Powerful Speeches From This Year’s Grammy’s

On Feb. 1, some of the most influential artists of the year came together for the 68th annual Grammy’s. Popular names like Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga all took home awards this season. This year, many artists have used their voices for what they believe in. By directly calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out, artists showed support through their onstage advocacy. Art has always been political, and many believe that now it is more important than ever to show support.

  Puerto Rican native Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most popular artists, won three Grammy’s, including album of the year for his album, DeBÍ TiRAR Más FOToS. In his acceptance speech, he spoke up about ICE: “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans…The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”

Billie Eilish, another gifted artist, took home her tenth Grammy for record of the year with her song “WILDFLOWER.” Billie Eilish has been an activist for various causes since her career started, such as climate issues, women’s rights issues, and rights for immigrants. “No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said in this year’s Grammy acceptance speech, alluding to the increasing ICE presence across the United States. Various other artists were also seen wearing “ICE OUT” pins this year, including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, and Jack Antonoff.

Many students at Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) look up to these artists, which is what makes their words so impactful. Each year, the Grammy’s welcome a wider variety of diverse artists, and with that a wider variety of different voices. Big celebrities encouraging others to speak up about social justice issues that matter to them, can also inspire students at SBHS to use their voice to advocate for what they believe is right. Many believe real change can be made when communities use their voice.

SBHS sophomore, Sofia Cervantes, remarked about the Grammy’s, “The artists are doing the right thing about speaking against ICE since they are using their platform to do so.” Artists with large popularity and fan bases remarks can speak volumes when it comes to activism; however, students’ voices can hold just as much power. Throughout the past year, there have been multiple student walkouts and peaceful protests for issues like ICE, climate change, and human rights in general in Santa Barbara. These protests garnered the attention of local politicians and the Santa Barbara community alike. Students have the power to speak up for what they believe, and this year, artists are helping them believe in that for themselves.