By Ben Thompson
After a long period of remaining politically neutral, Taylor Swift has come out and endorsed a political candidate. With the mid-term elections (in which Americans will vote for their representatives in Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives) fast approaching, Swift took to Instagram to implore her fans to register to vote.
In the Instagram post, the 28-year-old pop-star endorsed Congressman Jim Cooper for re-election and Phil Bredesen for election to the Senate. Both candidates are vying to represent Tennessee, Swift’s home-state. In endorsing the two Democrats, Swift put an end to speculation that she was a Republican. She even went so far as to criticise the Republican candidate running against Bredsesen, Marsha Blackburn, stating that her voting record on gender and LGBT equality “appalls and terrifies” her.
It’s no surprise that the singer wading into political waters left people divided. Some love the fact that celebrities voice their opinions, believing that it’s their duty as somebody with a platform to speak out against injustices. Others aren’t such big fans of celebrity political statements – least of all President Donald Trump, who remarked “I like her music 25% less now.”
In the wake of her endorsement, 65,000 fans registered to vote. While some may feel that celebrities who wade into political territory can run the risk of making themselves seem out of touch or self-important, as if their opinion is one you have to listen to, Swift’s statement has undeniably made a powerful impact. She spoke her piece and eloquently laid down her reasons for voting Democrat and most importantly without telling her fans who they should vote for. For a star with lots of young fans who adore and seek to emulate her, it is commendable that she encouraged people to make their own decisions.
Who you vote for shouldn’t be dictated to you by your favourite musician. Do your research, evaluate the candidates, and always turn out to vote.
By Brontë Schiltz A few weeks ago, I had to watch Paranorman for one of my Masters modules (the perks of studying the Gothic). At the end of the film (spoilers), it is revealed that the witch tormenting the fictional townspeople is the revenant spirit of Agatha, a young girl accused of witchcraft, who was…
By Callum Baker Photography by Georgina Hurdsfield Friday saw Dirty Hit Records’ own The Japanese House grace the stage of Manchester Academy 2 to an excitable and receptive crowd. Since her emergence in 2015, which is seldom a distant memory, her success has grown exponentially, along with her confidence. Still modest and mild mannered, she…
By Georgina Hurdsfield After a hiatus that began in 2017, New Jersey’s favourite five-piece alt-indie band Pinegrove are back, with UK tour dates and the physical release of their self-released album, Skylight, on 15th February 2019, with all proceeds going to charity. Skylight boasts stripped-back, openhearted, emo-revival sounds, with little bits of indie-folk drafted in…
By Shawna Healey USA-based airline, United Airlines, has announced that it is changing its booking policies, now allowing for passengers to choose “undisclosed or unspecified” instead of male and female, and to use the title “Mx” instead of other traditional titles. The changes come just over a month after several American US carriers confirmed that they will…
Leave a reply