Just... Shut Up, Taylor Swift

So I'm flipping through the Yahoo.com headlines and see that Taylor Swift has declared she is "straight up enemies" with an another female artist (speculation identifying that artist as Katy Perry).

 

Straight up enemies.

 

 

*pause*

 

 

Excuse me, what?

 

Did she just… oh honey, no. Let me explain something to you. The Roman Empire and Hannibal? Enemies. Lions and Zebras? Enemies. Nazis and, well, pretty much everybody? Enemies. You and Katy Perry? Just, shut up, Taylor Swift.

 

On this day in particular, reading those words irks me. Angers me. Enrages me. Today is September 11^th. Do you seriously mean to tell me that you are going to make such an asinine, idiotic, nonsensical statement so close to this day, let alone ever? I, wow.

 

On this day in 2001 our ENEMIES hijacked the sanctity of our freedom by commandeering our aircraft and flying them into our landmarks. Though admittedly one such effort was thwarted, that effort nonetheless cost innocent, American lives. Our sense of freedom and safety was shattered. Lives were ruined. Not one single American life was left unaltered by the events of that day. Even all these years later, we remember. We mourn. We relive the horror, we shed the tears, and we still wonder why someone would hate our people so completely as to engage in that kind of cowardly, terrorist act. But by all means compare yourself and another pop singer to being enemies.

 

You know, two pop singers. With multi-million dollar careers. Platinum records. Covers of Rolling Stone magazine. Wanting for nothing, and neither of your actions having the least bit of effect on the other's life or career.

 

What, pray tell, was the consequence of her "enemy's" actions? According to her interview in the aforementioned Rolling Stone, "…now I have to avoid her. It's awkward and I don't like it."

 

Awkwardness, an enemy makes.

 

 

*pausing to let that sink in*

 

 

Her "enemy" caused things to be "awkward."

 

*smacking head*

 

You know what's awkward? The "walk of shame" the morning after a one-night stand. Farting in church. Riding in an elevator with someone you know but whose name you've forgotten. Not knowing whether or not to move in for a kiss on that first date. THOSE things are awkward.

 

You're a grown adult. You're a professional performer. Get. Over. It. Deal with it, and move on.

 

But whatever you do, do NOT claim this woman with whom you're having a professional tiff to be your enemy. Especially not now. Not when my county is remembering its fallen. Not when my friends and family are forced to relive the events of a day that, like the attack on Pearl Harbor, will truly live in infamy. Not when we see the hauntingly horrific images on our TV screens, tearing open wounds that have yet to heal. Do not speak such empty, hollow and childish words when we gather as a nation in remembrance of those affected by a true enemy, and how that enemy tried to tear apart the very fabric of our nation.

 

Help make this go viral, share this link, and help me say... Just shut up, Taylor Swift.
 

 

 

© 2014 J.J. Goodman. All rights reserved.