‘I believe in so much, and if I believe it one day I can see it’
Lizzo has taken to Instagram to share her belief in the US, as well as reflecting on its past and potential future, as the country’s presidential election begins to draw to a close. Beside a picture of her wearing nothing but an American flag draped over her shoulder, the singer writes: “When I think of this country I don’t think of its laws I think of its people.”
“I think about how we were raised to be patriotic of violence, propaganda and war. I think about how this country is owned by the oppressor and how the oppressed are locked in a valley of capitalism.”
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. She adds: “But I also think of the young people who refuse to be spoon fed mistruths. I think of the elders who bucked against hateful prejudices even when it felt impossible…”
“Because of you, I’m still hopeful.”
Lizzo also echoes efforts in the UK to decolonise the curriculum, writing: “I believe in a country that teaches the true history so we can better understand where we live and how we can do better.” Elsewhere, she calls for “a country that listens to the cries of the protester and doesn’t politicize death”, and that will restore land to “the communities of people who owned America before colonizers renamed it”.
“I believe in so much, and if I believe it one day I can see it,” she concludes. “It may not be tomorrow it may not be today, but it will be one day if we stay activated. We the people, ALL the people, deserve it.”
Lizzo has also been active in calling for Americans to go the polls and vote for change directly in the 2020 election. Last month, she dressed up as “Auntie Sam” to boost voter registration, while just last week she shared a video of her dropping off her own ballot (sparkly boots seem to be a running theme this year).
Read her hopeful message below.