Art is inherently political. It exists within the context in which it was created, and choosing not to consider that context changes its meaning, for better or for worse. So, naturally, the internet exploded when Chapel Lawn made several statements expressing political views that align with the themes explored in her music.
In an interview with the Guardian, Chappell-Lone said he felt no pressure to support any candidate for the 2024 presidential election, explaining: I encourage people to use your critical thinking skills and use your vote. Cast your small vote and vote for what’s happening in your city. ” She followed up on TikTok, clarifying that she would not vote for Trump, but “always question those in power and those who make decisions over others.”
Roane’s comments drew both criticism and support. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on the Bulwark Podcast that he “fully supports the people doing the investigation,” while stressing the “very clear choice” between the two candidates. Musician Ethel Caine posted on Tumblr that “even the slightest criticism of Kamala, a public servant expected to be elected president of our country as a progressive option, is immediately taken as unwavering support for Trump.” The fact that… it couldn’t possibly be that stupid in real life.” And SNL has made Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus that has gone viral on social media, as a way to depict how people literally treat Lorne like a zoo animal. aired a skit performed by comedian Bowen Yang.
Many of the social media reactions show Roan refusing to engage with what he actually said. Any attempt to paint Chapel Lawn’s original statement as somehow supporting Trump is disingenuous at best and malicious at worst. Roan’s art centers her identity as a lesbian woman, and her persona draws inspiration from drag pioneered by transgender people. She’s not going to vote for Trump — or so she says. She is not equating the two sides in her statement, only acknowledging that both have their flaws. The backlash to her comments also seems to indicate an unwillingness to engage in nuanced politics. No matter which side is the better choice, it is not immune to criticism. Politicians should not be immune to criticism. They are public servants and partly rely on criticism for feedback. Politicians should be held accountable. Roan is simply exercising his right as a citizen to participate in politics by voicing his opinion, even if it means criticizing Harris.
Her statements are also consistent with her past actions, where she declined an invitation to perform at a White House Pride event for the following reasons: “We want liberty, justice and liberty for all, and then we will go when the time comes.” She also had planned to read Palestinian poetry there, but a spokeswoman said He also revealed that he was advised to quit. Roan’s opinion is not new, nor is it just a trend. Why is there a backlash now?
I think part of the reason people refuse to consider her statements with nuance is the fact that Roan is a celebrity. And celebrity culture feeds off the ownership and dehumanization of celebrities. Denying Roan the ability to exist politically or refusing to actually engage with what she says diminishes her ability as a human being. It strips her art and actions of herself and the meaning she intended. Loans and celebrities are assigned a status that is not at all human. People are already stalking and harassing Roan and his family. People feel entitled to the life of a celebrity. I also think this culture of chronically staying online has fostered an obsession with everything celebrities say and do, placing too much weight on what they say. It’s okay to log off from Twitter.
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In fact, when Roan posted a TikTok in response to the harassment she received, she received backlash. When Roan dares to act like a human, he receives backlash.
Why do people feel so entitled to celebrities? Celebrity culture is a culture of ownership. When someone becomes famous, they are no longer fully human or have their own life. As seen in Roan’s case, it unfolds as an extreme reaction to celebrities being human and acting in very human ways.
Denying artists the right to have political opinions and for art to exist within a political context directly contributes to the dehumanization of celebrities. After all, celebrities are just people. They are flawed. They are allowed to have their own political opinions and can share them in exactly the same way as the average person.
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Pen Fang is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. The locations you can access are: [email protected].