Riz Ahmed on the Online Shift and Social Change sparked by COVID‑19
Already a millennial and a multitalented entertainer, Riz Ahmed sees the pandemic as a catalyst for a big cultural pivot. He tells GQ Hype that people are moving towards more digital lives – a trend that was already brewing, now sprinting ahead.
The Digital Migration
“We’re going to migrate to online living in a way that we could have done before but just didn’t,” Riz muses, while noting that the virus has pushed us farther into a world where:
- Closed borders and a looming fear of outsiders become commonplace.
- Governments gain sweeping powers.
- Life and the planet take precedence over pure economics.
Anti‑Racism and Resilience
He believes the pandemic has made us appreciate those who were once marginalized. “Who’s been holding this country together during crises? It’s the folks at the bottom of the barrel, especially those hit hardest by the pandemic,” says Ahmed. He champions the front‑line fighters who keep the NHS operational.
“If we love the NHS more than the royal family or the army, why don’t we love the people that keep it alive?” he argues, pushing for an end to prejudice.
Balancing Art and Activism
Although his passion for social justice is strong, Ahmed is cautious about blending it too heavily with his career. He says, “Sometimes you wonder whether certain things are appropriate to say out loud or if you’d rather keep them for a shower monologue or a chat with close friends.”
Riz wants to be known first and foremost as an artist, one ready to sit on a blank canvas and paint his own vision, not just a spokesperson for causes.
Read the full GQ interview for more insights from the 37‑year‑old actor‑rapper, and keep up with the latest on COVID‑19 to stay safe.
