Taylor Swift Gets Political; Some Fans Don’t Like It

By kncitom on October 8, 2018

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

By Tom Mailey

Taylor Swift has managed for years to keep her political opinions more or less to herself and she’s taken heat that, with one feminist writer calling her a “Barbie Nazi”. But, Swift largely ignored such criticism and kept her political leanings to herself.

Now, all that’s changed. In a surprising post this weekend on Instagram, Swift didn’t just speak out, she made it clear where she stands, throwing her weight behind a Democratic candidate for senate, Phil Bredesen and going into a detailed explanation of why she’s voicing her opinion now.

“In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions” The post begins, “but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now”.

Of course, in this damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t world we live in now, the criticism she’s faced for not speaking out is being replaced by criticism for speaking out, with conservative fans (and pundits, like the one below) expressing disappointment and some even calling for a boycott of her music.

But on the flip-side of that, other fans are praising her decision and suggesting this could have a big impact on November elections.

Swift, of course, is far from the first public figure to express themselves politically, which is easier than ever before with social media. Those who do can expect to take heat but with rare exceptions (the Dixie Chicks come to mind) they don’t often seem to experience long-term negative affects to their career.

Not that anybody asked but it’s my opinion that celebs, if they are compelled to, should speak out, conservative or liberal. To me, it’s just another viewpoint to consider, and I don’t put much into what they say either way. I’m certainly not going to boycott someone because they don’t align perfectly with me politically…why would I deny myself the enjoyment of their art just because we have opposing views about certain issues? But I know that’s an opinion that’s becoming less and less popular these days. I guess I just miss the days when everything with us wasn’t so all-or-nothing….which of course you’re free to disagree with. Or agree…I’ll still like you either way.

If you want to read Taylor’s full statement, scroll down

“What I used to love about Taylor Swift is she stayed away from politics” –@charliekirk11 pic.twitter.com/Nd77XXnQr8

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) October 8, 2018

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I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT