TIME 2017's Person of the Year featured the faces of 5 women, one including Taylor Swift and a lot of people had some words about it. Some people believe that she has no right to be called a "Silence Breaker," but why?
While posing together for a picture in 2013, former DJ David Mueller groped Taylor Swift at a backstage meet and greet. Mueller was ultimately fired from his job and in return, sued Swift for $3 million. Swift testified in front of a full courtroom this past August and ultimately won the symbolic $1 that she countersued for.
Taylor Swift spoke out about a lot of things people have experienced: sexual assault. Her court case brought more attention to the subject and is a great part of the reason why a lot of victims came forward.
This isn't a contest of who was victimized more.
No matter who you think should've been on the cover instead of Taylor Swift, she earned and rightfully deserves her spot on the front for the world to see.
Taylor Swift's voice is just as important as someone else's.
If you find the need to sit back and pick at the women on this cover, you're part of the problem.
Assault is assault. So whether you're her biggest fan or you can't even stand to hear her name, she was sexually assaulted. She testified in court and did not let the man who sexually assaulted her get away with what he did. She could've stayed quiet about this assault and let David Mueller get away with what he did and moved on with her life, but she courageously stood up against her groper with a bad ass testimony.
She deserves to be on the cover of TIME magazine just as much as everyone else, no matter how big or small her sexual assault was. You have no right to shame her assault or question the legitimacy.