FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Shakira, who is currently on tour in the US, spoke about her personal experiences as an immigrant in the country.
The singer moved from Colombia to Miami as a teenager, “looking for a better future.” Last year, she dedicated her Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album to her “immigrant brothers and sisters,” declaring: “I will always fight by your side.”
Speaking to the BBC, Shakira said that being an immigrant in the US means "living in constant fear", expressing hope that the Trump administration's attitude towards immigrants can change in a more "humane" way.
"I was only 19 years old when I moved to the United States, like many other immigrants from Colombia who come to this country looking for a better future. It was an uncertain and difficult situation. But I wanted to succeed," she said.
This journey has taken her from Miami, where she learned English by reading thesauruses and Leonard Cohen poetry, to the international stage. Yet despite her success, she feels unscathed by the harsh rhetoric and ever-changing policies that have characterized the public debate about immigration in the United States in recent years.
"It's not just a political issue," Shakira continues. "It's a matter of human dignity. The way we treat others should always be humane."
Her comments come at a time when immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics.
During his election campaign, President Donald Trump pledged to focus on deporting non-citizens accused of violent crimes.
However, in recent weeks, his government has stepped up its efforts, seeking to increase daily arrests from around 660 to up to 3,000, sparking strong reactions from concerned citizens.
Recently, Shakira has turned her attention back to her early experiences in the US, reflecting on the acceptance she experienced and the change she sees regarding the Trump administration's stance on immigrants.
"Now, more than ever, we must stand united. Now, more than ever, we must raise our voices and make it clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the way it treats people must always remain humane," she said in her interview with the BBC, where she also referred to her children, from whom she draws strength both in her daily life and in her shows.
“When I have a concert, they get a little stressed because they want everything to go perfectly for me. They’re always worried and ask me, ‘Mom, how did it go? Did you fall? Are you okay?’ And I try to show them that there’s no such thing as a perfect performance. It’s okay to make mistakes. My heart beats fast every time I see them. They’re everything to me. They’re my strength, my reason for living. So having them on stage with me every night is really priceless.”
Lini një Përgjigje