Taylor Swift: An Icon of Autistic Culture and Representation
*This episode was HIGHLY requested by Autistic Swiftie listeners and their contributions are incorporated throughout. Much like how Cher is a Queer culture icon—regardless of her own sexual orientation—we are celebrating Swift as an Autistic culture icon—regardless of her own neurotype. This is a celebration of the ways we see our fabulous culture represented in the once-in-a-generation, Taylor Swift.
Hosts, Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry LPP discuss the many ways that Taylor Swift and her fanbase of “Swifties” represent Autistic Culture.
They discuss Swift's traits that resonate with the autistic community:
Encyclopedic knowledge about cats
Using music as a means for finding purpose, community, and career success
Creating and solving puzzles, riddles, and "Easter eggs" in her work
The hosts analyze Swift's lyrics and interviews, noting her accurate descriptions of feeling like an outsider and masking to fit in, which align with common autistic experiences.
They explore the intersection of capitalism, privilege, and disability in Swift's career and public persona.
The podcast highlights the relationship between justice sensitivity and expectation sensitivity, both common traits in the autistic community.
Swift's family tree is examined for potential autistic traits, emphasizing the genetic component of neurodiversity.
The hosts celebrate Swift as a representation of Autistic culture in mainstream media, viewing her success as a positive reflection on the autistic community.
They discuss how Swift's music, particularly "Shake It Off," resonates as a cultural anthem for many autistic individuals.
Overall, the episode frames Swift's popularity as an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness about Autistic culture in a positive, affirming light.
“Listen, Taylor is the biggest star in the universe right now, and she represents Autistic Culture. And as the (Autistic) PR department, if we are not waving the flag: ‘The biggest star in the world is from Autistica!’…We have to. We have to celebrate this. There is so much to celebrate.” —Angela
“Taylor's response to that was, ‘Well I am weird, and the cat jokes will stay!’” —Angela
“It's very very very difficult, especially for celebrities, to come out because of the connotation of what it might mean to be autistic, because there might be some person somewhere saying, ‘You can't be autistic! You're nothing like my five-year-old boy!’” —Matt
“That is why she wrote Shake It Off. That is the song of our people! That is a cultural hymn!” —Angela
Are you an autistic Swifty? Tell us all about it in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!
Shout Outs:
Two Swifty listeners made this episode possible:
Show notes and resources:
(See listener-provided images at the bottom of this post)
Article: Taylor Swift is related to famed American poet Emily Dickinson, Ancestry reveals
Article: Ancestry reveals Taylor Swift is related to American poet Emily Dickinson
Quora: Could Taylor Swift have Asperger's syndrome?
Article: 40+ of Taylor Swift's Most Brilliant Easter Eggs, Decoded
YouTube: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Taylor Swift's Easter Eggs
Video: Taylor Swift listing cat breeds on Fallon
Video: Interviews of Taylor Swift describing masking
Video: The number "13" video
Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:
Episode 03: Poetry is Autistic (The Emily Dickinson episode)
Episode 09: Fairy Tales are Autistic
Episode 21: Dino Nuggets are Autistic
Episode 58: The Good Place is Autistic
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