With "Reputation", Taylor Swift Buys Fully Into Capitalism | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

With "Reputation", Taylor Swift Buys Fully Into Capitalism

Look What You Made Me Do.

255
With "Reputation", Taylor Swift Buys Fully Into Capitalism
Endgaget

When I started writing for the Odyssey two years ago, my first article discussed how I was finally over the Taylor Swift obsession that had followed me all throughout middle school, high school, and my freshman year of college. I am, I guess, a reformed "Swiftie". I had Taylor Swift t-shirts, knew the words to every one of her songs, and had been to two of her shows. My Taylor Swift Tumblr blog had almost 1000 followers, including Swift herself, and I staunchly defended her against all the people who called her fake or attention-grabbing and insulted her music.

The unlikely event that changed my views on Taylor Swift was the rise of the right in United States politics. While Trump and the Republican Party gained more power in late 2015, Taylor Swift, who had proudly proclaimed herself to be a feminist, remained silent. Even after the video scandal in which Trump talked about sexually assaulting a woman, Swift refused to state who she politically supported. While she posted an Instagram urging fans to vote, she did not share her own views, apparently out of fear of losing some of her fan base (or, in my cynical but probably correct opinion, out of fear for losing money).

Swift has been out of the media spotlight for the past one and a half years, but she returned to the scene with a vengeance, releasing the single "Look What You Made Me Do" in August 2017. The song discusses her disagreements with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, and she even goes as far to mimic Kardashian by discussing how she's "getting receipts" and editing them later, suggesting that she believes Kardashian edited the video footage of the phone call that caused this whole feud. (What happened to there being a "special place in hell for women who don't help other women", Taylor? Guess that only applies when people are insulting you.)

Despite the fact that the album is not out yet (it drops tomorrow, November 10th) it seems to hint at Swift getting back at the media and people like the West's for tarnishing her image. It also demonstrates how being a Taylor Swift fan is to be part of a special club that favors the rich.

In order to listen to the album, one has to buy it--it won't be on streaming services such as Spotify until weeks after it drops. The move is calculated on Swift's part--she can track her album sales--but it fails to take into account the people who may not be able to afford the $15 dollars that the album costs but have supported Swift. Worse still, Swift has now started a "Taylor Swift Tix" program in which fans buying her merchandise or tweeting her picture (you've probably seen it on UPS trucks) advance in line for tickets to her shows and are more likely to be able to go. One can buy a $50 dollar t-shirt in order to advance their standing for tickets, or shell out enough cash to buy a $75 dollar sweatshirt. The program rewards the rich and ignores those who can't afford to buy things such as the album or a sweatshirt but want to listen to some catchy tunes.

It's a constant debate whether or not celebrities have to engage in politics. And while being the most well-known pop-star in the world doesn't automatically mean that one has to engage in political issues, proclaiming yourself a feminist and then doing nothing for women who are less fortunate/have less privilege than you is an infuriating move. Until people in positions of power speak up for those who are not, we will continue maintaining the status quo and rewarding the rich and powerful while punishing the poor.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

443207
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16637
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41613
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21284
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321724
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments