Over the weekend, Taylor Swift came to her senses and announced that she would be voting for the Democratic Party in the upcoming 2018 Midterm Elections in her state of Tennessee. This came to a shock to many who assumed that because Swift had never given her political party affiliation, she was automatically a Trump supporter–being from the south.
Swift announced her decision on Instagram, along with a long explanation as to why she feels this way and felt the need to speak out on politics for the first time, now.
I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.
I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway.
So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting!
After her statement, many conservative and Republican fans were outraged to hear that they have spent money on her albums, concerts, and merch–and this is how she “repays” them.
Fans also decided to share on Twitter and Reddit videos of them burning their Taylor Swift albums and merch–just like the conservatives who ripped, burned, and shredded their Nikes after the company used Colin Kaepernick in an ad.
reddit users have lost it pic.twitter.com/jmJvNXpHfo
— ًLou (@taylorswifkt) October 8, 2018
republicans already burning their stuff pic.twitter.com/nJ2cIj6CnV
— ًLou (@taylorswifkt) October 8, 2018
But, people on Twitter pointed out some valid facts–like, the fact that Taylor Swift already got your money from the album/merch sale, so you’re only hurting yourselves.
Taylor Swift when she finds out that republicans are burning her merch pic.twitter.com/F339AE1qwR
— DON’T BLAME ME IS STILL THE BEST SONG ON REP (@reputationx1989) October 8, 2018
Republicans burning Taylor’s merch after they spend money buying it and for sure buying tickets for her tour too. ¿Remember that song of REP?. “Light me up, light me up, light me up”. That is “RATHATHATHATHATHATHA” pic.twitter.com/vcFdlXqhCG
— Alfie ???? (@RealSwiftie29) October 8, 2018
republicans burning taylor cds and merch as if she didn’t already get their money
— . (@theoriginnaIs) October 8, 2018
Why are republicans acting like them burning TS merch and making posts of them unstanning her gonna change the fact that she literally already took their money I’m-
— ???? ????. used to be @filmfather (@fadeintoharry) October 8, 2018
Taylor Swift when she finds out that republicans are burning her merch. pic.twitter.com/W4dG6HEqt2
— #ThatGirl is Brave (@AyaHyun23) October 8, 2018
republicans burning the taylor swift albums and merch that they already paid for like they did with eminem…. pic.twitter.com/kf8uDnJqqj
— laia the capricorn ???? (@onlyslimshady) October 8, 2018
You can be upset that someone you looked up to has different views than yours, but burning your CDs and merch? This ain’t it, chief.