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Entertainment January 24, 2017
Taylor Swift is being slammed, even by some of her own fans, for not showing up at the Women’s March.
When over 3.3 million people around the world marched in solidarity for women’s rights on Jan. 21, many celebrities did all they could to show their support. From America Ferrera, who was the chair of the “Artist’s Table” at the Women’s March, to Emma Watson, who flew from England to attend alongside her mother, plenty of A-listers showed up and did their part.
Swift, on the other hand, was noticeably but unsurprisingly absent.
Instead of joining the women in the streets, she tweeted a message of support to her 83.2 million followers.
So much love, pride, and respect for those who marched. I’m proud to be a woman today, and every day. #WomensMarch
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 21, 2017
READ MORE: Being “Guardians for Each Other” at the LA Women’s March
At face value, her Twitter post is sweet, sentimental and perhaps even encouraging. Many of her fans even praised her, a woman who is often silent on political issues, for saying something.
However, as a woman who has built her brand on girl power and feminism, she is widely expected to do more.
@taylorswift13 This is gross opportunism. Be better.
— Chris Rollins (@chrisrollins_) January 22, 2017
@taylorswift13 I’ve loved and supported you for over 10 years, but I’m disappointed… I hope you do better in the future, for all of us
— Annie Wensley (@alwensley) January 23, 2017
@KelleyB101 I’ve been a fan since 2003. I don’t need her to meet MY expectations. I want her to uphold her OWN beliefs. She has said so many
— Maggie (@maggeygrace) January 24, 2017
As Maggie (@maggeygrace) points out, Taylor Swift has said and done so many things under the guise of feminism. Yet, she fails to participate in the politics of feminist causes.
Some Twitter users even reminded her how she stayed quiet all throughout election season when she could have used her platform to endorse a candidate.
@taylorswift13 fuck you. you stayed quiet all through the election process to ensure your record sales wouldn’t fall victim to a divided USA
— alexandra wang (@b_luss) January 22, 2017
@taylorswift13 then why didn’t you say anything during the presidential campaign when we could’ve made it so that this didn’t have to happen
— Rachel (@ladyofthelorde) January 21, 2017
In fact, she remained so silent that the phrase “Who is Taylor Swift voting for?” became a popular Google search term during election season.
America really wants to know who @taylorswift13 is voting for pic.twitter.com/dW6CyFmJyD
— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) November 8, 2016
Swift has previously said that she doesn’t want to get involved in the business of politics. “I don’t talk about politics because it might influence other people. And I don’t think that I know yet in life to be telling people who to vote for,” the pop star told TIME in 2012.
But now, it’s seven years later, she’s 27-years-old and she’s grown successful enough to be the the No. 1 celebrity on Forbes’ 2016 Richest Celebrities Under 30 list.
READ MORE: Taylor Swift Tops 2016 Forbes’ List of Richest Celebrities Under 30
Even if she still wants to argue that she doesn’t know enough about politics, the Women’s March should coincide with the feminist brand she’s used to carefully construct her image.
Rolling Stone noted, “Earlier in her career, Swift deflected questions about feminism because she didn’t want to alienate male fans. But these days, she’s proud to identify herself as a feminist. To her, all feminism means is wanting women to have the same opportunities as men.”
Lena Dunham, a well-known advocate for women’s rights, reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood, also said to Rolling Stone that Swift has always been a feminist, whether or not she labeled herself as one. “She runs her own company, she’s creating music that connects to other women instead of creating a sexual persona for the male gaze, and no one is in control of her. If that’s not feminism, what is?”
And sure, Swift may have even been lauded for working with other women – especially after the release of her “Bad Blood” music video. But as The Huffington Post points out, when she accepted the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2016, there were no female producers with her onstage.
She also doesn’t like it when the media criticizes her for writing songs about her exes, but her entire career has been built on a guessing game about which boyfriend coincides with which song. Other artists such as Adele, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé write about their love interests, but “Swift is the only woman to cry ‘misogyny’ when writing about relationships is brought up in the press – because it gets her more press,” The Huffington Post adds.
READ MORE: Taylor Swift’s 5 Best Breakup Songs: Listen Up Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston
The Women’s March was a historical protest for feminists around the world, and it was Taylor Swift’s chance to be an active participant in support of gender equality, equal pay, women’s rights – all things she has claimed to support. This was a time for her, as a chart-topping artist and as a woman to show up and be present for the movement that has thoroughly benefitted her career.
@OfficialYMF she has a voice. she has a platform. i wish she would have used them both.
— Jordan Ross (@jordanrosstv) January 22, 2017
In the Trump era, it’s no longer enough to post a Tweet and call it a day. More and more people – especially women – are doing what they can to forcefully counter the man who has previously boasted about “grabbing her by the pussy.”
And as a white woman, Swift’s role in the movement becomes even more complex. As Kellyanne Kanye’s (@mstharrington) viral Twitter thread poignantly points out, the Women’s March should teach white women to get familiar with feeling uncomfortable.
White women: let’s get familiar with feeling uncomfortable. #WomensMarch #WhyIMarch
— Kellyanne Kanye (@mstharrington) January 22, 2017
Black, brown, trans, and queer women have been doing this for far longer and at far greater peril. We are the ones new to this.
— Kellyanne Kanye (@mstharrington) January 22, 2017
I’m happy about the outcome of yesterday. It’s inspiring and gives me hope. But we MUST 1. Continue to work. 2. Do so with respect.
— Kellyanne Kanye (@mstharrington) January 22, 2017
I’m really looking forward to what might be possible when WW show up and put Black and brown women in charge. Truly.
— Kellyanne Kanye (@mstharrington) January 22, 2017
It looks like Taylor Swift has a lot to learn.
READ MORE: Is There Room for Pro-Life Women in the Feminist Movement?