A Grammy night celebration quickly turned into a debate about who truly built America, sparked by a seemingly innocuous acceptance speech. On February 1, country artist Shaboozey, fresh off winning Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen,” thanked “immigrants” for their contributions to the nation, igniting a firestorm online and drawing a response from the daughter of a civil rights icon.
A Viral Moment and a Historical Reckoning
The Grammy’s stage became the unlikely setting for a complex conversation about immigration, slavery, and the foundations of American society.
Shaboozey, the Nigerian-American singer behind the hit song “Amen” and “Bar Song (Tipsy),” stated, “Immigrants built this country literally. So this is for them, for all children of immigrants. This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunity to be a part of a nation that promised freedom for all and equal opportunity to everyone willing to work for it.” He continued, “Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories, and your traditions here. You give America color.”
While his words resonated with many, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration policies and recent tensions in Minnesota, they also drew swift criticism from some Black Americans who felt the statement overlooked the forced labor and systemic oppression of their ancestors.
Dr. Bernice King, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., weighed in on X, questioning whether the phrase “immigrants built this country” includes the enslaved Africans and their descendants whose unpaid labor was foundational to the American economy.
“Are people including enslaved Africans, descendants of those enslaved, and Black people whose unjust, low-wage labor sustained the economy in the 1800s/1900s as immigrants when they say ‘immigrants built this country?’” King asked on social media on February 2.
King argued that acknowledging the contributions of immigrants shouldn’t erase the history of slavery and Jim Crow. “Because chattel slavery was for the express purpose of building empire, but our ancestors weren’t folks who came here seeking a better life,” she explained. Before the Civil War, nearly four million Black people were enslaved, contributing to the construction of national landmarks like the White House, the development of infrastructure, and even the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
“They arrived in chains, were bred like cattle, and severely violated, sexually and otherwise,” King continued. “Their trauma shouldn’t be diminished or forgotten, even in efforts toward freedom from ICE’s inhumane, violent tactics.”
As the nation observes the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, King’s statement highlights a critical debate about historical narratives and inclusive recognition. While some found Shaboozey’s message uplifting, others saw it as a painful omission. King concluded, “We can only get to justice for all when truth is taught, embraced, and spoken.” Shaboozey has not yet publicly responded to the criticism.
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