A Double Standard

If ever I’m feeling those old self-esteem issues rise again, I read celebrity gossip stories on Buzzfeed or the list of trending topics on Facebook. They give me a sense of superiority, but not over the musician/singer/actor who has the misfortune to be their subject; I feel superior over the people who fuel and participate in the general persecution and harassment the articles represent. I refer of course to the swarm of flies that are currently buzzing around Taylor Swift.

My life isn’t invested in these stories. I know the truth of them is so far removed from the gossip rags and online articles that there’s no point in drawing a conclusion or opinion. As far as I know, Taylor Swift is being lambasted for being in a relationship with Tom Hiddleston, and the frankly vicious attacks on her crossed over to bullying a long time ago. Is that really her crime? She has the temerity to date who is apparently a British national treasure and a darling of the Marvel universe? People take issue with how many men she’s apparently dated, a double standard that has affected women throughout history. Recently, I’ve been reading about the Tudor period and the drama of Henry VIII and his six wives, and there the double standard is. Men may have as many mistresses as they wish but God help any wife who dared to have an affair.

Of course, the punishment for female infidelity was much worse back then. At the very least we can say that women these days aren’t beheaded for cheating on their husbands, though that was a fate unique to royalty. However, the accusations of being two-faced, fake, and diabolically passive aggressive aren’t ones often aimed at men. From the many online comments I’ve read, most of Taylor Swift’s critics pity Tom Hiddleston as a fool; the kinder ones say that he’s demonstrated poor judgement in his choice of partner. Poor, silly man. Vicious, manipulative woman.

I can’t understand the fuss and judgement; first of all, there are more important issues to be upset about in this world; second of all, they’ve done nothing wrong. I quite like Taylor Swift’s music. I like the image of her as a slightly awkward champion of slightly awkward social outcasts, whether it is genuine or manufactured matters little to me. Does she date a lot? If so, why is that such a heinous crime? She writes songs about her past and present relationships; name any artist, male or female, who hasn’t done that. I suppose all of this boils down to me being on Taylor’s side, at least against the bile and vitriol that’s been thrown her way over the past few weeks. How her and Tom Hiddleston’s relationship will survive all of this I do not know, but I won’t judge it harshly just for existing in the first place.

If the press do hound them into breaking up, because I can’t imagine that it’s easy to ignore for either of them, everyone will just see it as a confirmation of all their negative opinions. Personally, I hope they stay together and live happily ever after, if just to spite all of their critics.