With the release of her newest album, “Midnights,” Taylor Swift is on the minds of everyone, whether they like her or not. This is partly due to her ever-growing fanbase, affectionately known as Swifties. Swift has some of the most dedicated fans in the music industry, as they repeatedly sell out merch and concert tickets within minutes of them becoming available. Swifties are also known to speak highly of her, encourage others to listen to her music, and post their support for her on social media.
Despite having the loyal fans as she does, Swift gets an unprecedented amount of hate. I wondered how it could be true that she has one of the largest fan bases in the world, yet is still such a controversial figure in the music industry. The love she receives is passionate and abundant, but the hate rolls in right behind it with equal fervor. Oftentimes, the hate is not only about her music but about Swift as a person. Her music may not be for everyone, but the disrespect geared toward her as a person and artist is uncalled for.
In pop culture, it is inevitable that once something gains a large following and becomes popular, people will find ways to tear it down. While this has been a pattern for many years, social media has exacerbated it. I believe this partly stems from a need to be “different” on social media. Being labeled as basic is something many people try to avoid, so they resort to exuding negativity about anything popular. This is especially true with Swift, as she’s so popular that many people make it a point to show their dislike of her.
Another conclusion I’ve come to is that, because her fans are overwhelmingly young and female, she receives less respect than she deserves. Things that are inherently known to appeal to young females are often looked down upon and made fun of, such as the color pink and dancing as a sport. Swift falls prey to this.
My thoughts are supported by the actions of guys my own age and even older adults. Whenever Swift is brought up in conversation with them, I often notice eye rolls and scoffs. There is no acknowledgment of her various accomplishments in the music industry, her impressive song-writing ability or her marketing skills. She is simply dismissed, and they don’t take her seriously.
The same cannot be said for male artists, whose accomplishments and skills are often taken into consideration and respected, even if one might not like their music. Not liking Swift’s music is one thing, but disrespecting her as an artist is another. Swift has made great strides in the music industry and deserves to have her artistry recognized without so much disagreement and controversy. Everyone is entitled to having their likes and dislikes — I don’t even consider myself a Swiftie — but the majority of Swift’s hate stems from a biased and unfair place. She deserves to be recognized for her true talent and dedication to her work without the blatant disrespect that trails behind.
