Suddenly, it seems like being a feminist is the hottest thing you can be right now. Since BeyoncĂ©âs proclamation at the 2014 Video Music Awards, other celebrities and musicians have been clamoring for that title. One selfÂproclaimed feminist is none other than Taylor Swift.
Look, Iâm open about my extreme dislike for Taylor Swift. I find her to be a disingenuous, corporate machine. But I think her worse offense is her brand of feminism. In promotion for her latest album â1989,â she has gathered up a âgirl squad,â for a lack of a better term. It consists of beautiful, successful and mostly white women. She practices the old adage âhoes before bros,â which is totally ok. But my problem is with how superficial her feminism is.
âWhy is her feminism superficial?â one may ask. Why, let me tell you. Based on her actions as a soÂ-called feminist, her basic understanding of feminism is that women stand for other women.
Thatâs great! But she doesnât go deeper than that. But she does seem to contradict herself.
For example, her hit âBad Bloodâ seems to tell the story of a former friend who betrays her; sheâs out to get revenge. Rumors are that that song is about Katy Perry. But a song spouting revenge on a woman is not very feminist, Taylor.
Or take more recently, when rapper Nicki Minaj (full disclosure: Iâm a huge fan) tweeted about how her hit âAnacondaâ wasnât nominated for Video of the Year at the 2015 VMAs. Long story short, Minaj tweeted that she felt that other artists get recognized more for the same work she does. Swift then took offense to that tweet, even though Minaj didnât call her out. The two women kissed and madeÂup, but the issue still stands. Swift thought Minaj attacked her, and Swift attacked back.
Look, if tomorrow Taylor Swift announces sheâs now focusing on deeper feminist issues, such as the inequality women of color face or issues transgender women face every day, Iâll be on her team. But the fact her feminism just skims the top bothers me. For such a role model, Swift has a lot to learn.
