Recently, Taylor Swift took to Instagram to break her political silence on the matter of midterm elections, specifically in Tennessee, where she will be voting. Swift touched on her dislike for Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn, about whom she said, "Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me." She instead took this moment to endorse two other candidates, Democrats Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.
Taylor Swift has a history of keeping political silence, choosing to keep her views and opinions to herself. She is a major celebrity, and this decision, not only her to share her political views, but for any major celebrity to do so, has both positives and negatives to it.
Celebrities have a large platform of fans and followers. They have the ability to influence masses of people when they go public with their stances on political news. Of course, just like any other person, celebrities should have the right to think for themselves and express how they feel on these matters. But, also just like any other person, they should do it in a respectful and factual way. Backing up their viewpoints with facts and logical reasoning is the only way anyone should express their opinions, not with slander or disrespectful remarks.
This is exactly what Taylor Swift did. She may have influenced her fans by stating her opinion, but she did so in a positive manner and therefore should be respected for that. Taylor Swift did not abuse the power that comes with being a celebrity by adding rude remarks into her statement just because she knew she could. She used her voice in a positive manner and that is all you can really ask of anyone.
All celebrities have the right to use their position and advocate political change in the direction that they support. They should not have the right to do it in a disrespectful manner, though.
Taylor Swift finally breaking her political silence is important because it shows how celebrities should act when they choose to use their voice to advocate political change. Taylor Swift is a prime example of the right way you should share your stance, and every other person should aim to do the same.
