.K Rowling expressed her devastation:

I don't think I've ever wanted magic more. https://t.co/gVNQ0PYIMT

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016

Mark Haddon, the British author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, called out the racism and elitism behind the decision:

Here's an idea: we have a labour party that grows some spine and celebrates immigration instead of sitting on the fence to pander…

— mark haddon (@mark_haddon) June 24, 2016

… to a fictitious, monolithic white working class whose"justified" concerns cannot be changed, only appeased.

— mark haddon (@mark_haddon) June 24, 2016

British girl-band Little Mix posted a chart demonstrating the factor of age in the vote:

Awful news to wake up to. What have we done Britain? I hope in years to come I can say I was wrong. xjadex pic.twitter.com/32wfuWi9bz

— Little Mix (@LittleMix) June 24, 2016

Hamilton deity Lin-Manuel Miranda offered wise words:

The world changes.
The ground shifts.
We still make plans.
We still find gifts.
Gmorning.

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 24, 2016

British Comedian and actor James Corden full-on apologized:

I can't get my head around what's happening in Britain.I'm so sorry to the youth of Britain. I fear you've been let down today x

— James Corden (@JKCorden) June 24, 2016

And British indie rock band Bastille changed the lyrics to their hit song ‘Pompeii’ while performing at Glastonbury:

Bastille's new Pompeii lyrics - "The pound kept tumbling down on the weekend that we love" https://t.co/ozLFgolRtk pic.twitter.com/qDy2Lq65pe

— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) June 24, 2016

Let us know your thoughts on the Brexit on Twitter or in the comments below.

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