Taylor Swift just taught a master class on a subject no one should ever have to learn: how to respond to sexual assault. The superstar spent much of the past week in a Denver court as part of her countersuit against former radio host David Mueller.
At a meet-and-greet event in 2013, Mueller reached up Swift’s skirt and groped her during a photo op. When Swift came forward, Mueller lost his job.
Rather than accept the consequences of committing sexual assault, Mueller decided to sue Swift, her mother, Andrea, and a radio promotions staffer for $3 million in damages. Mueller – like all misogynists – underestimated what his victim was capable of.
In a strategic move, Swift countersued Mueller for one dollar. She was not required to go to court and re-live the distressing incident in the public eye, nor was the star looking to make money from the case. This was about proving a point: groping is wrong, it can happen to anyone, and the victim is never at fault.
Mueller’s attorney, Gabe MacFarland, lobbed every possible victim-blaming question at the pop star. Swift had total command of the facts, and wasted no time before exposing MacFarland’s false premises. While MacFarland and Mueller thought they could intimidate Swift, they quickly learned that she was their worst “nightmare, dressed like a daydream.”
He asked if she had feelings about Mueller losing his job, as if the firing was her fault. Swift replied, “I’m not going to let you or your client make me feel in any way that this is my fault. Here we are years later, and I’m being blamed for the unfortunate events of his life that are the product of his decisions—not mine.”
MacFarland asked why the front of her skirt appeared normal in the photo with Mueller. Swift shot back, “Because my ass is located in the back of my body.”
He asked Swift if she criticized her bodyguard for not stopping the incident – a question that goes beyond blaming the victim and instead blames a bystander! Undeterred, Swift kept the criticism entirely on the perpetrator: “I’m critical of your client sticking his hand under my skirt and grabbing my ass,” she responded.
Underneath the sharp, smart responses to condescending questions is a woman who was victimized at the hands of a man who thought he could get away with groping. The emotional toll showed through when Swift cried during closing arguments.
This isn’t the Taylor Swift the world is used to seeing. She’s fierce on stage with a commanding presence. Even in the ups-and-downs of her dating life, which she often sings about, she owns her choices and always seems in control. Her “squad goals” brand of female empowerment has projected the same image, while also attracting its fair share of detractors, who claim that her feminism is simply a guise for self-aggrandizing publicity.
By counter-suing and testifying against Mueller, Swift sacrificed her time and money – and put herself through considerable public, emotional vulnerability and distress – to reach some level of justice. Despite the naysayers, her feminism, like her testimony, is solid to the core.
