“It’s incredibly dystopian that we’re dressed up and able to celebrate accolades when people are getting snatched up and shot in the face on the street,” SZA told Variety backstage at the Grammys. “It just feels bizarre, and I find so many of us don’t really know how to feel right now, besides rage and hopelessness — and I don’t feel like that’s the emotional card I want to subscribe to.”
SZA went on to say she believes “entropy can bring change,” and emphasized the “great possibility” that can emerge from moments of chaos. Her comments came after an evening filled with statements opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and defending immigrant communities. Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish were among the artists who directly called out the government agency’s actions while accepting awards.
“This is a time when we can dig deep as a community and really learn that, OK, it’s not time to count on anyone else but us and our neighbors,” SZA said. “To protect ourselves, to rally for each other, to be that morale booster, to disseminate mutual aid, to take care of each other. And I just feel like — yay, that’s an amazing opportunity. Boo that this is even happening.”
She continued: “It’s always ‘Fuck ICE,’ but I just don’t want everyone to fall into despair. Because when you lose morale, change becomes impossible. And that’s just not true. I will not be going quietly into the dying of the light. I encourage everyone to do the same.”
