By Emily Garcia
Netflix released a new teen drama on February 24, “Ginny and Georgia,” which has already sparked controversy. The show follows a single mom, Georgia (Brianne Howey) and her 15-year old daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) on their journey creating a new life for themselves in Massachusetts. Having to constantly move, they finally settle down in Massachusetts.
Taylor Swift delivered some harsh criticism which sparked much online discussion when Ginny said, “You go through men faster than Taylor Swift” responding to her mother Georgia’s question about her recent relationship.
Swift claimed on Twitter that the joke was not only not funny, but also “deeply sexist.”
“Hey Ginny & Georgia, 2010 called and wants its lazy, deeply sexist joke back. How about we stop degrading hard working women by defining this …as FuNnY. Also, @netflix after Miss Americana this outfit doesn’t look cute on you. Happy women’s History Month I guess,,” Swift Tweeted.
While some viewers claim Swift’s response was dramatic, others agree with her claims. The phrase “respect Taylor Swift” was trending on Twitter after Swift’s response. Some even called for a boycott of the series.
Although Netflix has not directly responded to Swift’s remarks, the actors have commented on their experiences during the shoot, as well as how they felt about their characters.
“I never would have imagined something like this as a young girl — that is, having a voice capable of impact. It is so meaningful to see the hundreds of messages from fans in my inbox who feel seen, heard and understood because of the show and its characters,” Gentry said.
Some see the remark as merely flippant, and meant to be funny rather than to harm or make a comment about women. They see the response to this comment as not proportionate to the actual comment. They feel that more attention should be paid to more blatant racist, homophobic, and sexist remarks, that we should work on keeping those kinds of writers accountable.
Others point to contrasts between how Swift is treated for discussing her love life in music contrasted to male artists. Many are looking to this seemingly innocent comment as an example of the double standard illustrated by women like Swift being shamed for doing something men are celebrated for.
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