By Alicia Keys’ new video on the refugee crisis, released by “Upworthy,” a non-profit organization, shows us how it could have easily happen to any of us. The 11-minute-long video titled, “Let Me In – We Are Here,” starts off as a normal day for Keys and her family living in Los Angeles, as her son and daughter are shown.
In the background, Keys attempts to drown out the news anchor’s latest update of American Armed Forces launching air strikes. All of a sudden, one hits their house. Through a continuous state of fear and confusion, Keys directs her kids to move swiftly, as their lives are targeted.
By using her platform to speak out on a controversial issue that is not only affecting the progression of this country, but the lives of many innocent people as well, Alicia Keys has turned more heads toward the direction of a crisis that needs to be rectified.
In search of a new place to live and a new life to build, Keys loses her daughter right before she gets on the boat heading to Mexico. Her daughter continues on to the same destination by walking with the rest of the refugees.
What can we learn from this video? Refugees are just like the rest of us, aspiring to achieve the same goals, but their opportunity to do so has been robbed from them. This video accurately depicts the refugee crisis — and attempts to shed light on the brutal hardships they encounter to get to America.
Through the many exposures of being in a war zone, while trying to ensure a stable and safe lifestyle for their family with a limited source of medical personnel, refugees can easily feel the weight of the war fighting against their right of pursuing a happy life.
Losing your home and being separated from your family is something many of us can not fathom to happen to us — but it’s an unfortunate reality for refugees every day. Alicia Keys can be easily praised on this video for portraying how easy it could have been any of us in the circumstance.
With her fearless stance to make a statement on this crisis, she indirectly sends a message to viewers that at the end of the day, it ultimately comes down to having humanity and morals.
Her song “Hallelujah” empathizes with the general state of struggle for a typical refugee. By using her platform to speak out on a controversial issue that is not only affecting the progression of this country, but the lives of many innocent people as well, Alicia Keys has turned more heads toward the direction of a crisis that needs to be rectified.
A common theme with many celebrities in Hollywood today is their silent stance on problems our country faces. Many fear if they pick a side they will receive backlash from their fans and jeopardize their opportunities further their careers in the music and acting business, but not Alicia Keys.
With her fearless stance to make a statement on this crisis, she indirectly sends a message to viewers that at the end of the day, it ultimately comes down to having humanity and morals. Allowing these victimized refugees to suffer only shows a lack of both. Through her song in this video, Alicia Keys sends a clear message to just let them in.