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‘Feminist’ Taylor Swift bashed for absence in Women’s March
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Taylor Swift spent her one and only 2016 gig with a fearless rendition of her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris’ hit “This Is What You Came for.”
(instagram.com/taylorswift/File)
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number of Taylor Swift’s fans had “bad blood” after she tweeted her “pride” for those who participated in the Women’s March on Washington although she herself was absent from the historic event.
Instead of joining other pop stars such as Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and Madonna in the rally for women’s rights, the “Shake It Off” hitmaker bypassed the occasion and supported the movement via Twitter. “So much love, pride, and respect for those who marched. I’m proud to be a woman today and every day,” Swift said.
So much love, pride, and respect for those who marched. I'm proud to be a woman today, and every day. #WomensMarch
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 21, 2017
Her tweet of support didn’t stop some American users from berating her, saying she should have walked alongside her fellow feminists in standing up for women empowerment. “This is gross opportunism. Be better,” one user quipped.
@taylorswift13 This is gross opportunism. Be better.
— Chris Rollins (@chrisrollins_) January 22, 2017
@taylorswift13 you got a bad leg or something? Why didn't you March?
— Effie (@MetallicKaty) January 21, 2017
Swift, 26, remained apolitical during the election campaign and desisted from endorsing politicians. She only posted a snap of herself posing after casting her ballot during Election Day.
Back in 2014, Swift branded herself as a feminist after she became close pals with “Girls” creator and author Lena Dunham.
(Read also: Madonna defends her anti-Trump speech at women's march)
She told The Guardian, “Becoming friends with Lena [Dunham]—without her preaching to me, but just seeing why she believes what she believes, why she says what she says, why she stands for what she stands for—has made me realize that I’ve been taking a feminist stance without actually saying so.”
Swift has also said she was inspired by feminists and their movement and, hence, adhered to their beliefs.
“As a teenager, I didn’t understand that saying you’re a feminist is just saying that you hope women and men will have equal rights and equal opportunities. What it seemed to me, the way it was phrased in culture, society, was that you hate men. And now, I think a lot of girls have had a feminist awakening because they understand what the word means. For so long it’s been made to seem like something where you’d picket against the opposite sex, whereas it’s not about that at all.”
This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
