‘Flashback To The Fascist Blondes’: Feminist Camille Paglia Calls Taylor Swift ‘Nazi Barbie,’ Claims Her Girl Squad Promotes Elitism

Camille Paglia, a cultural critic and well-known feminist, says that Taylor Swift is a “Nazi Barbie,” and she is “regressing” women by using her girl squad as a prop that “promotes elitism.” Paglia is particularly harsh on Swift and says it was difficult to write about the songstress as it was a “scary flashback to the fascist blondes who ruled the social scene” during her youth.

Feminist writer Camille Paglia penned an open letter about the “girl squad” culture in the Hollywood Reporter in which she called Taylor Swift a “Nazi Barbie.” Paglia lambasted Swift, saying that she is using her girl squad friends as props and says that the group promotes elitism. Paglia seems to imply that there is no real bonding and friendship between Swift and her squad members, but rather, the star is using her squad as a prop to expand her career. Paglia bashes the group for “regressing” women by posing in “silly” photos together.

“In our wide-open modern era of independent careers, girl squads can help women advance if they avoid presenting a silly, regressive public image — as in the tittering, tongues-out mugging of Swift’s bear-hugging posse.”

The feminist writer says that if a woman wants a “girl squad,” it should be about building up their peers through mentoring and shared interests, not by using the squad to create a particular image.

“Girl squads ought to be about mentoring, exchanging advice and experience and launching exciting and innovative joint projects.”

However, the harsh criticisms of Taylor Swift did not end by denouncing her girl squad as an unhealthy friendship, and she goes on to say that Swift is a “Nazi Barbie” and claims that the fact that Swift is blonde with a “twinkling persona” made the issue difficult for her to write about. Paglia claims that Swift is a “flashback” to her youth when “fascist blondes ruled the social scene.”

“Writing about Taylor Swift is a horrific ordeal for me because her twinkly persona is such a scary flashback to the fascist blondes who ruled the social scene during my youth.”

It is unclear why Paglia is calling Swift “fascist” or if the blonde hair and bubbly personality simply reminded her of her youth when fascism was on the rise. Regardless of her intent, it is clear that Paglia is not a fan of Taylor Swift or her “girl squad.”

In fact, Paglia even touched on a dark moment for Swift by bringing up the infamous paparazzi photo of a distraught Swift sitting properly on a Virgin Islands taxi boat following her breakup with Harry Styles. She notes that if a woman feels alone, it is her own fault, not the fault of an oppressive man. Instead, she says the loneliness results from the lack of real bonds between women.

“Women have lost the natural solidarity and companionship they enjoyed for thousands of years in the preindustrial agrarian world, where multiple generations chatted through the day as they shared chores, cooking and child care.”

With women now no longer required to stay at home doing chores and taking care of children, Camille says that women should look to men as to how to have an effective relationship with members of the same sex. The feminist says that men have had “immensely productive” relationships with one another throughout history and that it should be studied by women. She notes that men’s relationships with one another revolve around “result-oriented teamwork,” and women should take note. She says this result driven friendship idea helps men avoid “turf wars,” jealousy, and the “emotionalism” that many women face in female relationships.

“Women need to study the immensely productive dynamic of male bonding in history. With their results-oriented teamwork, men largely have escaped the sexual jealousy, emotionalism and spiteful turf wars that sometimes dog women.”

What do you think of feminist Camille Paglia’s statements about Taylor Swift? Do you think she took it too far by claiming that she knows what type of friendship Taylor has with her “girl squad” behind-the-scenes? Or do you agree that “girl squads” as they are presented today are regressing women?

[Image via AP]