'Miss Americana': A Feminist Response to the Victimization of Taylor Swift
Before I begin, I must say that I am an avid fan of Ms. Swift. Her sophomore album Fearless debuted when I was just six years old and I have been hooked ever since. Her music holds a very special place in my own heart (as well as many other young women’s) and, needless to say, I was ecstatic to see Miss Americana not only as a spectator but as a fan. While on the surface Miss Americana may appear to be a publicity stunt for good press or perhaps a biography of Swift’s life for her supporters, it takes form as something much more than that. A common thread woven throughout the 90-minute documentary is the media’s victimization of Taylor Swift. As Swift notes the double-edged sword between herself and her male counterparts, she begins to fight back first in baby steps and then with a stride.
The media’s victimization of Taylor Swift began after they decided she was playing the victim, a phenomenon encountered not only by the world’s biggest pop stars but among the average woman. This narrative began in 2009 as a then 32-year-old Kanye West interrupted 19-year-old Swift’s acceptance speech, taking the microphone and denouncing Swift’s win. An onslaught of media coverage became devoted to ripping Swift’s public image to shreds. Attacks ensued on Swift’s choice of friends, her body, her romantic relationships, and her career and they were constant. She was questioned for not speaking up on her beliefs but silenced when she chose to do so. A breaking point came with Swift’s 2017 sexual assault trial where she countersued her assailants million dollar defamation case for a symbolic one dollar. In this pivotal moment, she began to disregard the unfavorable media and stand up and speak out, and somehow, that was everything.
Perhaps the most striking scene in the film arises with Swift, her mom, and three of her male advisors discussing Swift’s decision to post about the midterm elections after 15 years of political silence. Ultimately she chooses to rebel against their advice, standing up for what she believes in and shocking the world by using her platform to endorse Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen for US senate amidst the tense 2018 midterms. This endorsement came amongst a year of eating disorders, sexual assault trials, and battling with her mom’s cancer. Soon after, Swift releases endorsements for March For Our Lives, endorses Democrat Jim Cooper for House of Representatives, releases an LGBTQ+ anthem (“You Need to Calm Down”), and pushes the Equality Act. Swift’s baby steps as an activist have been monumental and are unarguably important.
So what does this mean now? Love her or hate her, Taylor Swift’s journey is one that took immense courage, talent, and self-awareness that most in the public eye just don’t have. It’s important to recognize the language we are using when describing women in the industry, especially the ones that we don’t like. Are you attacking them as a person, or are you sharing your opinion on their music? Would you make the same comment if they were a man? Are there sexist or misogynistic undertones lingering in what you’re saying? These are all important questions that are fundamental for us to be asking ourselves, and director Lana Wilson forces us to ask ourselves just that. Taylor Swift still has a long road ahead of her, and Miss Americana is just the first page of her new story. The world is ready for it, the question is, is she? I believe so, but we will have to wait to find out. In the meantime, stream “The Man” and gift yourself with a Taylor Swift listening party.
