Sunday’s Grammy Awards once again showcased the strange blend of wealth and virtue-signaling that defines much of celebrity culture. Instead of a true celebration of music, the event resembled a grievance workshop led by artists who seem disconnected from the reality of most Americans. The usual narrative emerged: America is to blame for everything. Law enforcement is unfair. Borders are a problem. And let’s not forget to throw shade at white Americans.
Among the standout moments was Billie Eilish’s speech, which cranked the outrage dial to the maximum. In her remarks, Eilish targeted immigration enforcement, boldly proclaiming that everyone in the United States occupies “stolen land.” She stated, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and added her desire for the public to “keep fighting, and speaking up, and protesting.” Her passionate expression culminated in an expletive aimed at ICE, ensuring her message was loud and clear, even if it was vulgar.
However, it begs the question: who takes serious political advice from a multimillionaire pop star? The absurdity of a figure like Eilish—who sits atop a mountain of wealth—delivering lectures about societal injustices is hard to ignore. It’s ironic, to say the least, that while she holds a gold statue in a lavish ceremony, she expresses high-minded sentiments about oppression and identity.
As an individual with ties to a federally recognized Indian tribe, the issue of land and displacement resonates differently. There’s a complex history here that often gets glossed over by celebrities eager to polish their activist credentials. Eilish may consider herself a voice for the marginalized, but her perspective raises more questions than it answers. Historically, the narrative of “stolen land” overlooks the fact that prior to European contact, numerous tribes fought and displaced each other in a constant struggle for dominance and resources.
The irony in Eilish’s comments heightened when it was revealed that the Tongva tribe, who originally claimed the land where her Los Angeles mansion stands, did not celebrate her statements. Instead, they expressed disappointment. A spokesperson from the tribe noted, “Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property,” and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the Gabrieleno Tongva territory in more specific terms. Their response lacked any gratitude for her high-profile mention and instead demanded Eilish engage more earnestly with their historical narrative.
What’s entertaining about all this is how it highlights the ever-elusive satisfaction of the left. Eilish’s comments, intended to invoke solidarity with marginalized groups, fell flat. The Tongva did not rush to praise her; they issued a reminder that her activism had not gone far enough.
This situation underscores a larger truth: the idealized narrative of noble natives peacefully inhabiting the land before European arrival is historically inaccurate. Tribes were embroiled in their own conflicts long before the Europeans settled—fighting brutal wars, displacing one another long before Columbus stepped foot on the continent.
America was not born out of simple innocence. It is equally misleading to depict it as a place characterized by the kind of cartoonish villainy that celebrities espouse. If Eilish truly wishes to make a statement about land ownership and justice, perhaps she could take the comedic leap of giving her home to the Tongva tribe. It would certainly be entertaining to witness the fallout and see if it satisfies an ever-demanding audience.
In this blend of celebrity, grievance, and historical distortion, the takeaway is clear: it’s crucial to approach the narratives spun on stages with a critical eye, weighing the facts against the lofty rhetoric often heard in the spotlight.
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