#blkgrlmgclwyr – blog

🧿🧿 (my intentions are good)

America is on the brink of extinction; a star of pop or reality could deliver the fatal blow – a lawyer warns.  I took an International Baccalaureate course on totalitarian regimes in high school.  We studied the world’s scariest: Mao, Stalin, and the devil we call Hitler.  I recall the Gang of Four, Mao’s chosen propaganda enforcers.  1+1 made 3, if they said so.  In their 1988 hit, underrated black rock group (Living Colour) explains that a cult of personality arises when a public figure is represented as larger-than-life through mass media, uncritical praise, and flattery.  This phenomenon does not necessitate totalitarianism.  The band names Gandhi as a less conventional example.  Donald Trump and Taylor Swift are opposite sides of the coin that is the American cult of personality because they: 1) benefit from mass mainstream media coverage, 2) overlap in fan base membership, and 3) use silence as an endorsement of their fan bases’ violence.  This notion may be uncomfortable.  Let’s dance with it together!

Art by Latrice Burks-Palmerio, Esq.

Taylor, Trump, Tired!

America is obsessed with Trump and Swift.  The men of late night center their monologues around the latest details regarding Trump’s legal woes, buttering up his inevitable appeals.  People Magazine perceives Swift and her relationship with Johnny football hero as a fruitful subject matter.  Jimmy Fallon called Taylor Swift one of the most powerful people in our nation.  Mass media coverage of Trump and Swift triggers public exhaustion.  Social media posts about Swift’s outfits, outings with Kelce, and mundane details reek of subscribers’ comments such as, “Do we need to know every detail?”  No.  With respect to Trump, one may barely recall that brief moment of peace we collectively experienced when Biden first assumed office.  It was not too long before we picked back up our “bad Trump habit.”  America has a problem.

#MAGASwifties 

MAGA Republicans and Switifties both believe their heroes are immune from criticism  and share a comfortableness with violence.  They are brutal.  For some Swifties, I am public enemy number one for declaring that calling the cis, straight, white pop star ‘mother’ is cultural appropriation.  I stand by this, with Pride 🌈.  Swifties mocked my hair color, mocked my marriage, and called me a racial slur.  I have receipts. 

The unflattering truth requires us to look into a black mirror where we will see that MAGA Republicans and Swifties overlap in a distasteful membership group: white supremacists.  Trump is MAGA Messiah; Swift is MAGA Madonna.  I prefer Ciccone.

Silent Endorsement of Violence

The January 6 attack on the Capitol was fueled by Trump’s endorsement of violence.  A prudent president would have instructed an end to the violence within seconds of learning of it.  Trump was not prudent, and he has blood on his hands as a result.  

Over the years, Swifties have pushed the envelope as to the lengths they will go for the pop star.  Critics are self-censoring and choosing to report anonymously in fear of death threats and harassment.  They do not want the “Swiftie’s smoke.”  Swift’s silence constitutes a softcore endorsement of her fanbase’s violent behavior, and could result in legal exposure or worse: blood on her hands. After all, a threat remains just that until it is acted on.

Conclusion

In law school, we learn that it is difficult for a public figure to prevail on a defamation claim because criticism comes with the territory of being famous.  How does it feel to be adored?  Sometimes, awful.  Swift and Trump both put restrictions on who can comment on their social media posts.  Only fans.  “Like Mussolini and Kennedy…” Trump and Swift are the cult of personality.  Swift echoes Kennedy; Trump echoes Mussolini.  Still, 1+1 is inherently 2, and violence in the name of Trump or Swift is reprehensible. Period. Such violence cancerously eats away at the American fabric. 

Our nation’s survival will require two things: (1) acceptance of the results of a free/fair 2024 presidential election, and (2) a pledge from public figures to be more responsible with their fan bases and platforms.  MAGA Republicans prematurely name Trump ’47.’  This is not typical political sportsmanship; this is a message of intent – we should listen.  Swift has an opportunity to remind her fanbase to be peaceful in light of reasonable critique.  Swift owes the public a duty to encourage her base to end their relentless doxxing and harassment campaigns.  Public figures like Swift must learn the distinction between critique and hate.  Alas, Trump and Swift are the two most dangerous blondes in America who also hold the power to defuse the bomb that is the current American climate.

Written by Latrice Burks-Palmerio, Esq. (AKA #blkgrlmgclwyr) 🧿

Author’s Bio

Latrice Burks-Palmerio, Esq. (AKA #blkgrlmgclwyr) is a Los Angeles based impact litigator, activist, and author. She offers legal consulting services to black women experiencing workplace discrimination. Latrice also offers Intellectual Property consultations to black women entrepreneurs. For black women seeking #exodus, Latrice offers immigration law services, as well.

This role serves Latrice’s greater purpose because she is a champion for equality of all types. That said, she cares deeply for black women, as they are her community.

#blkgrlmgclwyr

IG: @tricie93

Click HERE to book a consultation with #blkgrlmgclwyr: