Björn Ulvaeus, best known as a member of Swedish pop group ABBA, has voiced his support for Black Lives Matter protesters.
“The world is full of idiots,” Ulvaeus said in a phone-recorded video sent to news organisation, Reuters.
“The solidarity that we see in the streets of the cities around the world now should give us hope,” Ulvaeus said.
Ulvaeus went on to criticise those without “the imagination or will to put themselves in the place of a coloured woman or man.”
He also compared the Black Lives Matter protests to the #MeToo movement. According to Ulvaeus, both “are about seeing the person next to you as an equal”.
While he was quick to voice his disdain for the “idiots” of the world, Ulvaeus is optimistic about the future.
“I see my grandchildren growing up without an ounce of the poison of racism in them, and I think they’ll stay that way.”
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Like many around the world, Ulvaeus has been self-isolating from home in recent months. His native Sweden were one of few countries to opt for a “herd immunisation” strategy in tackling the virus. At time of writing, the country had recorded just over 45,000 cases of coronavirus.
In February, Tone Deaf reported that ABBA would likely release new music in 2020. It would be the first time the Swedish four-piece have new released music in 37 years.
Pianist and songwriter, Benny Andersson, confirmed that new ABBA songs are “coming this year.”
“I’m guessing after the [European] summer. But I can only guess, because I’m not really sure. But I would think so,” he said.
There is no word yet on any specific release dates for the new ABBA songs, and it is unclear whether their release will be affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Check out ‘Fernando’ by ABBA:
