Taylor Swift called for the removal of "racist" statues in her hometown Tennessee, Friday, June 12.
Taylor Swift on Tennessee's "Despicable Figures"
"Miss Americana" herself took to Twitter to slam "racist historical figures" in Tennessee. Taylor Swift pointed out monuments for lawyer Edward Carmack and confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest. Swift called them "despicable figures in our state history and should be treated as such."
As a Tennessean, it makes me sick that there are monuments standing in our state that celebrate racist historical figures who did evil things. Edward Carmack and Nathan Bedford Forrest were DESPICABLE figures in our state history and should be treated as such. — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 12, 2020
She then shared that the state government plans to replace it. Taylor wrote that efforts to preserve the monuments are a waste of funds and the opportunity to "do the right thing." Taylor Swift also explained who Edward Carmack is to her 86M followers. In her tweet, she said Carmack is a "white supremacist newspaper editor who published pro-lynching editorials."
In his newspaper, Carmack's editorials regularly attacked his rivals. He once had a dialogue with African-American journalist Ida B. Wells. Wells was later known as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." Carmack wrote viciously against Wells. His demand for retaliation resulted in the burning of Wells' newspaper office.
Swift added that Wells deserve "a hero's statue for her pioneering work in journalism and civil rights."
She then tweeted on the Nathan Bedford Forrest Equestrian Statue. She called the 25-feet tall sculpture a "monstrosity." Her tweet also included a link about the Bedford Forrest monument.
The "Bad Blood" singer noted that the general was also a slave trader. Bedford Forrest was also known as the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
Then we get to this monstrosity. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a brutal slave trader and the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan who, during the Civil War, massacred dozens of black Union soldiers in Memphis. https://t.co/n2DiEt9F3P — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 12, 2020
Swift noted how recent events made Tennessee overrule the attempts to restore the monuments. "Tennesseans might no longer have to stomach it. Fingers crossed," Taylor Swift wrote.
Apparently, Swift also asked both the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Capitol Commission to consider the implications. She argued that the government's attempt to defend the monuments continue the "cycle of hurt." Swift added that though history couldn't be changed, the cycle can be.
Fighting Against Police Brutality and Racism of Any Kind
Before the death of George Floyd, T-Swift has remained mostly apolitical. Her Netflix film "Miss Americana" recounted her "nice girl" image. She said in the docu-film that a nice girl doesn't make people feel uncomfortable with her views. It also featured her interview with David Letterman. In the interview, Swift said that while it's her right to vote, it's not her right to tell other people what to do.
Last May 29, she fiercely responded to President Donald Trump's now-hidden tweet. It was after the protests escalated to violence and shooting. Trump wrote on Twitter and seemed to hint at allowing the military to open fire on the looters. "We will vote you out in November," Swift wrote in her most popular tweet to date.
READ MORE: Growing Response to George Floyd's Death: Taylor Swift, Eminem, T.I., Bon Iver
Swift also joined the number of celebrities urging people to go out and vote. She noted that racial injustice is ingrained deeply into the government. For policies to change, Taylor said that the people have to elect officials "who will fight against police brutality and racism of any kind."
