Friday November 15, 2024
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 15, 2024
Swifties vs. Dread
As Canadians sit with a creeping sense of dread over Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the gloom is momentarily interrupted by an unlikely hero — none other than Taylor Swift. For six nights, Toronto is transformed into the epicentre of joy, glitter, and unity, as Swift’s Eras Tour rolls through, captivating fans and bringing a respite from the headlines that otherwise feel impossible to ignore. In this odd contrast — the impending impact of a chaotic presidency versus the exhilarating but fleeting experience of a pop concert — there’s something genuinely Canadian happening, a testament to our knack for finding small joys in dark times.
Andrew Coyne’s recent piece in The Globe and Mail paints a grim picture: a “rogue elephant” is now in charge of our southern neighbour, poised to create seismic shifts in Canada’s economy, defence, and way of life. Coyne warns of Trump’s unpredictability, his plans for mass deportations, tariffs, NATO abandonment, and much more — a storm heading our way for which we are woefully unprepared. Canadians in his readership sound off in agreement, calling for cuts, fiscal restraint, and political urgency — even as many admit that the current government, and perhaps any potential government, might struggle to lead effectively in such turbulent waters.
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Meanwhile, just a few kilometres away from this collective stress session, Toronto is buzzing, not with anxious commentary but with Swifties dressed in rhinestones and friendship bracelets. In a cultural phenomenon that defies political anxieties, Taylor Swift has turned up the volume on joy. Fans from across the country (and beyond) have flocked to Toronto for the spectacle, pumping millions into the local economy, with hotels fully booked, restaurants serving up themed cocktails, and businesses cashing in on Swift’s magnetism. Even the normally cynical among us might smile at the parade of fans who would prefer to scream lyrics at the top of their lungs than scream at the latest news. It’s hard to overstate the intensity of Eras Tour mania; it’s almost as if Canadians are staging a “Keep Calm and Carry On” campaign, Swift-style.
Swift, of course, is no stranger to “the man” trying to tear her down, and her discography is full of anthems about overcoming the forces stacked against you. “You’re on your own, kid,” she sings, in a ballad fit for every Canadian reading Coyne’s grim forecast and realizing that we may, indeed, be on our own. But she doesn’t leave us there: Swift reminds her listeners that, even when faced with adversity, “everything you lose is a step you take.” Even if Canada faces four years of intense disruption, maybe there’s room for a little of Swift’s resilience.
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Coyne worries that Canada has grown too cozy with its neighbour, relying too much on the stability of an American democracy now veering into dangerous territory. And indeed, if we’re about to be swept into a maelstrom of tariffs, weakened defence pacts, and economic upheavals, it may be time to double down on Canadian resilience and figure out our own plan. But maybe Swift’s tour also gives us a hint of what it will take to handle whatever may come: communities coming together, supporting local economies, and finding shared moments of levity.
We don’t know what Canada will look like in four years, but we know that for a few nights in November, Canadians found some hope, joy, and solidarity at a Taylor Swift concert. Sure, the tour will roll on to the next city, leaving Toronto to wake up to the world’s troubles once more. But for now, this is a reminder to dance when we can, invest in community, and face the future with some glitter and grit. Taylor’s message, in all its pop brilliance, might just be what we need to hold onto as we brace ourselves for the chaos ahead: “We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way.” In other words, Canada, shake it off — for now.