My Weekend Crush

Part of what makes living through this historical moment feel strange is the lack of response from so, so, so many. Yes, many dedicated activists and everyday citizens and good neighbors and decent people are holding the line and showing up when it matters. Looking especially at you, brave people of Minneapolis. But the fact that some of the most wealthy, most famous and most privileged among us have chosen to stay quiet or stick their heads in the sand? Shame. Truly, completely, shame. Now, I get it, some stars probably think it's better for celebrities to be seen and not heard. But fuck that. The stakes and realities of what this administration is doing are too high. We need everyone who can stand up to stand up. And now.

Which is why I keep highlighting those who do. Using your platform to say, “This is wrong, this is bad, this is unacceptable” seems like the very least our superstars could do at this moment. But given how few stars wore even the small, symbolic “Be Good” and “ICE out” pins were worn at the Golden Globes, we have a long, long silent road ahead.

Which is why it feels so refreshing that Billie Eilish has consistently used her platform and public appearances to register her dissent. From her acceptance speech for the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award for Environmental Justice:

“To be honest, I really don’t feel deserving. And it’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now. We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans. It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities is not a priority for this administration. And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets.”

What’s happening right now in America is not OK. We are not OK. And we shouldn’t stop shouting it from the rooftops until everyone is OK.

Good thing I already love Billie’s music, because that right there is how you make me a fan for life. Keep fighting the good fight. Happy weekend, all.