For centuries, women have fought to be seen and heard, and while progress has been made, the struggles of women of colour often remain overlooked. Black women, for instance, were excluded from the Suffragette movement in the UK and weren’t granted the right to vote until 1928, when the Representation of the People Act was passed, allowing all individuals to vote. In the United States, black women weren’t able to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I´m going to delve deeper into white feminism.
I know my words might upset Swifties, but I want to clarify from the start: this is not an attack on Taylor Swift’s talent. She is undeniably gifted, and her music has resonated with millions. But as someone who has grown up with her music, I can’t help but feel that Taylor’s brand of feminism does not always extend to all women—especially women of colour.
Taylor Swift: A Pop Star With a Complicated Feminist Legacy
Taylor Swift became a household name with her debut album in 2006, and her career has skyrocketed ever since. Yet, throughout her rise to fame, Taylor has been subjected to the harsh scrutiny of the media, from sexist comments about her appearance to criticisms of her personal life, particularly her relationships with famous men. Like many others, I grew up with her music. There is a 10-year age gap between us; as a young girl, I was obsessed with her. However, as I grew older, her music no longer spoke to me in the same way.
Taylor has faced unfair treatment in the media, and her experience of being vilified is undeniably disheartening—though, sadly, it’s not unusual for women in the entertainment industry. But as we all know, internalised misogyny was rampant in the 2000s and 2010s, and it was reflected in her music, particularly in songs like Better Than Revenge, where the lyrics perpetuate the idea of competing with women over men.
For much of her career, Taylor avoided speaking out on social issues. Celebrities were expected to focus on their craft rather than engage in activism. But as public demand for celebrities to take a stand grew, Taylor began to speak out. In 2016, she addressed the misogyny she had faced, but some people weren’t buying it, especially considering her Bad Blood video, which seemed more like a personal feud with Katy Perry than an act of feminism.
That same year, Nicki Minaj called out the racist and sexist undertones of the MTV Video Music Awards, but Taylor took the tweet personally, misinterpreting it as a direct attack on her. This was a moment that exposed Taylor’s selective approach to feminism and further demonstrated how she often chooses when to embrace it.
Her White Feminism and White Privilege
Taylor has faced her share of sexism. Kanye West famously interrupted her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and in 2016, she was dragged into a public row with him over a lyric in his song Famous. Yet, while these incidents were undeniably upsetting, there’s a pattern in Taylor’s actions that reveals a certain level of privilege.
In her documentary Miss Americana, Taylor expressed a desire to use her voice more and address issues she had previously avoided. But to me, her feminism appears to be more about capitalism than about advocating for all women. Yes, Taylor speaks out against sexism when it personally affects her, but when it comes to speaking up for other women—especially women of colour—she falls short.
A glaring example is her silence regarding the abuse faced by black and brown women. In 2017, she was sued by a man who accused her of ruining his career after she publicly accused him of sexual assault. Taylor was praised for her bravery, and rightfully so—no one should have to endure sexual assault, and speaking out against it is courageous. But why, then, does Taylor remain silent when women of colour face similar or worse abuse?
In 2021, she called out Ginny & Georgia, a comedy show, for making a lazy, sexist joke about her dating history. Yet, despite her vocal stance on this issue, she chose to date Matt Healy, whose history includes making racist comments about Ice Spice and other offensive remarks about women of colour. This speaks volumes about her selective activism. If Taylor truly cared about all women, she would have avoided dating someone with such a problematic past.
The Hypocrisy of Selective Activism
Taylor’s latest album, Tortured Poets, has also drawn criticism, particularly due to a line in the song I Hate It Here, where she sings: “We would pick a decade, we wished we could live in instead of this, I’d say the 1830s, but without all the racists and getting married off for the highest bid.” The intention behind the line seems to be a longing for a simpler time, but it is marred by the fact that she has never truly spoken out about racism. Her casual mention of racism in the 1800s without addressing the present-day racial issues shows her lack of commitment to addressing systemic racism.
Her silence on the Israel-Palestine conflict further compounds the issue. While some argue that she doesn’t owe us her views, the reality is that as a highly influential figure, her silence on matters like this is not just passive; it’s actively harmful. When Taylor chooses to speak out on issues that affect her, but ignores those that affect others, especially marginalised groups, it undermines her claims to be a feminist for all.
True Feminism Is For Everyone
I am not suggesting that every social issue requires Taylor Swift’s voice, but as a pop icon with immense influence, her platform is powerful. Her silence in the face of some of the most pressing issues affecting women of colour—while selectively speaking out when it suits her—reveals a deep flaw in her approach to feminism.
Taylor Swift is undoubtedly a talented and influential woman, but her feminism is rooted in privilege. Feminism, in its truest sense, must advocate for all women—not just those who look like us or share our experiences. Women of colour face both sexism and racism, and these intersecting forms of oppression require a more inclusive, nuanced approach to activism. Taylor’s actions show that her feminism is often a reflection of white privilege, and until she addresses this, her advocacy will remain incomplete.
