Anyone that knows me knows that I am a long-time Taylor Swift supporter. When I say long-time I mean opening up for Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw on the radio kind of days. In fact, my best friend and I would recreate home videos of Taylor and Abigail (Thankfully, I’m struggling to find proof). 

With this “Swiftie Stan” title I have amongst my family, friends, and peers, I often get questioned about Taylor. Now, I am a proud swiftie and will happily defend Taylor. That doesn’t mean I swoon at her every move because I believe in constructive debate as well as discussing people’s actions. 

Does Taylor need me to defend her? Obviously not, she is marketing genius that has a career of accolades in itself, enough Grammy’s to distribute to BTS members, and awards that prove her strengths lie in commanding a stage and effortless lyricism. 

But, I do defend her. 

I do this because Taylor Swift has cultivated a relationship with her fans that parallels no other artist and fanbase I know. She plays games with her music videos because her fans love the pursuit. The cat-mom of three loves the cat and mouse chase of clues as much as her fans. Taylor trusts her fans. She invites countless groups of fans to her house hosting a listening party for her music prior to its release. She spends hours before and after concerts meeting as many people as she can because she values the people who have been a catalyst in her career. All of this without charging a dime for meet and greets.

“Ok, Taylor Swift loves her fans, we get it. Let’s talk about how problematic she is.”

Enter the age of “cancel culture” deemed by the rise of social media and its oversaturation of opinions, harsh reactions, and vulgar comments hidden behind the shield of anonymity. Most people who want to argue the success of Ms. Swift want to do so by arguing points made popular by “traditional media” longing for headlines to earn clicks and views. 

Taylor has had a career of longevity with a team that has been there for the rise. That sort of loyalty would not be present with a vexed and controversial client. Taylor has a diverse team of dancers, background singers, and band members. She brings many upcoming artists to her shows and sings their singles with them, giving them a generous promotion all while just celebrating two musicians having fun on stage. Has a mistake been made over the course of growing up in the public eye? Of course, but if you’re expecting a young adult to have life figured out to a polished degree of perfection, your priorities might be out of order. 

I don’t think anyone with a public career owes it to others to discuss personal matters and politics, public career does not need to be synonymous with a public life. However, I do think those with a platform that do not speak up are missing an opportunity. Taylor speaks out against racism, sexism, bigotry, homophobia, and encourages young people to vote. In true Taylor fashion, she does it in a sophisticated way. Taylor promotes voting based on integral points: doing your own research, your values, and most importantly being active in your local community. 

Taylor as a philanthropist is another topic that deserves a personal essay in itself. All I will say is that the singer-songwriter clearly cares about music, the arts, school funding, medical catastrophes, and sexual assault awareness. For those that want to argue “put your money where your mouth is”- she does. Taylor has often been seen visiting kids at hospitals, without the camera and PR stunts, fights a public lawsuit to show that these topics matter. While her actions show just as much as her money, philanthropy is an integral part of society because it provides opportunity and the opportunities that have been provided from Ms. Swift’s charitable donations are immeasurable.

Through all these words, acts, and life in the public she’s given up her privacy, her diary entries, her ability to seek asylum in a coffee shop without anyone knowing her name. She’s opened her heart and at times been ridiculed, shamed, and discredited by people who know nothing about her.

All that glitters is not gold, and music is subjective. However, my particular taste lends its ear towards the painted imagery Swift creates. 

Her music is the poetic piano ballad, grit of a guitar, and the synth of a soundboard.

It is the blind belief in true love and the loneliness of a vast New York City skyline.

Her music is the celebration of friendship, respect of loss, and rush of love.

It is a smile that flashes across your face when you think of an old friend.

 Her music is recognizing your reputation and realizing it doesn’t matter in the value of your self-worth.

It is poetry through melody, gaining its power when the words leave the paper and transcend is someone’s mind. 

Thank you, Taylor.  For all that you give.