I’ve been a diehard Taylor Swift fan since back in her Tim McGraw days. I’ve never gone through a phase where I didn’t like her or where I didn’t listen to her music, because I have always loved her music and everything that she stands for. I know just as many people, if not more, who do not like her one bit. Although I will never understand why this is—whether it be jealousy because she has achieved so much in a short time, or maybe it’s because she actually writes her own music and sings her own songs rather than having a team write music for her and auto-tuning everything—I am only writing this to bring attention back to the amazing parts of Taylor Swift.

Remember that time Taylor Swift sang “Breathless” by Better Than Ezra for a benefit for Haiti after the earthquake in 2010? She did this because she was interested in raising hope and awareness for those affected by the earthquake that devastated the entire country of Haiti. Maybe this sticks out to me so clearly because of my own passionate concern for Haiti, but this was not a benefit that she had to participate in; she did it by choice, because contrary to what many may believe, Taylor Swift is actually a good person. Oh, and her “Wildest Dreams” video that’s receiving so much criticism? She did this to raise money for African wildlife as well. And we can’t forget about her private concert at Jordan hospital for a six-year-old little boy who is fighting against leukemia. She also doesn’t publicize her visits to the hospitals or other organizations, which speaks volumes of her character and proves that she isn’t doing what she does simply for the way that it looks to the media.

Remember when Kanye West interrupted her and humiliated her at the Video Music Awards in 2009? And this year at the VMAs how she not only presented him with the Vanguard award, but did it with an abundance of compliments and eloquence. People came out after the show aired and criticized her still (even after doing what she did AFTER what he had done), saying that it was fake and that she was paid. Either way, she did it and that takes a big person.

Once again, Taylor Swift writes her own music; she always has, and whether or not you think that she has the best voice out there is irrelevant because, while you can train any voice to sing, it takes a real artist to write her own music and to play a plethora of instruments—including guitar, the piano, drums, and a banjo. She may not have the most amazing voice, but she has a real voice that isn’t corrected with auto-tune on every song; plus, she actually sings about parts of relationships that are deeper than sex, her songs aren’t oversaturated with cursing or negative aspects, and she is a positive role model for fans that are 20 years old to fans that are five.

I just feel like it’s incredibly unfair for people to attack Taylor Swift’s character just because they don’t like her music or because they think she is “annoying” or for some other irrelevant reason. Especially when artists like Miley Cyrus are being praised for the good they do, while things like showing up practically naked to host an awards show and singing and constantly talking about doing illegal drugs are simply brushed under the rug.

Taylor Swift deserves way more credit than she is given because she does more than try and better her own career; she tries to better the lives of her fans and anyone she comes into contact with. She knows how to carry herself in a classy way, this including her performances and the fact that she can keep her clothes on to hold your attention. She is a good girl with a good heart and intentions and deserves all of the credit that she can get.