Why Taylor Swift has finally become political

Taylor Swift and politics did not always mix.

In fact, they never did it. In 12 years of existence of her eponymous debut album, which has placed her career on a superstar trajectory, she has remained a resolutely apolitical figure. It was a clever move that served him well. After all, you can not alienate half of the country if you keep your mouth shut.

Not even the controversial presidential election of 2016, a time when all of her contemporaries were voicing their opinions and where she had to face severe criticism from almost everyone for not participating, could spur singer "Delicate" to take a stand in one way or another. Instead, we simply put a photo of her online at her polling station on polling day, with a caption that simply implored people to exercise their civic duty and vote. If Taylor had a strong feeling of one way or another on Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton-And it is obvious that, like everyone else, she probably did – she did not share them with the rest of us.

But it was then and it is now. And to paraphrase a replica of the singer's hit "See what you've done to me", old Taylor can not come on the phone anymore. Why? Because she's fed up.

In an apparently harmless Instagram post Sunday – seriously, if you do not look at the legend, you can simply scroll through Taylor's simply black and white Polariod directly staring at the camera – she has treated the world of her first big understand where she is politically, by launching a passionate plea for voters who have won the right since 2016 to make sure they're enrolled for mid-term next month while explaining why she does not want, can not support Marsha Blackburn, a Republican member of the House of Representatives standing in the Senate.

"I have always voted and will always vote according to the candidate who will protect and defend the human rights we all deserve in this country," Taylor explained. "I believe in the struggle for LGBTQ rights and the fact that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is FALSE I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people Color is terrifying, disgusting and spilled.I can not vote for someone who will not want to fight for the dignity of ALL Americans, no matter what their skin color, sex or those who are. they like. "

Cast support behind the Democratic opponent of Blackburn, Phil DresdenIn addition to advancing a Democratic nominee to the House of Representatives, Taylor explained that, despite her desire to support women candidates, Blackburn's electoral record, which "shock and scare" the singer, makes it impossible for her to support. .

"She voted against equal pay for women and voted against the law on the rehabilitation of the Violence against Women Act, which aims to protect women from domestic violence and harassment. She believes that companies have the right to refuse to serve same-sex couples and also believes that they should not have the right to marry, "she wrote. "These are not my Tennessee values."

The reaction to the position has been resolutely divided – which is predictable given the current state of everything that is happening in America. Those on the left have welcomed in the resistance, while the right has released their old replica "Shut up and sings", which is ironic given their full embrace. Kanye West and his MAGA hat, but we're moving away. In a standout tweet, former governor Mike Huckabee She graciously allowed Taylor "the right to be political," but said that it would have no impact on the Blackburn Senate race "unless the girls allow it. 13 years to vote ". This sounds like a serious underestimate of Taylor's impact and reach, but you, Mike.

Of course, the question remains: why now? What prompted Taylor to break protocol and take a stand? The easy answer to this question, it seems, would be a matter of timing. As she notes at the end of her message, October 9th is the last day for the citizens of her home country to register in order to be able to vote in time for the November semester. And you can not encourage your fans to vote, nor hope to influence how they vote, if they missed that crucial deadline.

But, as Taylor herself alludes to in her message, it is not just that. "In the past, I have been reluctant to publicly express my political views," she conceded, "but, because of many events in my life and the world over the past two years, I feel very differently about it now ".

So what were these events? The obvious answer would seem to be his assault and his drums suit countered by a scandalized radio DJ. David Mueller, who had been fired from her job after fumbling in 2013 and had the audacity to sue her mother Andrea for ruining her career and claiming millions of dollars in damages. The trial ended a little over a year ago. The jury awarded Taylor a symbolic dollar and the singer is dedicated to helping those who may not be able to fight as easily as she does.

"I recognize the privilege I enjoy in life, in society and in my ability to bear the enormous cost of defending myself in a lawsuit like this. To help those who must also make their voices heard, "she said. statement published at E! News immediately after his victory. "Therefore, I will make donations in the near future to several organizations that help victims of sexual assault to defend themselves."

And as she spoke to a crowd of adoring fans during her celebration tour on the first anniversary of the victory, her thoughts remained the attention of all those victims who had not been believed. "I just think of all the people who did not believe and those who had not been, or the people who were afraid to talk because they thought we would not believe them", she told her audience. "And I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for anyone who would have never believed it because I did not know what would have been my life if people did not believe me when I said that something m & # 39; I guess I just wanted to say we have it, we have so much way to go and I'm very grateful to you for being there for me during what was really a horrible part of my life. "

And for Taylor's first political statement coming a day after Brett Kavanaugh, a man accused of two sexual assaults perpetrated by women to which much of the country and half of the Senate chose not to believe, has been confirmed before the Supreme Court in a process precipitated by the party against which she pleads now ? This does not seem to be a mere coincidence.

"Huge congratulations to anyone who finally convinced Taylor Swift to be on the right side of history," writer Kara Brown tweeted, prompting a quote tweet from a longtime music contributor and a close friend of Taylor Joseph Kahn, who specified who deserves the congratulations.

"Herself" wrote.

Just as Taylor never gave in to pressure from those who demanded her political opinion in recent years, there is no reason to believe that she would bow down to those who now demand that she shut up, that the right trolling be doomed. She always had a voice. And no matter what she says, it's nice to finally see her use it.

Welcome to the world of political activism, Taylor. He was waiting.