If this is what it takes to get the 18-30 year olds to the polls in the right states, idgaf. Just win, baby!
Oh absolutely, by any means necessary. Which is why I say it’s wonderful.
But it’s disheartening that a celeb endorsement can drive such engagement. Might be dating myself here but it always reminds me of “what does Ja Rule think!?!”
I’d argue this isn’t any celebrity though. Say what you will about Taylor and her music but she has successfully marketed herself as a wholesome role model for younger generations who has ran a nearly 20 year career scandal free. To them she represents more than celebrity fame. She’s a movement and if she says vote they will vote.
I’m glad she’s a wholesome role model/movement.
I’m glad that she’s encouraging folks to vote.
I’m glad she’s encouraging folks to vote Dem.
I’m less glad that there are kids whose participation in democracy seems to hinge on a singer. I know that this has always been the case to some extent it just feels increasingly so and kind of sad. Let’s not forget that trump’s main qualification to get into politics was his celebrity.
My grumpy old man take is our politics are getting dumber and dumber and people registering to vote because their favourite musician told them to, no matter how wholesome or good she is, seems a symptom of that.
For singers who are mostly political, sure, this kind of makes sense (think most of the famous 60s singers, most punk etc) but, to the best of my knowledge/limited listening, Swift’s music has seemed pretty non political, which makes it a bit weird to me. (That being said, also what makes it a bit more effective. Rage against the Machine telling folks to vote is preaching to the choir.)
Tl;dr: a good thing has happened, I’m just pining for a better yesteryear that may have never actually existed.