It’s no secret I love some problematic female figures. Most notably among them are Hillary Clinton, Lena Dunham and Taylor Swift. Within the last few weeks, these three figures have intersected.
Dunham visited Polk Place last Monday plugging for Clinton and speaking to the crowd about intersectionality with the wonderful Constance Wu, Janet Mock and a few other movers and shakers in the feminist community. I, of course, was elated to see one of my heroes advocating for one of the most qualified candidates for the presidency I have seen in my lifetime. And by elated, I mean near tears and close to fainting.
Despite my excitement over Dunham’s visit, I was unsettled by the lack of activism from certain figures within the last few weeks of the election season. I personally volunteered several times with Hillary for America, running the information table in the quad. But a woman who I believe should have stood up for Clinton early on in the election stayed completely silent: Taylor Swift.
I am not delusional about the lack of power I have on my Twitter account (which is mostly used to tweet about food, poetry and feelings). However, I decided a few weeks ago I’d tweet at Taylor Swift every day about endorsing Clinton until the election was over. My friends found it comical, and so did I a little bit because I know how many mentions she gets a day, but I was dedicated to my cause.
While it’s a no-brainer to assume Swift is wrapped up in a series of legal obligations to stay politically silent, likely to avoid alienating conservative fans, I was disappointed in her lack of vocalizing her choice for president. Within the past two years, Swift took a feminist stance in her public identity. A feminist wouldn’t stay quiet about what she believes. I cannot, in my heart of hearts, believe Swift would support any candidate but Clinton.
And why shouldn’t she? Both women have both been called “calculating.” They both face constant backlash and their characters are always being questioned. Swift knows how hard it is to be a powerful woman. She should stand behind a candidate who has known her struggles.
Of course, it is every citizen’s choice to not publicly announce who they are supporting for any political election. But Swift knows the power she has and she no doubt understands the seriousness of this election. I’m not saying Swift’s endorsement should be the reason young voters stand behind HRC, but her endorsement would mean her feminist stances have validity beyond sweet speeches at concerts.
By the time this column is published, we are likely to know the new president for the United States. I’m scared, and it’s not just because a certain hero of mine didn’t voice her political support for a candidate. I hope I wake up to a world where a woman can be the president. I hope I wake up to a world where activism goes beyond Twitter mentions. I want to wake up to a world where women know the power of their voices, and not just for Top 40 radio.
