Can Fandoms Save Democracy? An Interview with the Organizers Behind Swifties for Kamala

What’s it about Taylor Swift’s fandom that you simply assume lends itself to political organizing?

Medrano: The consolation in our Swiftie traditions has made organizing a lot enjoyable and likewise accessible to people who find themselves new to politics and voting. That is my first time volunteering for a political trigger and I really feel so protected with Swifties. Within the firm of Swifties, there may be by no means an excessive amount of glitter or ardour. We love what we love loudly, and that pleasure interprets over to politics within the nicest approach. Swifties additionally know it’s by no means too late to be brand-new at one thing. Many individuals in S4K are going out and registering to vote for the primary time, or canvassing for the primary time, or watching a debate for the primary time, which is so thrilling and precisely what is required on this election; new, younger, and fearlessly contemporary voices who usually are not afraid to talk now, even when their voice shakes.

Lengthy: Swifties have at all times been a power to be reckoned with. The neighborhood we’ve constructed on-line and in particular person is powerful and runs deep. I’ve seen Swifties rally not solely behind Taylor, however behind one another by elevating each cash and consciousness earlier than. So, we’ve got the willingness and basis for organizing ingrained in our fandom already.

What points are most necessary to you within the upcoming election?

Medrano: People’ means to afford their day-to-day lives is one thing I actually care about on this election. I’m 22 and I’m coming into the adulting, payments, and groceries period of my life. Kamala Harris’s financial coverage makes me really feel so looking forward to a future the place I and different People can stay a financially secure life, whereas the opposite candidate will solely profit wealthy folks and companies and would implement insurance policies that may create misery and hardship for a lot of middle-class and low-earning People. I’m additionally a trans and queer American, so residing in Texas underneath Harris’s presidency can be a a lot safer (and happier) place for me. She actually cares in regards to the LGBTQ neighborhood, and I consider she is going to make it possible for our rights are protected and never taken away.

Lengthy: To me, defending the rights of all People is a very powerful challenge on the poll this yr. We should shield girls, folks of coloration, and LGBTQ+ folks on this county. Trump has prided himself on his overturn of Roe v. Wade, and spewed racist, homophobic, and transphobic rhetoric. We can’t permit him again in energy, for the security of so many people.