When Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris, millions who had been pushing the world’s most famous pop star to take a stance let out a sigh of relief. Others in left wing spaces remain disappointed and have maintained that Swift must be on the #BlockOut2024 list (where influencers and celebrities are blocked for their silence on the genocide in Gaza). My question this week is, what are your expectations of the people you follow and partake in the fandom of? In left wing spaces, do we demand perfect, absolute alignment at all times on all issues?
What is their responsibility to us? What would be deemed ‘enough’?
I believe with influence comes responsibility, especially when feminist values are being monetised by these powerful individuals (but only when it applies to them). But I also wonder and want to interrogate what exactly it is I want and what would ‘satisfy’ me in terms of celebrity political advocacy. Is it a criticism we save for women?
I find it such a tricky line! While I do think that those in power should use their influence for good, I don't find it completely fair that we sometimes expect them to speak out on every single issue that arises. World events (politics, wars etc.) are often complex and while I don't think people need to be experts to share their thoughts, I'm not surprised when people who do have a lot of followers may wish to hold back as opposed to posting immediately.
I sometimes wonder whether Taylor Swift gets more credit than she deserves for her alignment with left wing causes. To endorse a democratic candidate is so far from a pronouncement of progressivism given how far the party has gone to the right. Between Taylor's friendships and romantic relationships with problematic individuals to her seeming commitment to exacerbating the climate crisis to predatory business decisions that take advantage of her fanbase, I think it's a strange expectation that she would strongly align with a sweeping progressive agenda.
I think it's wonderful that the most famous person alive is a women and what that does for the empowerment of women. I also think it's impossible to become that rich and powerful and be truly committed to a left wing agenda (if that means supporting justice and equality for the disadvantaged). I think this is where 'left wing' can become an unhelpfully broad term as I don't think anyone can be part of the 1% and be left wing considering the centrality of class to political positioning.
And with all that said, I'm not seeking to cancel her. I smash out Folklore on repeat and admire her artistry. But by no means am I expecting her to align with all of my political and social views.
My expectation is that they use their power and influence for social change as much as they possibly can, and that we continue to demand that from them as fans. As women, our bodies are political and this is why we expect solidarity in times when our rights are being targeted specifically. But this shouldn't by any means let men off the hook, it's just that we crave solidarity from women who do have power to stand up for women who don't. This should go beyond domestic politics and should be intersectional especially for white women... see Nicola Coughlan / Chappell Roan as good examples of white women who have stood up for international pollitics not just domestic.
Taylor is exceptional on so many levels. I hate the Gaza Israel murders but Taylor is not a politician who can control the choices of the US Govt or other governments. By endorsing Kamala she is saying this is the political direction she recommends people go. I think criticizing Taylor for not taking a stance on the international politics that is Gaza Israel is just finding a reason to criticize her which seems to be a favourite past time these days.
I find it such a tricky line! While I do think that those in power should use their influence for good, I don't find it completely fair that we sometimes expect them to speak out on every single issue that arises. World events (politics, wars etc.) are often complex and while I don't think people need to be experts to share their thoughts, I'm not surprised when people who do have a lot of followers may wish to hold back as opposed to posting immediately.
I sometimes wonder whether Taylor Swift gets more credit than she deserves for her alignment with left wing causes. To endorse a democratic candidate is so far from a pronouncement of progressivism given how far the party has gone to the right. Between Taylor's friendships and romantic relationships with problematic individuals to her seeming commitment to exacerbating the climate crisis to predatory business decisions that take advantage of her fanbase, I think it's a strange expectation that she would strongly align with a sweeping progressive agenda.
I think it's wonderful that the most famous person alive is a women and what that does for the empowerment of women. I also think it's impossible to become that rich and powerful and be truly committed to a left wing agenda (if that means supporting justice and equality for the disadvantaged). I think this is where 'left wing' can become an unhelpfully broad term as I don't think anyone can be part of the 1% and be left wing considering the centrality of class to political positioning.
And with all that said, I'm not seeking to cancel her. I smash out Folklore on repeat and admire her artistry. But by no means am I expecting her to align with all of my political and social views.
P.s. I love the way you get me thinking about interesting topics Hannah
My expectation is that they use their power and influence for social change as much as they possibly can, and that we continue to demand that from them as fans. As women, our bodies are political and this is why we expect solidarity in times when our rights are being targeted specifically. But this shouldn't by any means let men off the hook, it's just that we crave solidarity from women who do have power to stand up for women who don't. This should go beyond domestic politics and should be intersectional especially for white women... see Nicola Coughlan / Chappell Roan as good examples of white women who have stood up for international pollitics not just domestic.
Taylor is exceptional on so many levels. I hate the Gaza Israel murders but Taylor is not a politician who can control the choices of the US Govt or other governments. By endorsing Kamala she is saying this is the political direction she recommends people go. I think criticizing Taylor for not taking a stance on the international politics that is Gaza Israel is just finding a reason to criticize her which seems to be a favourite past time these days.