Thank you for this analysis, i had never heard of Blume before (pardon me, I’m French 😊)
I have to say at first read I didn’t agree with the notion that Swift is mobilized, especially given her silence in the past few months. But at second reading, it occurred to me that even as she’s not speaking or siding either way on the prevalent issue of our time, her fans are. I stumbled on a twitter page (I think) called Swifties for Palestine that has tens of thousands of followers. That goes to show how their identity as a “swifty” empowers them but also how much power she holds because there is a true belief that if her and other celebrities (Beyoncé for one) asked for a peace treaty, they might override Netanyahu himself.
My other disagreement would be on the notion that only the right is shaking in their boots. I think the increase in police brutality towards students and Hillary Clinton’s intervention claiming they don’t know what they’re talking about showed that left and right, no one wants the youth to think for themselves..
Agreed, though it's funny how the mere threat of mobilization is enough to scare Republicans, which is mostly what I was talking about. And you're right, fandom has become a great space for political mobilization. It makes me think of when the BTS fans organized some actions for Black Lives Matter and against Trump, with no particular urging from the band itself:
Fandoms create the fastest bonds! I wonder if anyone did research on their politicization, but that would be a fascinating read!
Do you think what concerns republicans are worried about Taylor and her fandom because she could sway part of their more moderate voters away? I was reading an article in the NYT I think about how the abortion bans had pushed many republican women to switch sides because it was too extreme for them. I wonder if these women, who would traditionally vote conservatively might vote differently because they identify with Taylor. Now I’m worried I’m starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist! 😅
Definitely, or even just maybe young women who wouldn't have been motivated to vote at all. I think we're all starting to sound like conspiracy theorists! :)
For America’s sake (and all of ours), I hope she does sway them. It’s bad enough half of Western Europe is governed by far right lunatics, we don’t need America to fall too!
I love this essay, Jen, and now the connection between Blume and Taylor is so clear — and the phrase “stealth bomb of feminism” is so apt. I wish I could be at Book Soup!
Thank you for this analysis, i had never heard of Blume before (pardon me, I’m French 😊)
I have to say at first read I didn’t agree with the notion that Swift is mobilized, especially given her silence in the past few months. But at second reading, it occurred to me that even as she’s not speaking or siding either way on the prevalent issue of our time, her fans are. I stumbled on a twitter page (I think) called Swifties for Palestine that has tens of thousands of followers. That goes to show how their identity as a “swifty” empowers them but also how much power she holds because there is a true belief that if her and other celebrities (Beyoncé for one) asked for a peace treaty, they might override Netanyahu himself.
My other disagreement would be on the notion that only the right is shaking in their boots. I think the increase in police brutality towards students and Hillary Clinton’s intervention claiming they don’t know what they’re talking about showed that left and right, no one wants the youth to think for themselves..
Agreed, though it's funny how the mere threat of mobilization is enough to scare Republicans, which is mostly what I was talking about. And you're right, fandom has become a great space for political mobilization. It makes me think of when the BTS fans organized some actions for Black Lives Matter and against Trump, with no particular urging from the band itself:
https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-RACE/BTS-FANS/nmopajgmxva/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/22/asia/k-pop-fandom-activism-intl-hnk/index.html
And agreed on the protest front, too! I was really only thinking about these two specific women's fandoms and the fear they instill.
Fandoms create the fastest bonds! I wonder if anyone did research on their politicization, but that would be a fascinating read!
Do you think what concerns republicans are worried about Taylor and her fandom because she could sway part of their more moderate voters away? I was reading an article in the NYT I think about how the abortion bans had pushed many republican women to switch sides because it was too extreme for them. I wonder if these women, who would traditionally vote conservatively might vote differently because they identify with Taylor. Now I’m worried I’m starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist! 😅
Definitely, or even just maybe young women who wouldn't have been motivated to vote at all. I think we're all starting to sound like conspiracy theorists! :)
For America’s sake (and all of ours), I hope she does sway them. It’s bad enough half of Western Europe is governed by far right lunatics, we don’t need America to fall too!
Me too! I would honestly love to see her and Beyoncé really get out there ... we'll see.
I love this essay, Jen, and now the connection between Blume and Taylor is so clear — and the phrase “stealth bomb of feminism” is so apt. I wish I could be at Book Soup!
Eldest Daughter Type As for the win.
This is so.damn.good!! Thank you for this!
Thank you for reading!!! <3