This is the final installment in a two-part series exploring Mainline Protestant Christianity and Swifties. In the first part, I explored the positives that Mainline Protestant Christianity can learn from Swifties at the Eras Tour. In this part, I will take a more critical look at the ways in which both the Taylor Swift fandom and Mainline Protestant Christianity silence and alienate Black and brown people and how both can be better.
Introduction
For the most part, I had a fantastic time hanging out with other Swifties at the local events that popped up in the lead-up to the Eras Tour and also at the Eras tour itself. I also enjoyed most of the online interactions and posts I have seen. However, the Swiftie fandom, at least in the US, cannot escape some of the larger issues that plague American culture: such as racism and white privilege. In a similar vein, I do love the Mainline Protestant Church in the US, I have learned so much from the different denominations and churches I have attended. However, Mainline Protestant Christianity is not immune to replicating some of the societal injustices and harms that are commonplace in dominant US society.
The perception, at least in the US, is that most Taylor Swift fans are white women and girls. And in Cincy night two, the majority of the attendees were white girls and women. I do not have demographic data for Taylor Swift fans in the US, much less around the world. (There is one study that shows 53% of US citizens identify as Taylor Swift fans, and %16 percent identify as self-described Swifties, and within the self-described avid fans group- 74% identify as white).
But regardless of the demographics, Black and brown Swifties do exist. Most of the time, I personally do not think about the racial demographics of my fellow Swifties. I am just having a good time listening to Taylor’s music. But at least in the US, Swifties are not immune from the larger racist culture of the US.
In a similar way, many Protestant Mainline denominations in the US are predominantly white. But Black and brown participants do exist. And even the most progressive predominantly white Mainline denominations are not immune from the larger culture of US racism. (Outside the US, the story is a bit different, as countries in Asia and Africa are seeing widespread growth of Christianity, and Christians in the global south will soon outnumber Christians in the west, if they have not already)
Why does this matter?
Some people reading this may ask, “Naiomi, why are you talking about race and ethnicity, especially in regards to Taylor Swift. Who cares. Just enjoy the music?”
I wish I could. But in the US, it is impossible to separate the larger culture of racism and injustice from popular culture. Eventually, the reality of racism within the Swiftie community becomes apparent.
The same is true, in the predominantly white Mainline churches in the US. Even amongst denominations that put out beautiful anti-racism statements or who have a Black presiding Bishop (cough cough) or who have other Black and brown people in leadership. Racism and white supremacy are so ingrained within US culture, that it requires thoughtful and intentional actions to disentangle oneself.
Below are some of my suggestions for both white Swifties and white Mainline Protestant congregations on how to be aware of the ways in which white supremacy operates in their spheres and how they can improve.
Don’t downplay the reality of racism-
In the Swiftie fandom in the US, downplaying the reality of racism can look like making statements such as, “I just want to listen to Taylor Swift, why does race need to be mentioned?” These comments are often said in response to Black and brown Swifties who bring up issues such as how the fandom often resorts to racist language to criticize Black artists who have insulted or are perceived to have insulted Taylor Swift Or when Taylor Swift is criticized for her performative and short-lived political activism, the immediate response by white Swifties is to get defensive and dismiss the feedback without much thought.
In Mainline Protestant congregations, downplaying the reality of racism can look like shutting down criticisms from Black and brown members who point out that despite statements supporting Black Lives Matters the congregation continues to center whiteness-as seen in the congregation’s worship style, who is invited to what events and why, and who is in leadership position.
What both Swifties and White Mainline Protestant congregations can do is recognize the reality that because racism is prevalent in every part of US society, their beloved fandom or institution is no exception. Instead of getting defensive, both can instead respond with a measure of openness and a willingness to engage in these tough conversations. It hurts when something you love so much has caused harm, but the answer is to try and improve, not pretend everything is ok.
2) Recognize how the inability to take criticism reinforces white supremacy
I consider myself a Swiftie. I love Taylor’s music. And I recognize she is not perfect. To be sure, being in the public eye can leave one open to all sorts of unfair criticism regarding how one looks, where one goes on vacation, etc. But the reality is, as an imperfect human being, like all of us, Taylor Swift has made decisions that have caused harm to others. And whether those decisions were intentional or not, the impact was still negative. And as such, it is ok for people to bring that up.
For example, Black and brown Swifties who called into question Taylor’s relationship with Matt Healy were often ridiculed. Comments such as, “Taylor can date who she wants, who cares” were made in an attempt to shut down conversation.
And technically the statement is correct. Taylor is an adult woman and she can decide who she associates with. And fans are also allowed to say, “we do not want to support someone who is ok with associating with someone who has made racist comments.” The idea that fans “forced” Taylor Swift to break up with Matt Healy insults both Taylor’s intelligence and autonomy and villainizes Black and brown people who openly expressed their frustration with Taylor associating with someone who has made racist comments. No one forced Taylor to break up with anyone. She made a decision that was best for her personal and professional career.
In the white Mainline church in the US, there is also this inability to take criticism. Many predominantly white Mainline congregations, especially in light of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests have held book clubs, workshops, and even done some DEI training. These are fine first steps. But that’s just what they are: first steps.
Yet when Black and brown people have pointed out that these initial steps are good but more needs to be done, the response has often been, “We are trying our best. Change doesn’t occur overnight.” First, it’s been over 50 years since the “Classic Civil Rights movement” and over 150 years since the 13th Amendment was passed. Not sure how much more time predominantly white Mainline churches need.
In addition, the steps these mainline churches took after 2020 were minimal and superficial. And 3 years after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests that erupted throughout the US, it is hard to see if any meaningful changes occurred. It seems as if most churches have gone back to embracing the status quo. Churches that take seriously the call to be anti-racist need to examine every single facet of their congregational life, not just have a book club every once in a while.
3) Reject the myth of white innocence
The idea that Taylor Swift is beyond criticism is a continuation of the white woman myth that infantilizes white women and that renders white women incapable of being held responsible for their actions and decisions. This idea is then weaponized against Black and brown people, who are often denied that same innocence, (even when they are literal children).
I saw another manifestation of the idea of white women’s innocence in the ways in which law enforcement interacted with the adherents of attendees at the eras concert-which were predominantly white women and girls. I am sure part of the lax security could be attributed to the number of fans-60,000 people within the stadium and thousands more outside of it, is a logistical nightmare. But at the same time, I couldn’t help wondering: if the demographics of the concert were different, would stadium security and law enforcement take such a blasé attitude? Some of the laxness was relatively minor: clear bags being allowed in that were technically against stadium policy.
Others were a bit more concerning: when the gates were opened towards the end of the night to allow for those inside the concert to leave, thousands of Swifties who did not have tickets, entered the gates and went to the plaza. Now some who did this claimed security waved them through, others say, fans just entered. But even if they weren’t given explicit permission by security, being allowed to do so by security without being stopped, is a form of permission.
This swarm of fans made leaving the stadium an even bigger headache than it already was and again, while nothing bad happened, I can’t help but wonder if the demographics were different would the perception of threat be different as well?
Someone else, admitted in a public group that her teenage daughter and friend, walked around the stadium, found a door without a security guard, knocked on it, and a fan let them into the stadium. Some members of the group were annoyed because the teenage daughter and her friend did not pay for tickets. To me that did not matter.
However, this action demonstrates a serious lapse in security that could be exploited. And again, if the demographics of the attendees had been different, would security have taken such a lax stand and would a fan be ok with letting someone they do not know, who did not pass through security, into the stadium? Or was the person not deemed a threat because they were a young, white teenage girl?
Additionally, the facebook pages of various police departments that have helped provide security concerts have been interesting. The majority have posted photos showing police officers trading friendship bracelets, and hanging out and having fun at the concert. There’s nothing wrong or immoral with that, but again, knowing the ways in which law enforcement has treated predominantly Black and brown peaceful events in the last few years, has me questioning the implicit bias and racism behind these interactions.
Similarly, the inability to handle criticism is tied to the ways in which predominantly white Mainline churches also hold onto the myth of white innocence, though in this case, the myth is not gendered. They argue that they are “trying their best,” that current members, many of whom are older, “do not know they are being racist” or “do not understand how institutional racism is still prevalent.” Again, the members are infantilized and treated as children.
Moreover, the relationship between some white Mainline Protestant congregations and law enforcement also demonstrates how many churches' commitment to racial justice is surface level. I am not saying white Mainline congregations shouldn’t have relationships with law enforcement, but I am saying they should think about how the closeness to law enforcement is aided by whiteness and the perception that whiteness needs to be protected from outside threats.
I need white Mainline congregations to ask themselves 1) would law enforcement in this area offer the same level of protection and willingness to work together with congregations of different racial and ethnic makeup? and 2) what are they doing to ensure that marginalized communities feel welcomed in the congregation despite the presence of law enforcement? Or do they not care?
Conclusion:
There is so much to love and cherish within both the Swiftie fandom and Mainline Protestant Christianity. This post does not negate all the good in both communities. It simply suggests that there are ways in which both communities can and should do and be better.
Image: Purple background. Text: Both the Swiftie fandom and Mainline Protestant Christianity cannot escape some of the larger issues that plague American culture: such as racism and white privilege.
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