White Feminism by definition is a form of feminism that focuses only on the struggles of white women, while not addressing others oppression, such as women of color and so on and so forth.
White feminists tend to only speak up when it’s beneficial to themselves and other white women. Taylor Swift fits into this category of white feminism. Swift recently was put on the front cover of Time for the #MeToo campaign that surfaced after different sexual abuse victims came forward with their story. I’m not here to discredit or belittle the sexual assault that Swift has faced. Swift is brave in coming forward and actively fighting her abuser.
But I’m tired of hearing that Taylor Swift is a feminist icon.
Swift has neglected to speak on any social issues that are occurring in this country and around the world. Her new album revolves around herself not taking responsibility for her actions and making herself look like the victim in every situation. Swift has done this even before her new album, I would like to take a step back in time to 2015.
After the VMA’s recently announced the video nominations for video of the year, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift began to feud on Twitter. Nicki Minaj had expressed her displeasure with her song “Feeling Myself” not being nominated. Minaj sent out a series of tweets about how she felt she was being snubbed for creating great videos just as the white nominees, but her video not getting credit. Swift, whose video was up for nomination, answered back stating that Nicki should stop pitting women against each other.
Hold up. Nicki had not even said anything about her.
Taylor had taken it upon herself to make the issue of African Americans working just as hard as white people and not getting any credit, about her. The issue of people of color getting no credit in Hollywood has been an issue for ages. Taylor does not once address the unfair treatment Nicki gets, but in fact, makes it about herself.
Now back to present time, Swift has not once spoken up about events that are occurring in the country that don’t affect white women.
She has not once spoken out about the racial oppression that is going on in this country. Swift has not spoken up about the police brutality that affects African American men and women on a daily basis. She’s not spoken up about Hispanic and Latino women making 64 cents less than white men in America. Swift has not once talked about the high rate of trans women of color who are being murdered around America.
In today’s political climate there is no room for silence on these issues, especially if you claim yourself as feminist, as Swift does. While Taylor is praised for being put on the cover of Time, there are many other deserving candidates who stand up for others and not just themselves.
Terry Crews, Kesha, Gabrielle Union, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Viola Davis, Ellen Page, Sophia Bush, and Lupita Nyong'o are just some of the candidates who use their voice to speak up on all issues, not just the ones that affect them.
Taylor Swift is not the voice of the feminist movement. Taylor Swift is not a feminist icon. Her voice should not be heard over those celebrities who speak for those who are unable to be heard.
It's time for society to find a new "feminist icon."
