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"title": "Reggaeton Is Now Part of the 2024 Election. What Do Fans Think?",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Halloween night, Colombian stars Blessd and Ryan Castro played a sold-out show at the San Jose Civic to nearly 3,000 reggaeton fans that sang along to every verse. San José was their first stop on the ¡Ay Bendito Ghetto! Tour — a city that in the past few years has become the home of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11994119/colombia-copa-america-final-san-jose-argentina\">rapidly growing Colombian community\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The concert came just days after reggaeton was thrust into the political arena. At a Donald Trump campaign rally on Oct. 27, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made crude jokes about Latinos and referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Global reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny subsequently \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/superstar-bad-bunny-backs-harris-for-president-after-trump-event-features-comedians-racist-cracks\">signaled his support for Kamala Harris\u003c/a>, citing the comments at the rally. Nicky Jam, the reggaetonero who surprised fans when he endorsed Trump in September, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/nicky-jam-donald-trump-endorsement-rescinded-1502ebc97adf28be8e22bb01d41a3e42\">retracted his endorsement\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967607\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967607\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ryan Castro performs at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>How do reggaeton fans feel about their genre being thrust to the forefront of the presidential campaign, just days before Election Day? As the last major reggaeton concert in the Bay Area before Nov. 5, Thursday’s concert proved an ideal opportunity to ask just that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Indeed, most of the crowd at the San Jose Civic were young people who have recently migrated from Colombia to the United States. Blessd and Castro’s music, and reggaeton overall, are more than bops — they’re the soundtrack of their migration journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When you listen to reggaeton, you feel like you’re back in your home country again,” said Valeria Bou, originally from Colombia but now living in Seattle. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967613\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1600px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967613\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-1020x1275.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-160x200.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-1229x1536.jpg 1229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maria Sanchez (left) and Andres Naruaez pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Andrés Nárvaez, now living in San Jose, says he listens to Blessd’s “CONDENADO AL EXITO II” all the time since he migrated. “That song says that all is possible with time and hard work,” he said. “I identify with that. I want to stay in this country and work so I can buy myself a Mercedes and a home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Courting the Latino Vote With Reggaeton\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Over 36 million Latinos are eligible to vote this year, and many analysts consider the demographic \u003ca href=\"https://time.com/7096983/election-latino-voters-swing-states-harris-trump-campaigns-economy-immigration/\">a key to victory in important swing states like Nevada, Arizona and Pennsylvania\u003c/a>. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump know this; their campaigns have \u003ca href=\"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-10-19/trump-harris-fight-for-latino-2024-vote-seen-by-record-spanish-ads\">invested millions in courting Latino voters\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gone are the days of Gerald Ford trying to eat a tamal (and failing miserably: he bit into it \u003ca href=\"https://remezcla.com/food/ford-tamal-eating-1976/\">without taking the corn husk off first\u003c/a>). Or Hillary Clinton’s 2016 list of “7 things Hillary Clinton has in common with your abuela,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/us/politics/hillary-clinton-is-not-my-abuela-critics-say.html\">widely criticized\u003c/a> as pandering. This year, both Harris and Trump have tapped reggaeton stars for support.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967623\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1333px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967623\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED.jpg 1333w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-1020x1530.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Melo poses for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>First it was Puerto Rican superstars Anuel AA and Justin Quiles, who \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/reggaeton-donald-trump-endorsements-explained-1235103592/\">endorsed Trump at a rally\u003c/a> in Pennsylvania in August. Then it was their fellow boricua Nicky Jam, who surprised fans and peers when he \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/09/15/donald-trump-nicky-jam-las-vegas-rally/75237185007/\">endorsed Trump at a September rally in Las Vegas\u003c/a>. (Before Nicky walked on stage, Trump referring to him repeatedly as “she.”)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it would be Harris that finally received the \u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/09/19/bad-bunny-kamala-harris-endorsement/\">highly coveted\u003c/a> support of Bad Bunny in a series of Instagram videos shortly after Hinchcliffe’s “floating island of garbage” comment at Madison Square Garden.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13967133']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘What Resources Are You Investing to Support Us?’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For Pittsburg friends Evelyn Suárez, Elaine Torres and Brianna Ruiz, reggaeton as a genre has changed in recent years to center self-empowerment. “It’s authentic,” said Torres, “It’s a lot about showing who you are and putting yourself out there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Suárez’s eyes, when an artist speaks about an issue they care about, it makes them a more complete person. “When it’s someone I love, I ask myself, ‘What’s this about? Is this something that I should be caring about that I didn’t know about before?’” she said. For her, that includes the 2024 election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When I saw that Bad Bunny is supporting Kamala, I’m all for it because Kamala is a lot better than Trump,” Suárez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967610\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967610\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Elaine Torres, Bryanda Ruiz and Evelin Suarez, pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Knowing where an artist stands also helps her know if she wants to keep rooting for them. “I listen to Nicky Jam and when I saw that he was supporting Trump, I was like, ‘Oh no, I don’t support Trump,’” she said. “Seeing him, a Latino, back Trump and forget about all his fans that are Latinos who have suffered from the stuff that Trump has done, I was just like, ‘No.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the three agreed that it’s important for candidates to invest energy in understanding Latino voters, they also want actual results after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not only about having Bad Bunny on your side to get our votes,” Suárez explained, “but what also matters is what you’re continuously doing in power to support the Latino community. What resources are you investing to support us?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967618\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967618\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Juan Jose Troncoso (left) and Juan Diego Naranjo pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>A Music That’s ‘So Pure and Beautiful’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Other fans at the show said they feel protective of reggaeton against U.S. politicians co-opting Latin American music for personal gain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think all of this is out of convenience,” said Juan Troncoso of San José. A dancer who recently migrated from Colombia, Troncoso was first drawn to reggaeton because it reflected the reality of growing up Colombian. “For me, reggaeton represents the cultural mixture we have as a people, all the different histories we have.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What politicians may want out of these artists is to just reach their audiences for votes,” he added. “I don’t see it as something genuine.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967616\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967616\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Juan Pablo Quesada, Valeria Arteaga Bou and Santiago Quesada from Seattle pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Others said they wanted reggaeton and politics to stay separate. “I think [reggaetoneros] shouldn’t get involved in all of this, to be honest,” said Juan Ríos of San José. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ríos said he was drawn to artists like Blessd and Ryan Castro for their style, swagger and music. He also approved of \u003ca href=\"https://www.elespectador.com/revista-vea/famosos/blessd-compro-un-equipo-de-futbol-cual-es-y-cuanto-cuesta/\">Blessd’s recent purchase, alongside other investors, of Vendsyssel FF\u003c/a>, a professional soccer team from Denmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he thinks that “many of the people that follow reggaeton are too young to vote, so I don’t know if supporting candidates actually works out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967611\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967611\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Emanuel Parra, Melannie Zapata and Sebastian Londoño pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>All in It Together\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Dressed as Blade-style vampires, Sebastián Fox and his friends drove over 100 miles from Santa Rosa to see Blessd. Fox is a house and electronic music DJ and producer originally from Colombia who came to the United States to pursue his dreams. The long drive was worth it, he said, to see one of his inspirations. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I see Blessd’s journey of coming from the streets, moving up and becoming a hit, and that motivates me,” he said. “Because if he can, then I can also do the same with my music.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As someone who creates music for a living, he thinks politics should stay separate. “Music is something that needs to be respected. It’s something so pure and beautiful,” said Fox. “Mixing it with politics and influence, that doesn’t match up for me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967614\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967614\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brothers Adrian (left) and Ricardo Abonce pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One thing was clear at the San Jose Civic: the power of reggaeton exists thanks to the dedication of its fans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Brothers Ricardo and Adrian Abonce from Dublin showed up to the performance in Halloween costumes, with Ricardo dressed as the Pope and his brother as a priest. (“All of this made possible by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11965792/spirit-halloween-unleashed-its-first-bay-area-store-in-1983\">Spirit Halloween\u003c/a>,” they joked.) \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They said they both grew up listening to reggaeton, listening to everything by Daddy Yankee and La Factoria. “It makes me very proud to see that Latin American music has come so far in the United States,” said Ricardo. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>His brother agreed. “As Latinos, it’s incredible that we’ve come so far,” Adrian said. “We’re all in this together.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967609\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967609\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crowd at the Blessd and Ryan Castro concert during the“ Ay Bendito Ghetto” tour at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "At a Ryan Castro and Blessd concert, fans talk about the heightened role the music plays in U.S. politics.",
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"title": "Reggaeton Is Now Part of the 2024 Election. What Do Fans Think? | KQED",
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"headline": "Reggaeton Is Now Part of the 2024 Election. What Do Fans Think?",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">O\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>n Halloween night, Colombian stars Blessd and Ryan Castro played a sold-out show at the San Jose Civic to nearly 3,000 reggaeton fans that sang along to every verse. San José was their first stop on the ¡Ay Bendito Ghetto! Tour — a city that in the past few years has become the home of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11994119/colombia-copa-america-final-san-jose-argentina\">rapidly growing Colombian community\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The concert came just days after reggaeton was thrust into the political arena. At a Donald Trump campaign rally on Oct. 27, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made crude jokes about Latinos and referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Global reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny subsequently \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/superstar-bad-bunny-backs-harris-for-president-after-trump-event-features-comedians-racist-cracks\">signaled his support for Kamala Harris\u003c/a>, citing the comments at the rally. Nicky Jam, the reggaetonero who surprised fans when he endorsed Trump in September, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/nicky-jam-donald-trump-endorsement-rescinded-1502ebc97adf28be8e22bb01d41a3e42\">retracted his endorsement\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967607\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967607\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-08-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ryan Castro performs at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>How do reggaeton fans feel about their genre being thrust to the forefront of the presidential campaign, just days before Election Day? As the last major reggaeton concert in the Bay Area before Nov. 5, Thursday’s concert proved an ideal opportunity to ask just that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Indeed, most of the crowd at the San Jose Civic were young people who have recently migrated from Colombia to the United States. Blessd and Castro’s music, and reggaeton overall, are more than bops — they’re the soundtrack of their migration journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When you listen to reggaeton, you feel like you’re back in your home country again,” said Valeria Bou, originally from Colombia but now living in Seattle. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967613\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1600px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967613\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-1020x1275.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-160x200.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-26-103124-KQED-1229x1536.jpg 1229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maria Sanchez (left) and Andres Naruaez pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Andrés Nárvaez, now living in San Jose, says he listens to Blessd’s “CONDENADO AL EXITO II” all the time since he migrated. “That song says that all is possible with time and hard work,” he said. “I identify with that. I want to stay in this country and work so I can buy myself a Mercedes and a home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Courting the Latino Vote With Reggaeton\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Over 36 million Latinos are eligible to vote this year, and many analysts consider the demographic \u003ca href=\"https://time.com/7096983/election-latino-voters-swing-states-harris-trump-campaigns-economy-immigration/\">a key to victory in important swing states like Nevada, Arizona and Pennsylvania\u003c/a>. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump know this; their campaigns have \u003ca href=\"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-10-19/trump-harris-fight-for-latino-2024-vote-seen-by-record-spanish-ads\">invested millions in courting Latino voters\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gone are the days of Gerald Ford trying to eat a tamal (and failing miserably: he bit into it \u003ca href=\"https://remezcla.com/food/ford-tamal-eating-1976/\">without taking the corn husk off first\u003c/a>). Or Hillary Clinton’s 2016 list of “7 things Hillary Clinton has in common with your abuela,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/us/politics/hillary-clinton-is-not-my-abuela-critics-say.html\">widely criticized\u003c/a> as pandering. This year, both Harris and Trump have tapped reggaeton stars for support.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967623\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1333px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967623\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED.jpg 1333w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-1020x1530.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-46-103124-KQED-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Melo poses for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>First it was Puerto Rican superstars Anuel AA and Justin Quiles, who \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/reggaeton-donald-trump-endorsements-explained-1235103592/\">endorsed Trump at a rally\u003c/a> in Pennsylvania in August. Then it was their fellow boricua Nicky Jam, who surprised fans and peers when he \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/09/15/donald-trump-nicky-jam-las-vegas-rally/75237185007/\">endorsed Trump at a September rally in Las Vegas\u003c/a>. (Before Nicky walked on stage, Trump referring to him repeatedly as “she.”)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it would be Harris that finally received the \u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/09/19/bad-bunny-kamala-harris-endorsement/\">highly coveted\u003c/a> support of Bad Bunny in a series of Instagram videos shortly after Hinchcliffe’s “floating island of garbage” comment at Madison Square Garden.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘What Resources Are You Investing to Support Us?’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For Pittsburg friends Evelyn Suárez, Elaine Torres and Brianna Ruiz, reggaeton as a genre has changed in recent years to center self-empowerment. “It’s authentic,” said Torres, “It’s a lot about showing who you are and putting yourself out there.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Suárez’s eyes, when an artist speaks about an issue they care about, it makes them a more complete person. “When it’s someone I love, I ask myself, ‘What’s this about? Is this something that I should be caring about that I didn’t know about before?’” she said. For her, that includes the 2024 election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When I saw that Bad Bunny is supporting Kamala, I’m all for it because Kamala is a lot better than Trump,” Suárez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967610\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967610\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-22-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Elaine Torres, Bryanda Ruiz and Evelin Suarez, pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Knowing where an artist stands also helps her know if she wants to keep rooting for them. “I listen to Nicky Jam and when I saw that he was supporting Trump, I was like, ‘Oh no, I don’t support Trump,’” she said. “Seeing him, a Latino, back Trump and forget about all his fans that are Latinos who have suffered from the stuff that Trump has done, I was just like, ‘No.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the three agreed that it’s important for candidates to invest energy in understanding Latino voters, they also want actual results after Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not only about having Bad Bunny on your side to get our votes,” Suárez explained, “but what also matters is what you’re continuously doing in power to support the Latino community. What resources are you investing to support us?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967618\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967618\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-34-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Juan Jose Troncoso (left) and Juan Diego Naranjo pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>A Music That’s ‘So Pure and Beautiful’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Other fans at the show said they feel protective of reggaeton against U.S. politicians co-opting Latin American music for personal gain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think all of this is out of convenience,” said Juan Troncoso of San José. A dancer who recently migrated from Colombia, Troncoso was first drawn to reggaeton because it reflected the reality of growing up Colombian. “For me, reggaeton represents the cultural mixture we have as a people, all the different histories we have.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What politicians may want out of these artists is to just reach their audiences for votes,” he added. “I don’t see it as something genuine.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967616\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967616\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-30-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Juan Pablo Quesada, Valeria Arteaga Bou and Santiago Quesada from Seattle pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Others said they wanted reggaeton and politics to stay separate. “I think [reggaetoneros] shouldn’t get involved in all of this, to be honest,” said Juan Ríos of San José. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ríos said he was drawn to artists like Blessd and Ryan Castro for their style, swagger and music. He also approved of \u003ca href=\"https://www.elespectador.com/revista-vea/famosos/blessd-compro-un-equipo-de-futbol-cual-es-y-cuanto-cuesta/\">Blessd’s recent purchase, alongside other investors, of Vendsyssel FF\u003c/a>, a professional soccer team from Denmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he thinks that “many of the people that follow reggaeton are too young to vote, so I don’t know if supporting candidates actually works out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967611\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967611\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-23-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Emanuel Parra, Melannie Zapata and Sebastian Londoño pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>All in It Together\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Dressed as Blade-style vampires, Sebastián Fox and his friends drove over 100 miles from Santa Rosa to see Blessd. Fox is a house and electronic music DJ and producer originally from Colombia who came to the United States to pursue his dreams. The long drive was worth it, he said, to see one of his inspirations. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I see Blessd’s journey of coming from the streets, moving up and becoming a hit, and that motivates me,” he said. “Because if he can, then I can also do the same with my music.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As someone who creates music for a living, he thinks politics should stay separate. “Music is something that needs to be respected. It’s something so pure and beautiful,” said Fox. “Mixing it with politics and influence, that doesn’t match up for me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967614\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967614\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-27-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brothers Adrian (left) and Ricardo Abonce pose for a photograph before the concert of Colombian artists Blessd and Ryan Castro at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One thing was clear at the San Jose Civic: the power of reggaeton exists thanks to the dedication of its fans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Brothers Ricardo and Adrian Abonce from Dublin showed up to the performance in Halloween costumes, with Ricardo dressed as the Pope and his brother as a priest. (“All of this made possible by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11965792/spirit-halloween-unleashed-its-first-bay-area-store-in-1983\">Spirit Halloween\u003c/a>,” they joked.) \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They said they both grew up listening to reggaeton, listening to everything by Daddy Yankee and La Factoria. “It makes me very proud to see that Latin American music has come so far in the United States,” said Ricardo. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>His brother agreed. “As Latinos, it’s incredible that we’ve come so far,” Adrian said. “We’re all in this together.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967609\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967609\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/BLESSD-FANDOMVOTE-20-103124-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crowd at the Blessd and Ryan Castro concert during the“ Ay Bendito Ghetto” tour at the San Jose Civic in San Jose on Oct. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Josie Lepe for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "charli-xcx-fans-election-2024-harris-trump",
"title": "Charli XCX Said ‘Kamala IS Brat.’ 3 Months On, Do Her Bay Area Fans Agree?",
"publishDate": 1729780205,
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"headTitle": "Charli XCX Said ‘Kamala IS Brat.’ 3 Months On, Do Her Bay Area Fans Agree? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ci>This story is part of the KQED series \u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">\u003ci>The Fandom Vote\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ven a die-hard Charli XCX fan transported from June 2024 straight to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13966893/charli-xcx-troye-sivan-chase-center-san-francisco-review\">her sold-out San Francisco show last week\u003c/a> could be forgiven for being confused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They wouldn’t be surprised by the stylish warehouse rave fits, of course, almost all of which paid homage to the visuals of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13966893/charli-xcx-troye-sivan-chase-center-san-francisco-review\">Charli XCX’s hyperpop summer album \u003ci>brat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> in neon-matcha green. Or the excitement of the crowd, who packed out the Chase Center to watch the British artist perform alongside Troye Sivan for a night of electropop with deep roots in queer culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What they would likely \u003ci>not\u003c/i> be able to comprehend: the shirts saying, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997647/brat-kamala-harris-charli-xcx-coconut-tree-donald-trump\">you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?\u003c/a>” Or “make america brat again.” Or “demo(b)rat.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967066\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967066\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing sun glasses, a scarf wrapped around their head and a t-shirt with a neon green background raises their hands in front of a gate.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Manav Guruswami, 18, wears a Charli XCX-themed shirt with a quote from Vice President Kamala Harris while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco. Guruswami thinks the Harris Walz campaign’s use of ‘brat’ is an intelligent marketing campaign for the younger generation of voters. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The reason for this new presence in the Charli XCX fandom? On July 21, President Joe Biden \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11996483/if-joe-biden-drops-out-kamala-harris-gavin-newsom-democratic-convention\">stepped down\u003c/a> as the Democratic presidential candidate and vice president — and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901099/remembering-the-rainbow-sign-the-short-but-powerful-reign-of-berkeleys-1970s-black-cultural-center\">Bay Area’s own\u003c/a> — Kamala Harris stepped forward. In the middle of the fever-pitch commentary that followed, the ever-online Charli XCX, riding high amid what had already been dubbed “brat summer,” still somehow managed to dominate the conversation with three words posted to X: “kamala IS brat.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/charli_xcx/status/1815182384066707861?lang=en\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From this moment on, the Democratic party sought to leverage \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-endorsement-harris-walz-friendship-bracelets-1235772337/\">the endorsement power of the pop girls\u003c/a>, like Charli, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997449/why-kamala-harris-is-having-a-brat-summer\">co-opt the memes\u003c/a> in pursuit of \u003ca href=\"https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/harriz-walz-camo-hat-1236536392/\">younger voters\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘The girls came together’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>One of those young voters is 18-year-old Fremont resident Talon Hollestelle. As a fan of Charli XCX’s music since they were 10, courtesy of their older sister, Hollestelle was thrilled that their preferred candidate got the brat approval.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967069\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967069\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Men and women stand and kneel for a picture. Several of the people are wearing dark and neon green clothing items.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left to right: Charli XCX fans Cameron Rivera, Maryam Almahdi, Jordan Mclean, tushawn, DJ Repose, and Talon Hollestelle pose for a portrait while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“That’s feminism, period. That’s feminism. The girls came together,” Hollestelle said. “I was like, ‘Maybe I should vote for Kamala?’ Which I always said I was going to anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For Hollestelle, Harris is their clear choice for president. While they’re concerned about her support of Israel during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">its yearlong siege of Gaza\u003c/a>, Hollestelle said \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11917975/with-roe-v-wade-overturned-whats-next-for-our-constitutional-rights\">the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade\u003c/a> makes them worried about the future of constitutional rights like marriage equality under a second Trump administration. (This election season, Californians can vote on whether \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/proposition-3\">marriage rights for same-sex couples\u003c/a> should be enshrined in the state constitution.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Camillo Cervantes, 22, from San Jose, said he shared this concern for constitutional rights in the U.S. He was particularly worried about how many officials have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/us/christian-nationalism-politicians.html\">making decisions based on religious beliefs\u003c/a> instead of research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967063\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967063\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg\" alt='A person wearing sun glasses and a sleeveless black t-shirt that says \"brat\" in sequins poses with an arm up.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camillo Cervantes, 22, poses for a portrait while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I’m not going to knock a religion or anything like that, but I feel like once you incorporate that, it starts to steer away from statistics and science,” Cervantes said. “Topics like abortion, racial injustice, LGBT [rights] — you can talk about it for days, but I feel like we’ve been steered towards … ‘I want to make a law that gets rid of something because I think it’s okay to do that.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967064\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967064\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A closeup image of the word brat shaved onto the back of a person's head.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camillo Cervantes, 22, shaved ‘brat’ onto his head for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Cervantes said that this year’s election — with its \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/2024-elections/378909/election-2024-polls-harris-trump-winning-odds\">too-close-to-tell polling\u003c/a> that has Trump and Harris neck and neck — has been giving him flashbacks to Trump’s 2016 win over Hillary Clinton, who had the popular vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We definitely need to get rid of \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/7/12315574/electoral-college-explained-presidential-elections-2016\">the Electoral College\u003c/a>,” he said. “I feel like it might come down to a situation like that again.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Finally looking at the youths’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Before Biden dropped out of the race this summer, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112\">frustration with his performance among Democratic voters was high\u003c/a>. And many Americans dealt with the news the way they always had: by \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/even-better/23892562/messy-art-posting-through-it-instagram-tiktok\">posting through it\u003c/a>.[aside postID=\"arts_13966893,news_11997647\" label=\"Related Stories\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Online expressions of fan culture had already \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/11/arts/how-fan-culture-is-swallowing-democracy.html\">found its way into American politics\u003c/a>, and when Harris’s candidacy was announced, the memes, edits and fancams instantly turned their attention to the vice president — who had already proved \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997647/brat-kamala-harris-charli-xcx-coconut-tree-donald-trump\">a great source for out-of-context online moments\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A wave of enthusiasm lit up left-leaning voters: among them, Charli XCX-themed posts. The same \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol9CCM240Ag\">“365 party girl” music\u003c/a> that had been applied to gymnast \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@georgiasffx/video/7396970749543681288?_r=1&_t=8qlp02gDCtm\">Simone Biles\u003c/a>. \u003ci>It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s \u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFXSkWqP/\">Dennis Reynolds\u003c/a>, \u003ci>Sex and the City\u003c/i>’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@jillapca4vb/video/7394625783114894625?_r=1&_t=8qlotSWzQh0\">Samantha Jones\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFCgHSMU/\">\u003ci>The Cat in the Hat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> was now used for \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFXSYbw3/\">fancams of Harris\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl/video/7427989944993451294\" data-video-id=\"7427989944993451294\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@nbcsnl\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@nbcsnl\u003c/a>\u003ca title=\"♬ original sound - Saturday Night Live - SNL\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7427989938500537119?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ original sound – Saturday Night Live – SNL\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>[tiktok]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fact that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009089/how-internet-culture-is-influencing-the-election\">sincerity is hard to decipher online\u003c/a> — and that many of the posters behind the Harris memes may have more \u003ca href=\"https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/64914/1/ethel-cain-says-we-are-in-an-irony-epidemic-is-she-right?\">ironic intentions\u003c/a> — has not prevented the Harris campaign pumping out merchandise and images referencing pop stars like \u003ca href=\"https://store.kamalaharris.com/harris-walz-friendship-bracelets/\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/harriz-walz-camo-hat-1236536392/\">Chappell Roan\u003c/a>, and most notably, Charli XCX’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/23/kamala-harris-charli-xcx-brat\">\u003ci>brat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> brand.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For her part, 27-year-old San Francisco resident Courtney Kessler said she was excited that the Democrats were “finally looking at the youths.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967073\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967073\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a neon green shirt with text and a black skirt stands outside.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Courtney Kessler, 27, wears a Charli XCX-themed shirt with a viral quote from Vice President Harris at the Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I feel like that’s a big thing that has been missing from a lot of elections,” said Kessler, who cites her major concerns this election as reproductive rights, housing and student loans. She said she was “just really happy” to see the Democrats “modernizing their campaign strategies to actually match the voter population.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967071\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967071\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two white men wearing neon green hats and clothing kiss.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Charli XCX fans Eric Oesterle, left, and DJ Rotten Robbie, right, kiss before attending Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Charli XCX herself has said \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/xcxsource/status/1843727431640986007?s=46&t=7BBzFwo6eYLzJIVfAlumEQ\">she didn’t expect\u003c/a> her “kamala IS brat” post — something \u003ca href=\"https://www.vulture.com/article/charli-xcx-interview-brat-summer-fall-kamala-harris.html\">she apparently dashed off poolside\u003c/a> as a lighthearted way to welcome Harris to the presidential race — to take off the way it did. Nor for it to result in her \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/charlixcx/comments/1eao8zy/charli_has_made_it_to_fox_news_of_all_places_at/\">interviews about partying\u003c/a> getting dissected on Fox News. But “to be on the right side of democracy, the right side of women’s rights, is hugely important to me,” Charli XCX told \u003ca href=\"https://www.vulture.com/article/charli-xcx-interview-brat-summer-fall-kamala-harris.html\">\u003ci>New York Magazine\u003c/i>\u003c/a>. “I’m happy to help to prevent democracy from failing forever.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967058\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967058\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A woman shows her nails that are painted neon green with letters and is wearing a neon green coat.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Morgan Le, 28, of Eugene, Oregon, shows off his ‘brat’ themed nails while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Texas resident Adam Xavier Vega, 20, said they found the brat-Harris combination to be “really fun.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a fan of Charli for so long,” they said. “So just seeing how much of an impact she can make on politics and stuff is just insane.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967060\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967060\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\" alt='A man wearing neon green clothing poses for a portrait outside while holding a vinyl album that says \"brat.\"' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Adam Xavier Vega, 20, of Nacogdoches, Texas, poses for a portrait with their ‘brat’ LP while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Vega — who said they were most worried about marginalized people and lower-income families in the outcome of the election — said that it’s “very helpful” for an artist like Charli XCX to support “a candidate who’s actually trying to help.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like a lot of her fans are like these lower-tier people who listen to her music and think it’s very inspiring,” Vega said. “Because that’s me.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/moistbreezy/status/1815906620943286528\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Francisco resident Kajal Dharmar, 22, said that not only had they become more interested in the election once Harris entered the race, but they’d since observed just how much pop stars were impacting the election — including Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris, which led to \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/clicks-taylor-swifts-voter-registration-link-misinterpreted-online-2024-09-13/\">a spike in visits to a voter registration website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Harris campaign “did a really good job of targeting the people that were my age and making content that was specifically geared towards us,” Dharmar said, noting that her reaction was, “Okay, this isn’t ugly, cringey, millennial content.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/aherman2006/status/1815226190770160070\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This Very Online approach “was actually something that made me laugh a little bit,” she said. “Which I was not expecting from a political campaign at all.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967059\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967059\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two women stand next to each other. The woman on the left has her hair wrapped in a dark green scarf and is wearing a black jacket. The woman on the right has on a red tank top and a purple lanyard hangs from their necks.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Khadijah Rashid, 20, and Kajal Dharmar, 22, pose for a portrait while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>‘I guess that’s the game’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>However, Khadijah Rashid, 20, was a little more perplexed. “I was really confused because [Charli XCX is] not American,” she laughed. “And so I was like, ‘What possessed you to make a comment on the American presidential candidate?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rashid, who traveled from Illinois for the San Francisco show and who lists climate change and environmental sustainability as her voting priorities, noted that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2024-09-09/a-new-poll-finds-a-surprising-presidential-choice-for-muslim-american-voters-in-michigan\">Democratic Party lost many Muslim voters this year\u003c/a>. Swing states like Michigan have a large Muslim population that has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/09/19/nx-s1-5115867/muslim-voters-say-they-dont-feel-understood-or-welcomed-by-republicans-or-democrats\">vocal over the siege in Gaza, and the United States’ role in supporting Israel\u003c/a>.[aside label=\"From the 2024 Voter Guide\" link1='https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/president,Learn about the U.S. Presidential Election' hero=https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2024/09/Aside-Presidential-2024-General-Election-1200x1200-1.png]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A really large part of my Muslim community is planning on voting independent for the presidential election,” Rashid said — adding that this shouldn’t come across as a surprise to elected officials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From her experience in reaching out to her representatives and senators in Illinois, she said they knew exactly why Muslim voters were upset. “I don’t think that there’s anything for me to say that they don’t already know,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among \u003ca href=\"https://www.newsweek.com/hasan-piker-comments-kamala-harris-election-campaign-strategy-1970819\">some left-leaning voters\u003c/a> who support Palestinians and immigrant rights, excitement for Harris began to wane around \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/uncommitted-palestinian-convention-harris-918812eb0e19b9669f8b9b9cd88c6360\">her speech at the Democratic National Convention\u003c/a>. For them, there was a feeling her policies had strayed \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/politics/378977/kamala-harris-loses-trump-2024-election-democratic-party\">too close to the center\u003c/a> of the political spectrum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of those voters, 19-year-old San Francisco resident Grey Davila, said they were trying not to think about the election, uneasy about the idea of Trump winning. At the same time, they said they weren’t happy \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/politics/378478/harris-immigration-border-progressive-agenda-2024-election\">with either side’s stated policies on immigration\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967056\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967056\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg\" alt='A white man with glasses and a necklace poses wearing a white undershirt that says \"brat.\"' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grey Davila, 19, of San Francisco, poses for a portrait while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t sit with me,” they said. Undocumented people and immigrants are “trying to get here to escape persecution or war in their countries. And it’s really messed up how both parties have made this twisted perception of immigration.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oakland resident Jules Michicich, 26, who wore a black button-up with a lime green clerical collar, with the Charli XCX lyric \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTIvFD7TCVg\">‘jesus christ on a plastic sign\u003c/a>’ on their back — was similarly anxious but checked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967061\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967061\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing glasses and a priest's uniform leans against a guard rail with people behind them.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jules Michicich, 26, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>They said that in the absence of “a pro-Palestine candidate,” they were nonetheless “hoping that if we elect Democrats, that we can at least put pressure on the Democratic Party to take a more progressive stance on certain issues.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democrats aren’t very left,” Michicich said. “We’re not very progressive and maybe haven’t been for a minute. But there isn’t really a great option when you are critical of the United States as an imperialist state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967062\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1333px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967062\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing a black shirt has a neon green sign on their back with text and an image of a man nailed to a cross.\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg 1333w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-1020x1530.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jules Michicich, 26, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike others, Michicich said they weren’t impressed or swayed by the Harris/brat memes — especially as they were “probably going to vote for” Harris anyway.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a little cringy, of course. I feel like most presidential campaign moves are,” Michicich said. They found it “a little disturbing” that establishments like the Democratic Party were trying to “meme themselves” as part of American politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I guess that’s the game,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Walnut Creek resident Isaiah Wrice, 24, said that they were also most concerned over the siege of Gaza — but the support both Harris and Trump had expressed for Israel “makes it very hard for me as a voter to decide who I’m going to vote for.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Neither of them align with where I align with on the issues,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967067\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967067\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A black man wearing a ripped t-shirt and white elbow covers leans against a guard rail with people behind him.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isaiah Wrice, 24, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. Wrice, of Walnut Creek, feels strongly about voting in local elections rather than the presidential election as a California resident. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While Wrice said they usually feel safer as a California resident, they are worried about the impact of a Trump presidency on people in red states — and were particularly alarmed by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11998288/what-is-project-2025-donald-trump-heritage-foundation-director-steps-down\">Project 2025\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All of these federal regulation groups that allow us to function as a society — they’re trying to break them down,” they said. “That’s very scary because that is something that would affect my life here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing California is a blue state that will almost certainly vote in favor of Harris, Wrice said, “I honestly don’t even know if I’m going to vote for president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m much more focused on my local and state elections where I can make some more impact,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Charli XCX Said ‘Kamala IS Brat.’ 3 Months On, Do Her Bay Area Fans Agree? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ci>This story is part of the KQED series \u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">\u003ci>The Fandom Vote\u003c/i>\u003c/a>\u003ci>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">E\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>ven a die-hard Charli XCX fan transported from June 2024 straight to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13966893/charli-xcx-troye-sivan-chase-center-san-francisco-review\">her sold-out San Francisco show last week\u003c/a> could be forgiven for being confused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They wouldn’t be surprised by the stylish warehouse rave fits, of course, almost all of which paid homage to the visuals of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13966893/charli-xcx-troye-sivan-chase-center-san-francisco-review\">Charli XCX’s hyperpop summer album \u003ci>brat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> in neon-matcha green. Or the excitement of the crowd, who packed out the Chase Center to watch the British artist perform alongside Troye Sivan for a night of electropop with deep roots in queer culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What they would likely \u003ci>not\u003c/i> be able to comprehend: the shirts saying, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997647/brat-kamala-harris-charli-xcx-coconut-tree-donald-trump\">you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?\u003c/a>” Or “make america brat again.” Or “demo(b)rat.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967066\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967066\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing sun glasses, a scarf wrapped around their head and a t-shirt with a neon green background raises their hands in front of a gate.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-026-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Manav Guruswami, 18, wears a Charli XCX-themed shirt with a quote from Vice President Kamala Harris while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco. Guruswami thinks the Harris Walz campaign’s use of ‘brat’ is an intelligent marketing campaign for the younger generation of voters. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The reason for this new presence in the Charli XCX fandom? On July 21, President Joe Biden \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11996483/if-joe-biden-drops-out-kamala-harris-gavin-newsom-democratic-convention\">stepped down\u003c/a> as the Democratic presidential candidate and vice president — and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11901099/remembering-the-rainbow-sign-the-short-but-powerful-reign-of-berkeleys-1970s-black-cultural-center\">Bay Area’s own\u003c/a> — Kamala Harris stepped forward. In the middle of the fever-pitch commentary that followed, the ever-online Charli XCX, riding high amid what had already been dubbed “brat summer,” still somehow managed to dominate the conversation with three words posted to X: “kamala IS brat.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>From this moment on, the Democratic party sought to leverage \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-endorsement-harris-walz-friendship-bracelets-1235772337/\">the endorsement power of the pop girls\u003c/a>, like Charli, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997449/why-kamala-harris-is-having-a-brat-summer\">co-opt the memes\u003c/a> in pursuit of \u003ca href=\"https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/harriz-walz-camo-hat-1236536392/\">younger voters\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘The girls came together’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>One of those young voters is 18-year-old Fremont resident Talon Hollestelle. As a fan of Charli XCX’s music since they were 10, courtesy of their older sister, Hollestelle was thrilled that their preferred candidate got the brat approval.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967069\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967069\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Men and women stand and kneel for a picture. Several of the people are wearing dark and neon green clothing items.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-033-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left to right: Charli XCX fans Cameron Rivera, Maryam Almahdi, Jordan Mclean, tushawn, DJ Repose, and Talon Hollestelle pose for a portrait while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“That’s feminism, period. That’s feminism. The girls came together,” Hollestelle said. “I was like, ‘Maybe I should vote for Kamala?’ Which I always said I was going to anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For Hollestelle, Harris is their clear choice for president. While they’re concerned about her support of Israel during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">its yearlong siege of Gaza\u003c/a>, Hollestelle said \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11917975/with-roe-v-wade-overturned-whats-next-for-our-constitutional-rights\">the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade\u003c/a> makes them worried about the future of constitutional rights like marriage equality under a second Trump administration. (This election season, Californians can vote on whether \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/california/proposition-3\">marriage rights for same-sex couples\u003c/a> should be enshrined in the state constitution.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Camillo Cervantes, 22, from San Jose, said he shared this concern for constitutional rights in the U.S. He was particularly worried about how many officials have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/us/christian-nationalism-politicians.html\">making decisions based on religious beliefs\u003c/a> instead of research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967063\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967063\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg\" alt='A person wearing sun glasses and a sleeveless black t-shirt that says \"brat\" in sequins poses with an arm up.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-019-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camillo Cervantes, 22, poses for a portrait while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I’m not going to knock a religion or anything like that, but I feel like once you incorporate that, it starts to steer away from statistics and science,” Cervantes said. “Topics like abortion, racial injustice, LGBT [rights] — you can talk about it for days, but I feel like we’ve been steered towards … ‘I want to make a law that gets rid of something because I think it’s okay to do that.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967064\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967064\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A closeup image of the word brat shaved onto the back of a person's head.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-020-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camillo Cervantes, 22, shaved ‘brat’ onto his head for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Cervantes said that this year’s election — with its \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/2024-elections/378909/election-2024-polls-harris-trump-winning-odds\">too-close-to-tell polling\u003c/a> that has Trump and Harris neck and neck — has been giving him flashbacks to Trump’s 2016 win over Hillary Clinton, who had the popular vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We definitely need to get rid of \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/7/12315574/electoral-college-explained-presidential-elections-2016\">the Electoral College\u003c/a>,” he said. “I feel like it might come down to a situation like that again.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Finally looking at the youths’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Before Biden dropped out of the race this summer, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112\">frustration with his performance among Democratic voters was high\u003c/a>. And many Americans dealt with the news the way they always had: by \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/even-better/23892562/messy-art-posting-through-it-instagram-tiktok\">posting through it\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Online expressions of fan culture had already \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/11/arts/how-fan-culture-is-swallowing-democracy.html\">found its way into American politics\u003c/a>, and when Harris’s candidacy was announced, the memes, edits and fancams instantly turned their attention to the vice president — who had already proved \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11997647/brat-kamala-harris-charli-xcx-coconut-tree-donald-trump\">a great source for out-of-context online moments\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A wave of enthusiasm lit up left-leaning voters: among them, Charli XCX-themed posts. The same \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol9CCM240Ag\">“365 party girl” music\u003c/a> that had been applied to gymnast \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@georgiasffx/video/7396970749543681288?_r=1&_t=8qlp02gDCtm\">Simone Biles\u003c/a>. \u003ci>It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s \u003c/i>\u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFXSkWqP/\">Dennis Reynolds\u003c/a>, \u003ci>Sex and the City\u003c/i>’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@jillapca4vb/video/7394625783114894625?_r=1&_t=8qlotSWzQh0\">Samantha Jones\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFCgHSMU/\">\u003ci>The Cat in the Hat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> was now used for \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFXSYbw3/\">fancams of Harris\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;\" cite=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl/video/7427989944993451294\" data-video-id=\"7427989944993451294\">\n\u003csection>\u003ca title=\"@nbcsnl\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcsnl?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@nbcsnl\u003c/a>\u003ca title=\"♬ original sound - Saturday Night Live - SNL\" href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7427989938500537119?refer=embed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">♬ original sound – Saturday Night Live – SNL\u003c/a>\u003c/section>\n\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fact that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009089/how-internet-culture-is-influencing-the-election\">sincerity is hard to decipher online\u003c/a> — and that many of the posters behind the Harris memes may have more \u003ca href=\"https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/64914/1/ethel-cain-says-we-are-in-an-irony-epidemic-is-she-right?\">ironic intentions\u003c/a> — has not prevented the Harris campaign pumping out merchandise and images referencing pop stars like \u003ca href=\"https://store.kamalaharris.com/harris-walz-friendship-bracelets/\">Taylor Swift\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/harriz-walz-camo-hat-1236536392/\">Chappell Roan\u003c/a>, and most notably, Charli XCX’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/23/kamala-harris-charli-xcx-brat\">\u003ci>brat\u003c/i>\u003c/a> brand.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For her part, 27-year-old San Francisco resident Courtney Kessler said she was excited that the Democrats were “finally looking at the youths.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967073\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967073\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a neon green shirt with text and a black skirt stands outside.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-043-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Courtney Kessler, 27, wears a Charli XCX-themed shirt with a viral quote from Vice President Harris at the Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I feel like that’s a big thing that has been missing from a lot of elections,” said Kessler, who cites her major concerns this election as reproductive rights, housing and student loans. She said she was “just really happy” to see the Democrats “modernizing their campaign strategies to actually match the voter population.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967071\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967071\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two white men wearing neon green hats and clothing kiss.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-037-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Charli XCX fans Eric Oesterle, left, and DJ Rotten Robbie, right, kiss before attending Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Charli XCX herself has said \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/xcxsource/status/1843727431640986007?s=46&t=7BBzFwo6eYLzJIVfAlumEQ\">she didn’t expect\u003c/a> her “kamala IS brat” post — something \u003ca href=\"https://www.vulture.com/article/charli-xcx-interview-brat-summer-fall-kamala-harris.html\">she apparently dashed off poolside\u003c/a> as a lighthearted way to welcome Harris to the presidential race — to take off the way it did. Nor for it to result in her \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/charlixcx/comments/1eao8zy/charli_has_made_it_to_fox_news_of_all_places_at/\">interviews about partying\u003c/a> getting dissected on Fox News. But “to be on the right side of democracy, the right side of women’s rights, is hugely important to me,” Charli XCX told \u003ca href=\"https://www.vulture.com/article/charli-xcx-interview-brat-summer-fall-kamala-harris.html\">\u003ci>New York Magazine\u003c/i>\u003c/a>. “I’m happy to help to prevent democracy from failing forever.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967058\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967058\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A woman shows her nails that are painted neon green with letters and is wearing a neon green coat.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-009-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Morgan Le, 28, of Eugene, Oregon, shows off his ‘brat’ themed nails while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Texas resident Adam Xavier Vega, 20, said they found the brat-Harris combination to be “really fun.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a fan of Charli for so long,” they said. “So just seeing how much of an impact she can make on politics and stuff is just insane.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967060\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967060\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\" alt='A man wearing neon green clothing poses for a portrait outside while holding a vinyl album that says \"brat.\"' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-014-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Adam Xavier Vega, 20, of Nacogdoches, Texas, poses for a portrait with their ‘brat’ LP while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Vega — who said they were most worried about marginalized people and lower-income families in the outcome of the election — said that it’s “very helpful” for an artist like Charli XCX to support “a candidate who’s actually trying to help.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like a lot of her fans are like these lower-tier people who listen to her music and think it’s very inspiring,” Vega said. “Because that’s me.”\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>San Francisco resident Kajal Dharmar, 22, said that not only had they become more interested in the election once Harris entered the race, but they’d since observed just how much pop stars were impacting the election — including Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris, which led to \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/clicks-taylor-swifts-voter-registration-link-misinterpreted-online-2024-09-13/\">a spike in visits to a voter registration website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Harris campaign “did a really good job of targeting the people that were my age and making content that was specifically geared towards us,” Dharmar said, noting that her reaction was, “Okay, this isn’t ugly, cringey, millennial content.”\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>This Very Online approach “was actually something that made me laugh a little bit,” she said. “Which I was not expecting from a political campaign at all.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967059\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967059\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two women stand next to each other. The woman on the left has her hair wrapped in a dark green scarf and is wearing a black jacket. The woman on the right has on a red tank top and a purple lanyard hangs from their necks.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-010-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Khadijah Rashid, 20, and Kajal Dharmar, 22, pose for a portrait while waiting to attend Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>‘I guess that’s the game’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>However, Khadijah Rashid, 20, was a little more perplexed. “I was really confused because [Charli XCX is] not American,” she laughed. “And so I was like, ‘What possessed you to make a comment on the American presidential candidate?’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rashid, who traveled from Illinois for the San Francisco show and who lists climate change and environmental sustainability as her voting priorities, noted that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2024-09-09/a-new-poll-finds-a-surprising-presidential-choice-for-muslim-american-voters-in-michigan\">Democratic Party lost many Muslim voters this year\u003c/a>. Swing states like Michigan have a large Muslim population that has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/09/19/nx-s1-5115867/muslim-voters-say-they-dont-feel-understood-or-welcomed-by-republicans-or-democrats\">vocal over the siege in Gaza, and the United States’ role in supporting Israel\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"link1": "https://www.kqed.org/voterguide/president,Learn about the U.S. Presidential Election",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A really large part of my Muslim community is planning on voting independent for the presidential election,” Rashid said — adding that this shouldn’t come across as a surprise to elected officials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>From her experience in reaching out to her representatives and senators in Illinois, she said they knew exactly why Muslim voters were upset. “I don’t think that there’s anything for me to say that they don’t already know,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among \u003ca href=\"https://www.newsweek.com/hasan-piker-comments-kamala-harris-election-campaign-strategy-1970819\">some left-leaning voters\u003c/a> who support Palestinians and immigrant rights, excitement for Harris began to wane around \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/uncommitted-palestinian-convention-harris-918812eb0e19b9669f8b9b9cd88c6360\">her speech at the Democratic National Convention\u003c/a>. For them, there was a feeling her policies had strayed \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/politics/378977/kamala-harris-loses-trump-2024-election-democratic-party\">too close to the center\u003c/a> of the political spectrum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of those voters, 19-year-old San Francisco resident Grey Davila, said they were trying not to think about the election, uneasy about the idea of Trump winning. At the same time, they said they weren’t happy \u003ca href=\"https://www.vox.com/politics/378478/harris-immigration-border-progressive-agenda-2024-election\">with either side’s stated policies on immigration\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967056\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967056\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg\" alt='A white man with glasses and a necklace poses wearing a white undershirt that says \"brat.\"' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-003-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grey Davila, 19, of San Francisco, poses for a portrait while waiting to attend the Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t sit with me,” they said. Undocumented people and immigrants are “trying to get here to escape persecution or war in their countries. And it’s really messed up how both parties have made this twisted perception of immigration.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oakland resident Jules Michicich, 26, who wore a black button-up with a lime green clerical collar, with the Charli XCX lyric \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTIvFD7TCVg\">‘jesus christ on a plastic sign\u003c/a>’ on their back — was similarly anxious but checked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967061\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967061\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing glasses and a priest's uniform leans against a guard rail with people behind them.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-015-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jules Michicich, 26, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>They said that in the absence of “a pro-Palestine candidate,” they were nonetheless “hoping that if we elect Democrats, that we can at least put pressure on the Democratic Party to take a more progressive stance on certain issues.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democrats aren’t very left,” Michicich said. “We’re not very progressive and maybe haven’t been for a minute. But there isn’t really a great option when you are critical of the United States as an imperialist state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967062\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1333px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967062\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing a black shirt has a neon green sign on their back with text and an image of a man nailed to a cross.\" width=\"1333\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED.jpg 1333w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-1020x1530.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-018-KQED-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jules Michicich, 26, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike others, Michicich said they weren’t impressed or swayed by the Harris/brat memes — especially as they were “probably going to vote for” Harris anyway.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s a little cringy, of course. I feel like most presidential campaign moves are,” Michicich said. They found it “a little disturbing” that establishments like the Democratic Party were trying to “meme themselves” as part of American politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I guess that’s the game,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Walnut Creek resident Isaiah Wrice, 24, said that they were also most concerned over the siege of Gaza — but the support both Harris and Trump had expressed for Israel “makes it very hard for me as a voter to decide who I’m going to vote for.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Neither of them align with where I align with on the issues,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13967067\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13967067\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A black man wearing a ripped t-shirt and white elbow covers leans against a guard rail with people behind him.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20241020-CHARLIXCXFANS-JY-029-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isaiah Wrice, 24, poses for a portrait while waiting in line for Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. Wrice, of Walnut Creek, feels strongly about voting in local elections rather than the presidential election as a California resident. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While Wrice said they usually feel safer as a California resident, they are worried about the impact of a Trump presidency on people in red states — and were particularly alarmed by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11998288/what-is-project-2025-donald-trump-heritage-foundation-director-steps-down\">Project 2025\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All of these federal regulation groups that allow us to function as a society — they’re trying to break them down,” they said. “That’s very scary because that is something that would affect my life here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing California is a blue state that will almost certainly vote in favor of Harris, Wrice said, “I honestly don’t even know if I’m going to vote for president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m much more focused on my local and state elections where I can make some more impact,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "nicki-minaj-fans-election-barbz-harris-trump",
"title": "The Beautiful Chaos of Nicki Minaj Fans During an Election",
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"headTitle": "The Beautiful Chaos of Nicki Minaj Fans During an Election | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen we began planning to talk to pop culture fandoms about this year’s election, we knew we couldn’t overlook the Barbz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nicki Minaj fans come from all walks of life, unified in their fierce loyalty to the Queen of Rap. As a pivotal figure in music who blew open the doors for today’s female rappers, Nicki is an icon — one whose fanbase has as many different political leanings as \u003ca href=\"https://nickiminaj.fandom.com/wiki/Alter_egos\">she has alter egos\u003c/a>. [aside postID='news_11999092']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nicki’s own politics don’t exactly fit into a box, either. She’s expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-barack-obama-sandra-bland-6804598/\">admiration for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama\u003c/a>, but has also \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1438256221660663812?lang=en\">decried\u003c/a> being told what to do by Democrats, including getting COVID vaccines. In trademark chaotic style, she once \u003ca href=\"https://www.eonline.com/news/760126/nicki-minaj-dedicates-anaconda-to-donald-trump-and-joe-biden-at-time-100-gala\">dedicated her ass-centric hit “Anaconda”\u003c/a> to \u003cem>both\u003c/em> Joe Biden and Donald Trump, “in the spirit of unity.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it wasn’t too surprising that outside Nicki Minaj’s show at the Chase Center in San Francisco, just over a month before Election Day, we found Barbz for Trump, Barbz for Harris, Barbz who didn’t care — as well as Barbz who flat-out hate both candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You already know in advance what political opinions you’ll get at a Ted Nugent concert. Or a Phoebe Bridgers concert. Nicki, though? It’s all over the place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965820\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965820\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeremiah Gage, left, and Elissa Amin, right, pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024 \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I’m voting Trump all the way, and anybody that got a problem can fight me,” said Elissa Amin, from Reno. “When he was president four years ago, everything was better, prices were lower. He’s even said he’s gonna lower all the prices.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amin praised Trump’s foreign policy as well. “I feel like we’ve just been at war with a lot of countries. You can just make peace with someone in a phone call. That’s what he does,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for other issues, like abortion, Amin said that she was “definitely learning more about that stuff right now. I’m trying to extend my knowledge on that. But I’m definitely all about pro-choice, whatever a woman wants to do with her body.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her friend, Jeremiah Gage, just turned 18. “I’m not really big on politics,” he said. “But I feel like it’s cool. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion can change the world, you know? Definitely, next year, I will be voting.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965829\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965829\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Domi Nhan, left, and Anecia Brown, right, of Modesto pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Domi Nhan came to the show from Modesto with her friend Anecia Brown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Go Kamala,” Nhan said, planning to vote for the candidate who “can actually have a difference and not go backwards.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, look at the presidential debate. It was a mess. You can’t spit false information 24/7 just to save your ass,” Nhan said. “And women’s rights mean a lot to me. That’s \u003cem>something\u003c/em>, at least, and I’d rather go forward with something than nothing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965830\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965830\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra Northcutt, left, and Leanna Taylor, right, of Sacramento pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Sierra Northcutt, from Sacramento, was blunt about her stance on the candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re both evil. They both fuckin’ suck,” she said. “I don’t think any one of ’em would be a good choice. We need somebody who’s actually for the people.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her friend Leanna Taylor agreed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13963687']“Either one, they’re just not ready for the White House,” Taylor said. “’Cause [Kamala] stands with how Joe Biden stands. I feel like Joe Biden hasn’t really done as much as other presidents. And Donald Trump, people say he’s crazy and everything, but there’s also just his age. We need somebody a little bit younger, who sees more of the younger generation’s perspective on things.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So what qualities would their ideal candidate have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Somebody who doesn’t come from privilege, obviously,” said Northcutt. “And under 70. Actually, under 50.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965828\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965828\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siena Starr of San Jose, 15, poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Siena Starr was just one year old when Nicki Minaj’s debut album \u003cem>Pink Friday\u003c/em> was released. Hailing from San Jose, Starr plans to start voting when she turns 18, but for now, at the age of 15, she’s already paying attention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, if I could vote, I’d vote for Kamala Harris,” Starr said. “I feel like she’s very woman-empowering. I feel like she’d be a good representative for our country.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Starr added that she doesn’t like Trump, stating it plain: “He used to be our president, and I didn’t like the ideas he had.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13966341\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1320\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13966341\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-800x528.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1020x673.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-768x507.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1920x1267.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L–R) Nikaiyah Williams and Kiera Baldwin attend the Nicki Minaj concert at Chase Center on Sept. 23, 2024 in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kiera Baldwin and Nikaiyah Williams, both from Hayward, are that rare breed of Bay Area voter: undecided about whether to vote for Harris or Trump. And it’s not that they don’t participate in elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I vote,” Baldwin said. “But right now, I’m still thinking about it.” Baldwin cited the economy, homelessness and women’s rights as issues that are important to her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Williams said her concerns in this election cycle include “homelessness and low-income families.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for any issue that Nicki fans are united on, “I would probably say women’s rights, most likely,” Baldwin offered, noting that Nicki Minaj is a mom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965827\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965827\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trini of Oakland poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Trini, a recording artist from Oakland, did not hesitate in her opinion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Vote Kamala,” she implored. “Please get Trump out of my face. I don’t want to see him no more. And I just hate the fact that he’s even an option. If a felon can run the country, then why can’t felons get jobs?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An advocate for reproductive rights, Trini worries about what could happen if Trump wins and assumes the role of a dictator, especially since he’s given a lot of leeway already, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As far as the debate, he didn’t answer no questions directly. Just tiptoein’ around. I’m just over it. It’s like a theatrical performance at this point,” Trini added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965823\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965823\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ronnie Punani of Stockton poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ronnie Punani came from Stockton for the show to celebrate her four-year anniversary with partner Nate — but was decidedly not celebrating her choices at the ballot box.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each candidate “kind of sucks ass, you know, at this point,” she said. “It’s like, what the lesser evil is.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, Ronnie encouraged people to vote anyway. “There’s a lot of people that are not registered, whose voice does matter. Every voice matters, wherever you come from, no matter your skin tone or who you are. Your voice matters.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Neither Nate nor Ronnie wanted to say who they’d be voting for. But Nate offered an array of issues on his mind this election cycle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965824\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965824\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ronnie Punani of Stockton wears pink boots for a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Everyday middle-class American jobs are always an issue,” Nate said. “Pay is always an issue. Living situations are always an issue. Groceries, everything from eggs to milk to bread and butter, are an issue.” He added that taxes, high rent, poverty and crime create poor living conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you come in to the city, here in Frisco, it almost looks like a third-world country,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for solutions? “I think we need to bring American jobs back to the states. I think taxes need to be lowered, I think police need to be reinforced, and I think that local government needs to step up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ronnie said she’s not very concerned with Nicki Minaj making an endorsement of one candidate or the other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you look in an interview, she always makes sure that her Barbz go to school. She’s encouraged people to make sure that they get their college degree. But when it comes down to politics, it’s like… you’ve seen the meme of Nicki Minaj with the American flag, right? Nicki for President, honestly. Period.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965826\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965826\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ally Thomas, left, and Cordè Faafiu, right, of Chico, pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ally Thomas came for the show from Chico with her friend Cordé Faafiu. And while the three-hour drive proved her passion for Nicki Minaj, Thomas doesn’t have the same interest the election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I try to avoid it, to be honest. It’s just a mess,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Asked about any issues that concern her in Chico, Thomas said, “I mean, wildfires are always a concern, up in Chico. I was evacuated twice this year.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965831\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965831\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1428\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-800x571.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1020x728.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-768x548.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1920x1371.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Lakayla Shelton, Shanquae Perry and Loretta Stanberry pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Lakayla Shelton, from San Francisco, said that with her background as a prosecutor, Harris would be a firm but fair president.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She’s just a strong, independent woman, and that’s what we need in the office right now,” Shelton said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13960424']Her friend Loretta Stanberry, also from San Francisco, acknowledged some good in the Trump administration, like the stimulus checks authorized during the first year of COVID. But she plans to vote for Kamala, and “it’s not just because she’s a woman or she’s an African American,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like the direction Trump’s going, we’re not going to make it too long. And I also feel like if you could be a felon, indicted on felonies, and still run? I don’t think that’s fair.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Stanberry went on to praise Harris’ mindset. “Even when working with Biden, she’s on our team, all the issues, she’s working for us. She’s for all minorities. No matter what descent, what you identify as, she’s equal to everybody. I feel like she’ll be a great president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Read more stories of pop culture fandoms and the election in the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "At Nicki’s San Francisco concert, the Barbz spoke out on abortion, taxes and Trump.",
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"title": "The Beautiful Chaos of Nicki Minaj Fans During an Election | KQED",
"description": "At Nicki’s San Francisco concert, the Barbz spoke out on abortion, taxes and Trump.",
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"headline": "The Beautiful Chaos of Nicki Minaj Fans During an Election",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">W\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>hen we began planning to talk to pop culture fandoms about this year’s election, we knew we couldn’t overlook the Barbz.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nicki Minaj fans come from all walks of life, unified in their fierce loyalty to the Queen of Rap. As a pivotal figure in music who blew open the doors for today’s female rappers, Nicki is an icon — one whose fanbase has as many different political leanings as \u003ca href=\"https://nickiminaj.fandom.com/wiki/Alter_egos\">she has alter egos\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nicki’s own politics don’t exactly fit into a box, either. She’s expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-barack-obama-sandra-bland-6804598/\">admiration for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama\u003c/a>, but has also \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1438256221660663812?lang=en\">decried\u003c/a> being told what to do by Democrats, including getting COVID vaccines. In trademark chaotic style, she once \u003ca href=\"https://www.eonline.com/news/760126/nicki-minaj-dedicates-anaconda-to-donald-trump-and-joe-biden-at-time-100-gala\">dedicated her ass-centric hit “Anaconda”\u003c/a> to \u003cem>both\u003c/em> Joe Biden and Donald Trump, “in the spirit of unity.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it wasn’t too surprising that outside Nicki Minaj’s show at the Chase Center in San Francisco, just over a month before Election Day, we found Barbz for Trump, Barbz for Harris, Barbz who didn’t care — as well as Barbz who flat-out hate both candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You already know in advance what political opinions you’ll get at a Ted Nugent concert. Or a Phoebe Bridgers concert. Nicki, though? It’s all over the place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965820\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965820\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-1-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeremiah Gage, left, and Elissa Amin, right, pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024 \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I’m voting Trump all the way, and anybody that got a problem can fight me,” said Elissa Amin, from Reno. “When he was president four years ago, everything was better, prices were lower. He’s even said he’s gonna lower all the prices.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amin praised Trump’s foreign policy as well. “I feel like we’ve just been at war with a lot of countries. You can just make peace with someone in a phone call. That’s what he does,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for other issues, like abortion, Amin said that she was “definitely learning more about that stuff right now. I’m trying to extend my knowledge on that. But I’m definitely all about pro-choice, whatever a woman wants to do with her body.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her friend, Jeremiah Gage, just turned 18. “I’m not really big on politics,” he said. “But I feel like it’s cool. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion can change the world, you know? Definitely, next year, I will be voting.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965829\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965829\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-15-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Domi Nhan, left, and Anecia Brown, right, of Modesto pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Domi Nhan came to the show from Modesto with her friend Anecia Brown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Go Kamala,” Nhan said, planning to vote for the candidate who “can actually have a difference and not go backwards.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, look at the presidential debate. It was a mess. You can’t spit false information 24/7 just to save your ass,” Nhan said. “And women’s rights mean a lot to me. That’s \u003cem>something\u003c/em>, at least, and I’d rather go forward with something than nothing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965830\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965830\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-16-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra Northcutt, left, and Leanna Taylor, right, of Sacramento pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Sierra Northcutt, from Sacramento, was blunt about her stance on the candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re both evil. They both fuckin’ suck,” she said. “I don’t think any one of ’em would be a good choice. We need somebody who’s actually for the people.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her friend Leanna Taylor agreed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“Either one, they’re just not ready for the White House,” Taylor said. “’Cause [Kamala] stands with how Joe Biden stands. I feel like Joe Biden hasn’t really done as much as other presidents. And Donald Trump, people say he’s crazy and everything, but there’s also just his age. We need somebody a little bit younger, who sees more of the younger generation’s perspective on things.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So what qualities would their ideal candidate have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Somebody who doesn’t come from privilege, obviously,” said Northcutt. “And under 70. Actually, under 50.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965828\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965828\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-12-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siena Starr of San Jose, 15, poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Siena Starr was just one year old when Nicki Minaj’s debut album \u003cem>Pink Friday\u003c/em> was released. Hailing from San Jose, Starr plans to start voting when she turns 18, but for now, at the age of 15, she’s already paying attention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I mean, if I could vote, I’d vote for Kamala Harris,” Starr said. “I feel like she’s very woman-empowering. I feel like she’d be a good representative for our country.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Starr added that she doesn’t like Trump, stating it plain: “He used to be our president, and I didn’t like the ideas he had.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13966341\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1320\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13966341\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-800x528.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1020x673.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-768x507.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/20240923_NickiMinajFandomVote-27-1920x1267.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L–R) Nikaiyah Williams and Kiera Baldwin attend the Nicki Minaj concert at Chase Center on Sept. 23, 2024 in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kiera Baldwin and Nikaiyah Williams, both from Hayward, are that rare breed of Bay Area voter: undecided about whether to vote for Harris or Trump. And it’s not that they don’t participate in elections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I vote,” Baldwin said. “But right now, I’m still thinking about it.” Baldwin cited the economy, homelessness and women’s rights as issues that are important to her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Williams said her concerns in this election cycle include “homelessness and low-income families.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for any issue that Nicki fans are united on, “I would probably say women’s rights, most likely,” Baldwin offered, noting that Nicki Minaj is a mom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965827\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965827\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-11-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trini of Oakland poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Trini, a recording artist from Oakland, did not hesitate in her opinion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Vote Kamala,” she implored. “Please get Trump out of my face. I don’t want to see him no more. And I just hate the fact that he’s even an option. If a felon can run the country, then why can’t felons get jobs?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An advocate for reproductive rights, Trini worries about what could happen if Trump wins and assumes the role of a dictator, especially since he’s given a lot of leeway already, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As far as the debate, he didn’t answer no questions directly. Just tiptoein’ around. I’m just over it. It’s like a theatrical performance at this point,” Trini added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965823\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965823\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-5-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ronnie Punani of Stockton poses for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ronnie Punani came from Stockton for the show to celebrate her four-year anniversary with partner Nate — but was decidedly not celebrating her choices at the ballot box.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each candidate “kind of sucks ass, you know, at this point,” she said. “It’s like, what the lesser evil is.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, Ronnie encouraged people to vote anyway. “There’s a lot of people that are not registered, whose voice does matter. Every voice matters, wherever you come from, no matter your skin tone or who you are. Your voice matters.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Neither Nate nor Ronnie wanted to say who they’d be voting for. But Nate offered an array of issues on his mind this election cycle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965824\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965824\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-6-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ronnie Punani of Stockton wears pink boots for a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Everyday middle-class American jobs are always an issue,” Nate said. “Pay is always an issue. Living situations are always an issue. Groceries, everything from eggs to milk to bread and butter, are an issue.” He added that taxes, high rent, poverty and crime create poor living conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you come in to the city, here in Frisco, it almost looks like a third-world country,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for solutions? “I think we need to bring American jobs back to the states. I think taxes need to be lowered, I think police need to be reinforced, and I think that local government needs to step up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ronnie said she’s not very concerned with Nicki Minaj making an endorsement of one candidate or the other.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you look in an interview, she always makes sure that her Barbz go to school. She’s encouraged people to make sure that they get their college degree. But when it comes down to politics, it’s like… you’ve seen the meme of Nicki Minaj with the American flag, right? Nicki for President, honestly. Period.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965826\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965826\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-9-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ally Thomas, left, and Cordè Faafiu, right, of Chico, pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ally Thomas came for the show from Chico with her friend Cordé Faafiu. And while the three-hour drive proved her passion for Nicki Minaj, Thomas doesn’t have the same interest the election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I try to avoid it, to be honest. It’s just a mess,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Asked about any issues that concern her in Chico, Thomas said, “I mean, wildfires are always a concern, up in Chico. I was evacuated twice this year.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13965831\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13965831\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1428\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-800x571.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1020x728.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-768x548.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240923_NICKIMINAJFANDOMVOTE_GC-17-KQED-1920x1371.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Lakayla Shelton, Shanquae Perry and Loretta Stanberry pose for a photo ahead of a Nicki Minaj concert at the Chase Center on September 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Lakayla Shelton, from San Francisco, said that with her background as a prosecutor, Harris would be a firm but fair president.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She’s just a strong, independent woman, and that’s what we need in the office right now,” Shelton said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Her friend Loretta Stanberry, also from San Francisco, acknowledged some good in the Trump administration, like the stimulus checks authorized during the first year of COVID. But she plans to vote for Kamala, and “it’s not just because she’s a woman or she’s an African American,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like the direction Trump’s going, we’re not going to make it too long. And I also feel like if you could be a felon, indicted on felonies, and still run? I don’t think that’s fair.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Stanberry went on to praise Harris’ mindset. “Even when working with Biden, she’s on our team, all the issues, she’s working for us. She’s for all minorities. No matter what descent, what you identify as, she’s equal to everybody. I feel like she’ll be a great president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Read more stories of pop culture fandoms and the election in the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "k-pop-fans-election-voting-g-idle-oakland-neverland",
"title": "Young K-Pop Fans ‘Just Hope for the Best’ in Election Season",
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"headTitle": "Young K-Pop Fans ‘Just Hope for the Best’ in Election Season | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Sunday, hours ahead of (G)I-DLE’s show at the Oakland Arena, fans lined up to exchange concert-related trinkets and photocards, take selfies with each other and practice their dance moves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The five-member girl group — Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua — has performed in the Bay Area before, but their 2024 I-DOL World Tour stop in Oakland marked their largest Bay Area concert to date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964020\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1550px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1550\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964020\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED.jpg 1550w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-800x1032.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-1020x1316.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-160x206.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-768x991.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-1190x1536.jpg 1190w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1550px) 100vw, 1550px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dabs Estanislao holds up a flag of (G)I-DLE member Miyeon at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the most part, K-pop is largely about escapism and creating community, and less about the political concerns of the real world. Still, \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/24/how-us-k-pop-fans-became-a-political-force-to-be-reckoned-with-blm-donald-trump\">K-pop fans can be famously organized\u003c/a> in election years. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We caught up with members of (G)I-DLE’s fandom, known as NEVERLAND, to ask how they got into the K-pop group and how they’re feeling ahead of the election. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964015\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964015\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Nina Soto, Yoana Navarrete Santos, Julissa Sosa, Alondra Sosa and Yosselin Sandoval, pose for a photo, wearing blue wigs from the (G)I-DLE music video “Wife” at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Alondra Sosa of Manteca said she’s been keeping up with politics this election year, and has a pretty good idea of who she wants to vote for — though she didn’t feel comfortable naming a candidate. “I just wish more people would go out and vote,” she said. For the concert, she and her friends all dressed in blue wigs and white T-shirts, just like (G)I-DLE in their popular music video for their song “Wife.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nina Soto, one of Sosa’s friends in a blue wig, said what worried her most this election cycle was how people communicate — or don’t communicate — with one another. “The overall thing that concerns us as a nation at the moment is how we’re going to move forward and actually listen to each other,” she said. “We’re fighting each other, not listening. And I think that’s a big issue: not listening.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964022\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964022\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-800x496.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1020x633.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-768x477.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1920x1191.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shane Lim holds up a photo of (G)I-DLE member Soyeon from the music video “Allergy” at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Shane Lim, a dedicated 19-year-old NEVERLAND from San Lorenzo, said he was curious how the election would turn out. Lim, a fan of (G)I-DLE since 2021, had recreated one of Soyeon’s iconic outfits from (G)I-DLE’s “Allergy” music video for the concert. He said there weren’t any specific issues he was concerned about this election cycle, but he definitely had an idea of who he hoped would pull ahead in the polls. “I hope Kamala wins, in all honesty,” Lim said. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964021\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1246\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964021\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-800x498.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1020x635.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-768x478.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1536x957.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1920x1196.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lindsay Gomez, left, and Katherine Martinez, 16, right, hold up signs for the (G)I-DLE concert at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kamala Harris was the candidate of interest for first-time Marin County voter Lindsay Gomez, too. “I just turned 18 this year, so I’m like, kind of excited to vote,” she said. “I need to learn more, but I think I might go towards Kamala. I kind of hope she does win, because [the] first female president… that would be really cool for us.” 16-year-old Katherine Martinez, who joined Gomez for the concert, nodded in agreement. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year will not only be Gomez’s first time voting, it will be her mom’s first time voting, too. As for election-year concerns, Gomez said she found herself thinking about the logistics of being able to vote in California. “I’m just hoping my registration went through,” she said. She and her mom are already making plans for Election Day. “We’re both going [to vote] together I think, and I hope that everything works out.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964024\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964024\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Evan Villaflor, Martin Villafuerte and Francis Nario wear queen card costumes, after the song Queencard by (G)I-DLE concert, at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Martin Villafuerte, dressed in a queen of hearts playing card costume in homage to (G)I-DLE’s popular song “Queencard,” drove nearly two hours from Patterson with friends to see the girl group perform. Villafuerte said he was “not super confident” going into the election, “but that’s how it is every election.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964018\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964018\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Angel Perez wears a Yuqi graphic tee ahead of the (G)I-DLE concert at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Angel Perez, a San Jose resident, expressed similar sentiments. Perez, dressed in a custom T-shirt with images of Yuqi, his favorite member (known as a “bias” in K-pop culture) on it, got into K-pop just three months ago when he happened to tap play on a YouTube-generated playlist. His interest in (G)I-DLE has grown over time, but as far as politics goes, “I’m not really following the election like that,” Perez said. He noted he was slightly concerned about the levels of crime happening in his community, but when it comes to voting outcomes, “I just hope for the best,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964019\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1266\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964019\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-800x506.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1020x646.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-768x486.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1536x972.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1920x1215.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mahal Bilaoen and friends hold up handmade crocheted photo holders with (G)I-DLE’s members at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "Outside (G)I-DLE's show at the Oakland Arena, fans discussed Kamala, voting rights and bridging the divide.",
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"headline": "Young K-Pop Fans ‘Just Hope for the Best’ in Election Season",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Sunday, hours ahead of (G)I-DLE’s show at the Oakland Arena, fans lined up to exchange concert-related trinkets and photocards, take selfies with each other and practice their dance moves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The five-member girl group — Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua — has performed in the Bay Area before, but their 2024 I-DOL World Tour stop in Oakland marked their largest Bay Area concert to date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964020\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1550px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1550\" height=\"2000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964020\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED.jpg 1550w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-800x1032.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-1020x1316.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-160x206.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-768x991.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-6-KQED-1190x1536.jpg 1190w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1550px) 100vw, 1550px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dabs Estanislao holds up a flag of (G)I-DLE member Miyeon at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the most part, K-pop is largely about escapism and creating community, and less about the political concerns of the real world. Still, \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/24/how-us-k-pop-fans-became-a-political-force-to-be-reckoned-with-blm-donald-trump\">K-pop fans can be famously organized\u003c/a> in election years. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We caught up with members of (G)I-DLE’s fandom, known as NEVERLAND, to ask how they got into the K-pop group and how they’re feeling ahead of the election. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964015\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964015\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-1-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Nina Soto, Yoana Navarrete Santos, Julissa Sosa, Alondra Sosa and Yosselin Sandoval, pose for a photo, wearing blue wigs from the (G)I-DLE music video “Wife” at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Alondra Sosa of Manteca said she’s been keeping up with politics this election year, and has a pretty good idea of who she wants to vote for — though she didn’t feel comfortable naming a candidate. “I just wish more people would go out and vote,” she said. For the concert, she and her friends all dressed in blue wigs and white T-shirts, just like (G)I-DLE in their popular music video for their song “Wife.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nina Soto, one of Sosa’s friends in a blue wig, said what worried her most this election cycle was how people communicate — or don’t communicate — with one another. “The overall thing that concerns us as a nation at the moment is how we’re going to move forward and actually listen to each other,” she said. “We’re fighting each other, not listening. And I think that’s a big issue: not listening.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964022\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964022\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-800x496.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1020x633.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-768x477.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-8-KQED-1920x1191.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shane Lim holds up a photo of (G)I-DLE member Soyeon from the music video “Allergy” at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Shane Lim, a dedicated 19-year-old NEVERLAND from San Lorenzo, said he was curious how the election would turn out. Lim, a fan of (G)I-DLE since 2021, had recreated one of Soyeon’s iconic outfits from (G)I-DLE’s “Allergy” music video for the concert. He said there weren’t any specific issues he was concerned about this election cycle, but he definitely had an idea of who he hoped would pull ahead in the polls. “I hope Kamala wins, in all honesty,” Lim said. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964021\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1246\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964021\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-800x498.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1020x635.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-160x100.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-768x478.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1536x957.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-7-KQED-1920x1196.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lindsay Gomez, left, and Katherine Martinez, 16, right, hold up signs for the (G)I-DLE concert at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kamala Harris was the candidate of interest for first-time Marin County voter Lindsay Gomez, too. “I just turned 18 this year, so I’m like, kind of excited to vote,” she said. “I need to learn more, but I think I might go towards Kamala. I kind of hope she does win, because [the] first female president… that would be really cool for us.” 16-year-old Katherine Martinez, who joined Gomez for the concert, nodded in agreement. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year will not only be Gomez’s first time voting, it will be her mom’s first time voting, too. As for election-year concerns, Gomez said she found herself thinking about the logistics of being able to vote in California. “I’m just hoping my registration went through,” she said. She and her mom are already making plans for Election Day. “We’re both going [to vote] together I think, and I hope that everything works out.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964024\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964024\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-13-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Evan Villaflor, Martin Villafuerte and Francis Nario wear queen card costumes, after the song Queencard by (G)I-DLE concert, at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Martin Villafuerte, dressed in a queen of hearts playing card costume in homage to (G)I-DLE’s popular song “Queencard,” drove nearly two hours from Patterson with friends to see the girl group perform. Villafuerte said he was “not super confident” going into the election, “but that’s how it is every election.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964018\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964018\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-4-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Angel Perez wears a Yuqi graphic tee ahead of the (G)I-DLE concert at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Angel Perez, a San Jose resident, expressed similar sentiments. Perez, dressed in a custom T-shirt with images of Yuqi, his favorite member (known as a “bias” in K-pop culture) on it, got into K-pop just three months ago when he happened to tap play on a YouTube-generated playlist. His interest in (G)I-DLE has grown over time, but as far as politics goes, “I’m not really following the election like that,” Perez said. He noted he was slightly concerned about the levels of crime happening in his community, but when it comes to voting outcomes, “I just hope for the best,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13964019\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1266\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13964019\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-800x506.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1020x646.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-768x486.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1536x972.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/20240908_FANDOMVOTEKPOP-5-KQED-1920x1215.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mahal Bilaoen and friends hold up handmade crocheted photo holders with (G)I-DLE’s members at the Oakland Arena on September 8, 2024. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "taylor-swift-endorses-kamala-harris-for-president-after-debate",
"title": "Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris for President After Debate",
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"headTitle": "Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris for President After Debate | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Taylor Swift, one of the music industry’s biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the presidential debate ended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/\">wrote late Tuesday in an Instagram post\u003c/a>, which included a link to a voter registration website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swift also praised Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, writing that he “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13963687']Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country’s future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A Harris senior campaign official said the endorsement was not coordinated with the campaign. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, appeared to learn about the endorsement in the middle of a live interview on MSNBC. As Rachel Maddow read the text, Walz broke into a smile and patted his chest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That was eloquent. And it was clear,” Walz said. “And that’s the kind of courage we need in America to stand up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13951850\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP.jpg\" alt=\"Taylor Swift is photographed leaning forward in a crowd, wearing a red football jersey and looking puzzled.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13951850\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce look on before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. \u003ccite>(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by Trump’s decision to post artificial intelligence-generated pictures suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump said Wednesday that Swift’s move “was just a question of time.” He told \u003cem>Fox & Friends\u003c/em> that Swift is “a very liberal person” who “seems to always endorse a Democrat and she’ll probably pay a price in the marketplace.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2020, she supported Democrat Joe Biden, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='news_11999092']Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swift is the leading nominee at Wednesday’s MTV Video Music Awards. While it’s unclear whether Swift will attend the show in New York, she could use any acceptance speeches to elaborate on her support of Harris.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The event was shifted a day later to accommodate Tuesday’s debate. MTV has a long history of encouraging voter participation.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Philadelphia, Linley Sanders in Washington and Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "Calling Harris a 'warrior' and a 'gifted leader,' Swift denounced Trump's lie that she had endorsed him.",
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"title": "Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris for President After Debate | KQED",
"description": "Calling Harris a 'warrior' and a 'gifted leader,' Swift denounced Trump's lie that she had endorsed him.",
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"headline": "Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris for President After Debate",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Taylor Swift, one of the music industry’s biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the presidential debate ended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/\">wrote late Tuesday in an Instagram post\u003c/a>, which included a link to a voter registration website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swift also praised Harris’ running mate Tim Walz, writing that he “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country’s future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A Harris senior campaign official said the endorsement was not coordinated with the campaign. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, appeared to learn about the endorsement in the middle of a live interview on MSNBC. As Rachel Maddow read the text, Walz broke into a smile and patted his chest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That was eloquent. And it was clear,” Walz said. “And that’s the kind of courage we need in America to stand up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13951850\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP.jpg\" alt=\"Taylor Swift is photographed leaning forward in a crowd, wearing a red football jersey and looking puzzled.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13951850\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/GettyImages-1732391236-WP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce look on before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. \u003ccite>(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by Trump’s decision to post artificial intelligence-generated pictures suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump said Wednesday that Swift’s move “was just a question of time.” He told \u003cem>Fox & Friends\u003c/em> that Swift is “a very liberal person” who “seems to always endorse a Democrat and she’ll probably pay a price in the marketplace.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2020, she supported Democrat Joe Biden, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swift is the leading nominee at Wednesday’s MTV Video Music Awards. While it’s unclear whether Swift will attend the show in New York, she could use any acceptance speeches to elaborate on her support of Harris.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The event was shifted a day later to accommodate Tuesday’s debate. MTV has a long history of encouraging voter participation.\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Philadelphia, Linley Sanders in Washington and Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "What Do Taylor Swift Fans Expect From Her in This Election?",
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"headTitle": "What Do Taylor Swift Fans Expect From Her in This Election? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the dry heat on a recent Saturday in Sacramento, just half a mile from the state Capitol, a long line of fans waited outside a downtown nightclub to attend a dedicated Taylor Swift party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of these fans was Rachel Hills, who walked the line at \u003ca href=\"https://www.aceofspadessac.com/\">Ace of Spades\u003c/a> handing black Sharpies to those around her, inviting them to write the name of a man who had wronged them on her long, white ball gown she was wearing – a new Swiftie tradition that references the singer’s 2024 song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atdzfj8LcuY\">The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived\u003c/a>.” Hills promised she would burn the dress after the show in a form of cathartic release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the scribbled names of ex-boyfriends and family members, someone had written a familiar name at the bottom of Hills’ dress: “Donald Trump.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963714\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963714\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rachel Hills asks a fellow Taylor Swift fan to write on her dress at a Taylor Swift dance party in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Politics is a recurring topic among Taylor Swift’s fanbase, and Swifties – like \u003ca href=\"https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/16/1067943/kpop-fans-shaping-elections-worldwide/\">K-Pop stans\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16042806/beyonce-beyhive-online-fan-forum-b7c7226ac16d\">the BeyHive\u003c/a> – are known for being diligent organizers. In August, more than 34,000 attendees tuned in to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13963325/swifties-for-kamala-harris-trump-taylor-swift-fans\">“Swifties for Kamala” Zoom call\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hills said that before Biden stepped aside in July, she’d felt anxiety and dread about a possible second Trump presidency. But then, “Kamala came in and I just, all of a sudden, felt a seed of hope,” she told KQED, specifically citing Harris’ stance on reproductive rights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='news_11999092']Earlier in her life, Hills “had to \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_reduction\">selectively reduce\u003c/a> because I was pregnant with conjoined twins and a third baby,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to make that decision to save my one daughter’s life if that [procedure] hadn’t been in play … It’s so important for people to have that option, and to be able to make those decisions based on what their doctors are helping them with.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her daughter is now 16 – and Hills is thinking about the world that she will grow up in. She wants her teen, like all teens, to “feel the freedom to do what they need to do.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They are a generation that pull no punches. They are so smart, and they just do things differently,” she said. “I have so much hope for them. But they need a place to start from.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963715\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963715\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jessica Sanchez (left) and Rachel Hill have been fans of Taylor Swift for 10 years and were eager to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To Hills, it often feels like Swift is “doing things that you would expect the government to do to help,” referencing Swift’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/f/qyxww9-washington-post-mom\">donations to struggling families\u003c/a> during the pandemic. Swift can even indirectly impel the government to take action, as she did with \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/virginieberger/2024/06/14/how-taylor-swifts-ticketing-fiasco-fuels-dojs-live-nation-antitrust-lawsuit/\">the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster\u003c/a>. The singer, said Hills, “has so much sway. She does so much good.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But she also acknowledges that wanting famous people to be involved in politics is a “double-edged sword.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/elon-musk\">Elon Musk\u003c/a> right now is just going off the rails, and he has so much money and is influencing things,” she said. “I don’t think because you have endless amounts of money that you should have political sway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Expectations of ‘Miss Americana’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Concisely explaining the singer’s relationship to her public over the past two decades can be difficult, \u003ca href=\"https://annehelen.substack.com/p/taylor-swift-and-the-good-girl-trap\">even contentious\u003c/a>, especially when it comes to politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How one views Taylor Swift – the figure, the singer, even the activist – often depends on how attuned they are to the latest news around her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I know that we’ve had the Vienna situation,” said 27-year-old Sacramento resident Alondra Monrroy, who is supporting Kamala Harris. “She’s only one person, but she has a lot of power, so I do hope she’ll speak about [the election]. But at the same time, I understand why she doesn’t.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963716\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963716\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marcos Alvarado (left) and Alondra Monrrov pose for a photograph outside of Ace of Spades in Sacramento before attending ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ on Aug. 31, 2024. Monrroy donned a ‘Reputation’-inspired look – in part hoping for Swift to soon release her re-recorded version of her sixth studio album. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Monrroy was referencing an incident in late August, when authorities thwarted an attack \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-cia-vienna-concerts-foiled-attack-7e454af63efcff2a3ab0a20c718aba8d#\">intended to kill thousands\u003c/a> at Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna – reminding many of the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/manchester-ariana-grande-concert-bombing-lawsuit-f2e8298cb045501eff5245392522d29c\">2017 bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester\u003c/a> that killed 22 people. Swift waited to comment on the incident until the European leg of her tour had concluded, saying that, “The reasons for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows,” her statement read. “In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13960424'] Swift’s social media has gone dark since.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Most people are mad that she stayed quiet [about the Vienna cancellation],” said 19-year-old Leslie Rewinkle. “I’m not sure if it was just that one concert that was going to have people killed or if it was multiple after that, but I’m glad that she stayed quiet. Solely for the fact of protecting everybody and the vicinity of it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ll ask from her just for her to stay true to herself,” she added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963713\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963713\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Swifites sing their hearts out to ‘You Belong With Me’ during ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Over the years, the rollercoaster of her public image hurdles on – even without her saying \u003ca href=\"https://variety.com/2020/music/features/taylor-swift-politics-sundance-documentary-miss-americana-1203471910/\">very much about politics at all\u003c/a>: In 2017, she was praised online by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/taylor-swift-alt-right-icon\">alt-right\u003c/a>, who hailed her as their icon. By the 2020s, conservative outlets and Republicans were decrying her as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.newsweek.com/republican-bizarre-accusation-taylor-swift-witchcraft-1836328\">practitioner of witchcraft\u003c/a> and pledging a “\u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-more-popular-taylor-swift-maga-biden-1234956829/\">holy war\u003c/a>” against her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump’s presidency encouraged many celebrities to speak vocally about politics, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.theverge.com/interface/2020/1/16/21067483/chris-evans-starting-point-vanity-project-captain-america-democracy\">varying degrees of success\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.thecut.com/article/womans-world-review-katy-perry-is-stuck-in-2016.html\">savviness\u003c/a>. But for Swift, she \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/BopoXpYnCes/?hl=en\">made waves\u003c/a> when she made her first endorsement of a candidate – a Democrat – in 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13936377\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13936377\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238.jpg\" alt=\"A slender young white woman with long blonde hair throws her arms out to her sides, mid-performance, with a sea of dry ice behind her. She is wearing a one-legged black bodysuit embellished with red snakes and holding a microphone in her right hand.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1471\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-800x613.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-1020x781.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-768x588.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-1536x1177.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift performs during ‘The Eras Tour’ on March 17, 2023.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Miss Americana\u003c/em>, a self-made 2020 documentary about Swift, revealed that the singer pushed hard for this endorsement. In one pivotal scene, Swift is surrounded by mostly men – including her father – who are seen vocally dissuading her from endorsing the Democratic Tennessee senatorial candidate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Watching the documentary, the legacy of female country band The Chicks clearly loomed large over her management’s heads. The female country band, once beloved, were \u003ca href=\"https://19thnews.org/2023/03/the-chicks-silenced-politics-20-years-influence-country-music/\">viciously ostracized\u003c/a> by the music industry and fans after expressing anger for then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq invasion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Swift cited her strong reaction against Trump – and the Republican senatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn, whom she saw as a threat to \u003ca href=\"https://variety.com/2020/music/features/taylor-swift-politics-sundance-documentary-miss-americana-1203471910/\">feminism and LGBTQ+ rights\u003c/a> – as a need to be “the right side of history.” In fact, the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJU-S1t2r1M\">Only the Young\u003c/a>,” released with \u003cem>Miss Americana\u003c/em>, directly references the kind of despair her young fans may be feeling due to the Republican presidency: “It keeps me awake / The look on your face / The moment you heard the news / You’re screaming inside.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1266392274549776387?lang=en\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963717\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1114\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM.png 1114w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-800x309.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-1020x394.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-160x62.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-768x296.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1114px) 100vw, 1114px\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since, Swift has been vocal about women’s rights and supporting Democrats, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/taylor-swift-endorses-joe-biden-president-n1242483\">endorsed Joe Biden in 2020\u003c/a>. In the midst of her wildly popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets\">Eras world tour\u003c/a>, her critics from the left often say she is not doing enough. Most recently, Swift’s been criticized for not pushing back publicly against Trump for \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/30/nx-s1-5087913/donald-trump-artificial-intelligence-memes-deepfakes-taylor-swift\">his use of AI images of her\u003c/a>, fabricating an endorsement for him. (It’s worth noting that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/taylor-swift-sue-trump-truth-social-post-ai-rcna167380\">legal recourse\u003c/a> for using AI is generally still pretty fuzzy.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13868272\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13868272\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"843\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861.jpg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-1020x573.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-1200x674.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift performs during a Tiny Desk concert on Oct. 10, 2019. \u003ccite>(Bob Boilen/NPR)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>These are not people who hate Taylor Swift, necessarily. Some of her harshest critics are her fans. The inherent intimacy of this kind of fandom, combined with the platform for one’s thoughts that social media provides, has for many turned the role of ‘fan’ into a kind of policing force, watching and commenting and posting on a singer’s personal life – mostly \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/why-do-harry-styles-fans-hate-olivia-wilde\">their romantic life\u003c/a>. Swift \u003ca href=\"https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-really-hates-matty-healy-and-also-maybe-us\">expressed distaste\u003c/a> for this kind of fan behavior in a recent song, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2W173hRfyA\">But Daddy I Love Him\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>19-year-old Tae Siera, who was attending the Sacramento Swift party with Rewinkle, said that fans who are too young to vote – and feel like they cannot make change – try to express their opinions \u003cem>by\u003c/em> putting pressure on celebrities to speak out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think it’s important for celebrities to somewhat say, ‘Here’s where I stand,’” said Siera. But then fans need to “go out there and make change.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963718\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963718\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leslie Rewinkle (left) and Tae Siera show their friendship bracelets while waiting in line to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Write \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">letters to your local Congress\u003c/a>. You can talk to your parents to see if they’re voting the way that you want to. Try to educate the adults in your life, because a lot of them actually are not as informed as you think they are,” Siera said. “[Swift] can only do so much, and then it’s up to everyone else to really make that change themselves.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the issues on top of Swifties’ minds?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While the Swift fans in Sacramento also cited concerns over immigration justice, LGBTQ+ rights and student-loan forgiveness as electoral priorities for November, attendees overwhelmingly said they were worried about attacks on abortion. 20-year-old Karen Solano said she felt fear for how America is “just going back” on reproductive rights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like a lot of people don’t know how devastating it is for women right now,” Solano said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963719\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1390px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963719\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1390\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_.jpg 1390w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-800x384.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-1020x489.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-768x369.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1390px) 100vw, 1390px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Karen Solano, Debora Rosales and Selne Rosales stand in line on R Street waiting to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. At right, Solano’s ‘Speak Now’ necklace. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>26-year-old Debora Rosales, waiting in line alongside Solano, agreed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The rights that women have worked so hard for – just how hard they work to get to where we are – and to have that be so easily taken away from us … It’s just really heartbreaking,” said Rosales. “We just got to keep fighting and got to keep being outspoken about everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13955679']Like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11999092/olivia-rodrigo-fans-abortion-kamala-harris-election-2024\">fellow pop star Olivia Rodrigo\u003c/a>, Swift herself has \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1540382753677627393?lang=en\">commented\u003c/a> on the overturn of Roe vs. Wade: “I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are — that after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s the type of statement that Christina Parker, 35, and Courtney Parker, 31, appreciate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She’s very verbal about where she stands, which is pretty incredible, especially coming from a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/teardrops-on-her-guitar-taylor-swifts-10-countriest-songs-164352/\">background of country\u003c/a>,” said Christina. It “shouldn’t be a question” if she or anyone has an ectopic pregnancy and may need a procedure to save her life, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1494px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963720\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1494\" height=\"739\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_.jpg 1494w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-800x396.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-1020x505.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-160x79.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-768x380.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1494px) 100vw, 1494px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">At left, Taylor swift fans Courtney Parker and Christina Parker show their friendship bracelets while waiting in line; at right, Courtney Parker (left) and Christina Parker wait in line on R Street to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The two say they also see themselves in Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the Vice Presidential role.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s an emotional time, honestly,” Christina said. “Especially looking how we look and how we present, and having somebody who is running for office that looks and represents us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My hope is that if Kamala wins, Taylor performs at her inauguration,” said Courtney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963722\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ashly Smith and Maddy Meckel showcase their friendship bracelets before attending ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. Smith has several tattoos dedicated to Taylor Swift – including one that reminds her of her mother, who passed away when Smith was 19. ‘She always did these dances [to Swift’s songs]. Now I look back and I’m like, ‘Those were the cutest things in the whole world.’’ \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>26-year-olds Ashly Smith and Maddey Meckel said they ultimately hope Swift will eventually publicly endorse Harris – especially because of the galvanizing effect it would have on the youth vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the first election I’m going to vote in,” Meckel said, “that I actually feel proud to vote for a candidate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Read more stories of pop-culture fandoms and the election in the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003cem>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>\u003c/em>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the dry heat on a recent Saturday in Sacramento, just half a mile from the state Capitol, a long line of fans waited outside a downtown nightclub to attend a dedicated Taylor Swift party.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of these fans was Rachel Hills, who walked the line at \u003ca href=\"https://www.aceofspadessac.com/\">Ace of Spades\u003c/a> handing black Sharpies to those around her, inviting them to write the name of a man who had wronged them on her long, white ball gown she was wearing – a new Swiftie tradition that references the singer’s 2024 song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atdzfj8LcuY\">The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived\u003c/a>.” Hills promised she would burn the dress after the show in a form of cathartic release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among the scribbled names of ex-boyfriends and family members, someone had written a familiar name at the bottom of Hills’ dress: “Donald Trump.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963714\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963714\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rachel Hills asks a fellow Taylor Swift fan to write on her dress at a Taylor Swift dance party in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Politics is a recurring topic among Taylor Swift’s fanbase, and Swifties – like \u003ca href=\"https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/16/1067943/kpop-fans-shaping-elections-worldwide/\">K-Pop stans\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/3/16042806/beyonce-beyhive-online-fan-forum-b7c7226ac16d\">the BeyHive\u003c/a> – are known for being diligent organizers. In August, more than 34,000 attendees tuned in to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13963325/swifties-for-kamala-harris-trump-taylor-swift-fans\">“Swifties for Kamala” Zoom call\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hills said that before Biden stepped aside in July, she’d felt anxiety and dread about a possible second Trump presidency. But then, “Kamala came in and I just, all of a sudden, felt a seed of hope,” she told KQED, specifically citing Harris’ stance on reproductive rights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Earlier in her life, Hills “had to \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_reduction\">selectively reduce\u003c/a> because I was pregnant with conjoined twins and a third baby,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to make that decision to save my one daughter’s life if that [procedure] hadn’t been in play … It’s so important for people to have that option, and to be able to make those decisions based on what their doctors are helping them with.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her daughter is now 16 – and Hills is thinking about the world that she will grow up in. She wants her teen, like all teens, to “feel the freedom to do what they need to do.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They are a generation that pull no punches. They are so smart, and they just do things differently,” she said. “I have so much hope for them. But they need a place to start from.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963715\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963715\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jessica Sanchez (left) and Rachel Hill have been fans of Taylor Swift for 10 years and were eager to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To Hills, it often feels like Swift is “doing things that you would expect the government to do to help,” referencing Swift’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/f/qyxww9-washington-post-mom\">donations to struggling families\u003c/a> during the pandemic. Swift can even indirectly impel the government to take action, as she did with \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/virginieberger/2024/06/14/how-taylor-swifts-ticketing-fiasco-fuels-dojs-live-nation-antitrust-lawsuit/\">the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster\u003c/a>. The singer, said Hills, “has so much sway. She does so much good.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But she also acknowledges that wanting famous people to be involved in politics is a “double-edged sword.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/elon-musk\">Elon Musk\u003c/a> right now is just going off the rails, and he has so much money and is influencing things,” she said. “I don’t think because you have endless amounts of money that you should have political sway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Expectations of ‘Miss Americana’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Concisely explaining the singer’s relationship to her public over the past two decades can be difficult, \u003ca href=\"https://annehelen.substack.com/p/taylor-swift-and-the-good-girl-trap\">even contentious\u003c/a>, especially when it comes to politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How one views Taylor Swift – the figure, the singer, even the activist – often depends on how attuned they are to the latest news around her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I know that we’ve had the Vienna situation,” said 27-year-old Sacramento resident Alondra Monrroy, who is supporting Kamala Harris. “She’s only one person, but she has a lot of power, so I do hope she’ll speak about [the election]. But at the same time, I understand why she doesn’t.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963716\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963716\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marcos Alvarado (left) and Alondra Monrrov pose for a photograph outside of Ace of Spades in Sacramento before attending ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ on Aug. 31, 2024. Monrroy donned a ‘Reputation’-inspired look – in part hoping for Swift to soon release her re-recorded version of her sixth studio album. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Monrroy was referencing an incident in late August, when authorities thwarted an attack \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-cia-vienna-concerts-foiled-attack-7e454af63efcff2a3ab0a20c718aba8d#\">intended to kill thousands\u003c/a> at Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna – reminding many of the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/manchester-ariana-grande-concert-bombing-lawsuit-f2e8298cb045501eff5245392522d29c\">2017 bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester\u003c/a> that killed 22 people. Swift waited to comment on the incident until the European leg of her tour had concluded, saying that, “The reasons for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows,” her statement read. “In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp> Swift’s social media has gone dark since.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Most people are mad that she stayed quiet [about the Vienna cancellation],” said 19-year-old Leslie Rewinkle. “I’m not sure if it was just that one concert that was going to have people killed or if it was multiple after that, but I’m glad that she stayed quiet. Solely for the fact of protecting everybody and the vicinity of it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’ll ask from her just for her to stay true to herself,” she added.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963713\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963713\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Swifites sing their hearts out to ‘You Belong With Me’ during ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Over the years, the rollercoaster of her public image hurdles on – even without her saying \u003ca href=\"https://variety.com/2020/music/features/taylor-swift-politics-sundance-documentary-miss-americana-1203471910/\">very much about politics at all\u003c/a>: In 2017, she was praised online by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/taylor-swift-alt-right-icon\">alt-right\u003c/a>, who hailed her as their icon. By the 2020s, conservative outlets and Republicans were decrying her as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.newsweek.com/republican-bizarre-accusation-taylor-swift-witchcraft-1836328\">practitioner of witchcraft\u003c/a> and pledging a “\u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-more-popular-taylor-swift-maga-biden-1234956829/\">holy war\u003c/a>” against her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Trump’s presidency encouraged many celebrities to speak vocally about politics, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.theverge.com/interface/2020/1/16/21067483/chris-evans-starting-point-vanity-project-captain-america-democracy\">varying degrees of success\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.thecut.com/article/womans-world-review-katy-perry-is-stuck-in-2016.html\">savviness\u003c/a>. But for Swift, she \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/BopoXpYnCes/?hl=en\">made waves\u003c/a> when she made her first endorsement of a candidate – a Democrat – in 2018.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13936377\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13936377\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238.jpg\" alt=\"A slender young white woman with long blonde hair throws her arms out to her sides, mid-performance, with a sea of dry ice behind her. She is wearing a one-legged black bodysuit embellished with red snakes and holding a microphone in her right hand.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1471\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-800x613.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-1020x781.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-160x123.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-768x588.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/GettyImages-1474269174-scaled-e1697219621238-1536x1177.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift performs during ‘The Eras Tour’ on March 17, 2023.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Miss Americana\u003c/em>, a self-made 2020 documentary about Swift, revealed that the singer pushed hard for this endorsement. In one pivotal scene, Swift is surrounded by mostly men – including her father – who are seen vocally dissuading her from endorsing the Democratic Tennessee senatorial candidate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Watching the documentary, the legacy of female country band The Chicks clearly loomed large over her management’s heads. The female country band, once beloved, were \u003ca href=\"https://19thnews.org/2023/03/the-chicks-silenced-politics-20-years-influence-country-music/\">viciously ostracized\u003c/a> by the music industry and fans after expressing anger for then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq invasion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Swift cited her strong reaction against Trump – and the Republican senatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn, whom she saw as a threat to \u003ca href=\"https://variety.com/2020/music/features/taylor-swift-politics-sundance-documentary-miss-americana-1203471910/\">feminism and LGBTQ+ rights\u003c/a> – as a need to be “the right side of history.” In fact, the song “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJU-S1t2r1M\">Only the Young\u003c/a>,” released with \u003cem>Miss Americana\u003c/em>, directly references the kind of despair her young fans may be feeling due to the Republican presidency: “It keeps me awake / The look on your face / The moment you heard the news / You’re screaming inside.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1266392274549776387?lang=en\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963717\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1114\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM.png 1114w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-800x309.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-1020x394.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-160x62.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-05-at-12.07.12-PM-768x296.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1114px) 100vw, 1114px\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since, Swift has been vocal about women’s rights and supporting Democrats, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/taylor-swift-endorses-joe-biden-president-n1242483\">endorsed Joe Biden in 2020\u003c/a>. In the midst of her wildly popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets\">Eras world tour\u003c/a>, her critics from the left often say she is not doing enough. Most recently, Swift’s been criticized for not pushing back publicly against Trump for \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/30/nx-s1-5087913/donald-trump-artificial-intelligence-memes-deepfakes-taylor-swift\">his use of AI images of her\u003c/a>, fabricating an endorsement for him. (It’s worth noting that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/taylor-swift-sue-trump-truth-social-post-ai-rcna167380\">legal recourse\u003c/a> for using AI is generally still pretty fuzzy.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13868272\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13868272\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"843\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861.jpg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-1020x573.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/taylorswift-bboilen02_wide-dbc4e595dab7bf7e15d7a9a788dd5548d61e4861-1200x674.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Taylor Swift performs during a Tiny Desk concert on Oct. 10, 2019. \u003ccite>(Bob Boilen/NPR)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>These are not people who hate Taylor Swift, necessarily. Some of her harshest critics are her fans. The inherent intimacy of this kind of fandom, combined with the platform for one’s thoughts that social media provides, has for many turned the role of ‘fan’ into a kind of policing force, watching and commenting and posting on a singer’s personal life – mostly \u003ca href=\"https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/why-do-harry-styles-fans-hate-olivia-wilde\">their romantic life\u003c/a>. Swift \u003ca href=\"https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-really-hates-matty-healy-and-also-maybe-us\">expressed distaste\u003c/a> for this kind of fan behavior in a recent song, “\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2W173hRfyA\">But Daddy I Love Him\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>19-year-old Tae Siera, who was attending the Sacramento Swift party with Rewinkle, said that fans who are too young to vote – and feel like they cannot make change – try to express their opinions \u003cem>by\u003c/em> putting pressure on celebrities to speak out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think it’s important for celebrities to somewhat say, ‘Here’s where I stand,’” said Siera. But then fans need to “go out there and make change.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963718\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963718\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-5-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leslie Rewinkle (left) and Tae Siera show their friendship bracelets while waiting in line to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Write \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11967439/how-can-i-call-my-representative-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-process\">letters to your local Congress\u003c/a>. You can talk to your parents to see if they’re voting the way that you want to. Try to educate the adults in your life, because a lot of them actually are not as informed as you think they are,” Siera said. “[Swift] can only do so much, and then it’s up to everyone else to really make that change themselves.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the issues on top of Swifties’ minds?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While the Swift fans in Sacramento also cited concerns over immigration justice, LGBTQ+ rights and student-loan forgiveness as electoral priorities for November, attendees overwhelmingly said they were worried about attacks on abortion. 20-year-old Karen Solano said she felt fear for how America is “just going back” on reproductive rights.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like a lot of people don’t know how devastating it is for women right now,” Solano said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963719\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1390px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963719\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1390\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_.jpg 1390w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-800x384.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-1020x489.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-160x77.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dipt.tay_-768x369.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1390px) 100vw, 1390px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Karen Solano, Debora Rosales and Selne Rosales stand in line on R Street waiting to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. At right, Solano’s ‘Speak Now’ necklace. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>26-year-old Debora Rosales, waiting in line alongside Solano, agreed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The rights that women have worked so hard for – just how hard they work to get to where we are – and to have that be so easily taken away from us … It’s just really heartbreaking,” said Rosales. “We just got to keep fighting and got to keep being outspoken about everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11999092/olivia-rodrigo-fans-abortion-kamala-harris-election-2024\">fellow pop star Olivia Rodrigo\u003c/a>, Swift herself has \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1540382753677627393?lang=en\">commented\u003c/a> on the overturn of Roe vs. Wade: “I’m absolutely terrified that this is where we are — that after so many decades of people fighting for women’s rights to their own bodies, today’s decision has stripped us of that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s the type of statement that Christina Parker, 35, and Courtney Parker, 31, appreciate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“She’s very verbal about where she stands, which is pretty incredible, especially coming from a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/teardrops-on-her-guitar-taylor-swifts-10-countriest-songs-164352/\">background of country\u003c/a>,” said Christina. It “shouldn’t be a question” if she or anyone has an ectopic pregnancy and may need a procedure to save her life, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1494px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963720\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1494\" height=\"739\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_.jpg 1494w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-800x396.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-1020x505.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-160x79.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/dip2.tay_-768x380.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1494px) 100vw, 1494px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">At left, Taylor swift fans Courtney Parker and Christina Parker show their friendship bracelets while waiting in line; at right, Courtney Parker (left) and Christina Parker wait in line on R Street to attend ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The two say they also see themselves in Kamala Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the Vice Presidential role.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s an emotional time, honestly,” Christina said. “Especially looking how we look and how we present, and having somebody who is running for office that looks and represents us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My hope is that if Kamala wins, Taylor performs at her inauguration,” said Courtney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13963722\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1200px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13963722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/download-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ashly Smith and Maddy Meckel showcase their friendship bracelets before attending ‘The Taylor Party: Taylor Night’ at Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2024. Smith has several tattoos dedicated to Taylor Swift – including one that reminds her of her mother, who passed away when Smith was 19. ‘She always did these dances [to Swift’s songs]. Now I look back and I’m like, ‘Those were the cutest things in the whole world.’’ \u003ccite>(Madelaine Church for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>26-year-olds Ashly Smith and Maddey Meckel said they ultimately hope Swift will eventually publicly endorse Harris – especially because of the galvanizing effect it would have on the youth vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the first election I’m going to vote in,” Meckel said, “that I actually feel proud to vote for a candidate.”\u003c/p>\n\u003chr>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Read more stories of pop-culture fandoms and the election in the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Decked out in their friendship bracelets and ready with a long list of song-related puns, Taylor Swift fans came together Tuesday night. But they weren’t there for a concert. They were there to organize.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Welcome to the Swifties for Kamala kickoff call. It’s been waiting for you,” Irene Kim, the executive director and co-founder of the group, said with a smile.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The grassroots organization, which is affiliated neither with Swift nor the Harris campaign – launched hours after President Biden ended his presidential bid and Vice President Harris took over the ticket, is focused on mobilizing Swift fans to get out the vote for Democrats this fall. It’s the latest in a \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-30/2024-election-white-dudes-black-women-identity-groups-harris\">\u003cu>growing list of coalitions\u003c/u>\u003c/a> taking \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/08/g-s1-15974/tim-walz-kamala-harris-men-for-harris-dudes-for-harris\">\u003cu>action for Harris\u003c/u>\u003c/a>, including ‘White Dudes for Harris,’ which reported having nearly 200,000 attendees and raising more than $4 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='news_11999092']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swifties for Harris held its first organizing call on Zoom Tuesday night and featured appearances from a handful of progressive political leaders – including Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with an appearance from musician and long-time Swift friend Carole King.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the call ended, the group reported raising more than $122,000 for Harris’ campaign, growing to nearly $150,000 by Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp><a href=\"https://twitter.com/Swifties4Kamala/status/1828607576382296208\"\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1172\" height=\"502\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963329\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM.png 1172w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-800x343.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-1020x437.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-160x69.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-768x329.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1172px) 100vw, 1172px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The gathering of more than 34,000 was another glimpse into the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/26/nx-s1-5080604/democrats-young-voters\">\u003cu>organic enthusiasm\u003c/u>\u003c/a> that Harris has benefited from in the past month since announcing, and while the Swift fan base spans generations, it’s another potentially promising sign for her standing with the youth vote – a critical voting bloc for Democrats this fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Swift backed Biden four years ago, she has yet to publicly endorse in the presidential race. Still, her ability to rally her fans to political causes is unquestioned: In 2018, when she endorsed two Democratic congressional candidates in her home state of Tennessee, the voter group Vote.org reported \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-bump-midterm-elections-analysis-8484000/\">\u003cu>65,000 new voter registrations\u003c/u>\u003c/a> in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13955679']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among voters under 30 – who played a critical role in Biden’s win four years ago, Swift is a powerful symbol. She’s massively celebrated among many of this target generation, who have known the country-turned-pop star for most of their lives. Swift’s debut album – which was released in the fall of 2006 – is nearly the same age as an 18-year-old eligible voter today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group’s co-founders, Kim, 29, and Emerald Medrano, 22, addressed the thousands of attendees while sporting the number 47 written on their hands – a nod to Harris and Swift, who does the same with her lucky number 13.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was my wish that me and this beautiful movement could help Kamala [Harris] win this election and become our first woman president and the 47th President of the United States,” said Medrano.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because things will change, and we have the power to do it through the way we bead our friendship bracelets red, white and blue and decorate our debate parties as if they were album [release] parties,” he added. “The way we show others how voting should be celebrated and not tolerated.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each speaker shared a collective pitch: attendees need to turn their love story for Swift into momentum for Harris and Democrats down the ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>King, who has long supported Democratic candidates, shared her personal experience canvassing for candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Don’t be afraid because there is nothing to lose and everything to gain … The key is listening,” she said. “Don’t be afraid. There is too much at stake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many politicians on the call took their Swift-related mentions seriously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13960424']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In his speech, Markey delivered more of a call to action and took jabs at former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump – someone Swift has criticized in \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1294685437362155522\">\u003cu>the past\u003c/u>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are just five fortnights until Election Day, but we are not out of the woods yet,” he said, “We have our work ahead of us to make sure we defeat this antihero wannabe, or as I like to call him, ‘Mr. Casually Cruel, Mr. Everything Revolves Around You.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In the words of Taylor Swift, ‘I never trust a narcissist,’” Markey added. “And this narcissist in chief clearly doesn’t know enough about karma or what I like to call the infinite organizing power of the Swifties on this Zoom call.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The senior Senator from Massachusetts is no stranger to Swift-lyric-easter eggs. After he staved off a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III, supporters of the senator repeatedly referenced the Swift song, “the last great american dynasty,” poking fun at Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/Students4Markey/status/1286706208003555329\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1180\" height=\"902\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963328\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM.png 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-800x612.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-1020x780.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-160x122.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-768x587.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though the speakers on the call tried to weave light-hearted pop culture references into their remarks, the group’s organizers made a point to stress the legitimacy and seriousness of their work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think one thing that maybe the media doesn’t always get right is that Swifties are just about making little posts and little bracelets. And we do do those things for sure, but I think you can see with the intentionality of this call that we really have had a lot of thought in making sure everyone is included,” said Annie Wu, the group’s political director. “We are providing opportunities, and we are really giving the resources for people to be involved and civically engage this cycle. ”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The call also had an immediate ask of its participants: Register to vote. By the end of the call, 14,000 reported registering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group also put out an ask with a \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Swifties4Kamala/status/1828614864513966201\">\u003cu>coveted reward\u003c/u>\u003c/a>: Attendees who get people in their community to check their voter registration get entered into a contest to win tickets to a Swift concert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Entries increase in value if the person they reach is a low-frequency voter, unregistered or lives in a swing state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group plans to have additional organizing events as the election continues since there are indeed only five fortnights left.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Decked out in their friendship bracelets and ready with a long list of song-related puns, Taylor Swift fans came together Tuesday night. But they weren’t there for a concert. They were there to organize.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Welcome to the Swifties for Kamala kickoff call. It’s been waiting for you,” Irene Kim, the executive director and co-founder of the group, said with a smile.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The grassroots organization, which is affiliated neither with Swift nor the Harris campaign – launched hours after President Biden ended his presidential bid and Vice President Harris took over the ticket, is focused on mobilizing Swift fans to get out the vote for Democrats this fall. It’s the latest in a \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-30/2024-election-white-dudes-black-women-identity-groups-harris\">\u003cu>growing list of coalitions\u003c/u>\u003c/a> taking \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/08/g-s1-15974/tim-walz-kamala-harris-men-for-harris-dudes-for-harris\">\u003cu>action for Harris\u003c/u>\u003c/a>, including ‘White Dudes for Harris,’ which reported having nearly 200,000 attendees and raising more than $4 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Swifties for Harris held its first organizing call on Zoom Tuesday night and featured appearances from a handful of progressive political leaders – including Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with an appearance from musician and long-time Swift friend Carole King.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the call ended, the group reported raising more than $122,000 for Harris’ campaign, growing to nearly $150,000 by Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp><a href=\"https://twitter.com/Swifties4Kamala/status/1828607576382296208\"\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1172\" height=\"502\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963329\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM.png 1172w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-800x343.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-1020x437.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-160x69.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.19-AM-768x329.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1172px) 100vw, 1172px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The gathering of more than 34,000 was another glimpse into the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/08/26/nx-s1-5080604/democrats-young-voters\">\u003cu>organic enthusiasm\u003c/u>\u003c/a> that Harris has benefited from in the past month since announcing, and while the Swift fan base spans generations, it’s another potentially promising sign for her standing with the youth vote – a critical voting bloc for Democrats this fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While Swift backed Biden four years ago, she has yet to publicly endorse in the presidential race. Still, her ability to rally her fans to political causes is unquestioned: In 2018, when she endorsed two Democratic congressional candidates in her home state of Tennessee, the voter group Vote.org reported \u003ca href=\"https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-bump-midterm-elections-analysis-8484000/\">\u003cu>65,000 new voter registrations\u003c/u>\u003c/a> in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Among voters under 30 – who played a critical role in Biden’s win four years ago, Swift is a powerful symbol. She’s massively celebrated among many of this target generation, who have known the country-turned-pop star for most of their lives. Swift’s debut album – which was released in the fall of 2006 – is nearly the same age as an 18-year-old eligible voter today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group’s co-founders, Kim, 29, and Emerald Medrano, 22, addressed the thousands of attendees while sporting the number 47 written on their hands – a nod to Harris and Swift, who does the same with her lucky number 13.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was my wish that me and this beautiful movement could help Kamala [Harris] win this election and become our first woman president and the 47th President of the United States,” said Medrano.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Because things will change, and we have the power to do it through the way we bead our friendship bracelets red, white and blue and decorate our debate parties as if they were album [release] parties,” he added. “The way we show others how voting should be celebrated and not tolerated.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each speaker shared a collective pitch: attendees need to turn their love story for Swift into momentum for Harris and Democrats down the ballot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>King, who has long supported Democratic candidates, shared her personal experience canvassing for candidates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Don’t be afraid because there is nothing to lose and everything to gain … The key is listening,” she said. “Don’t be afraid. There is too much at stake.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many politicians on the call took their Swift-related mentions seriously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In his speech, Markey delivered more of a call to action and took jabs at former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump – someone Swift has criticized in \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1294685437362155522\">\u003cu>the past\u003c/u>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are just five fortnights until Election Day, but we are not out of the woods yet,” he said, “We have our work ahead of us to make sure we defeat this antihero wannabe, or as I like to call him, ‘Mr. Casually Cruel, Mr. Everything Revolves Around You.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In the words of Taylor Swift, ‘I never trust a narcissist,’” Markey added. “And this narcissist in chief clearly doesn’t know enough about karma or what I like to call the infinite organizing power of the Swifties on this Zoom call.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The senior Senator from Massachusetts is no stranger to Swift-lyric-easter eggs. After he staved off a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy III, supporters of the senator repeatedly referenced the Swift song, “the last great american dynasty,” poking fun at Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/Students4Markey/status/1286706208003555329\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1180\" height=\"902\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13963328\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM.png 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-800x612.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-1020x780.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-160x122.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-28-at-10.55.32-AM-768x587.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\">\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though the speakers on the call tried to weave light-hearted pop culture references into their remarks, the group’s organizers made a point to stress the legitimacy and seriousness of their work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think one thing that maybe the media doesn’t always get right is that Swifties are just about making little posts and little bracelets. And we do do those things for sure, but I think you can see with the intentionality of this call that we really have had a lot of thought in making sure everyone is included,” said Annie Wu, the group’s political director. “We are providing opportunities, and we are really giving the resources for people to be involved and civically engage this cycle. ”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The call also had an immediate ask of its participants: Register to vote. By the end of the call, 14,000 reported registering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group also put out an ask with a \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/Swifties4Kamala/status/1828614864513966201\">\u003cu>coveted reward\u003c/u>\u003c/a>: Attendees who get people in their community to check their voter registration get entered into a contest to win tickets to a Swift concert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Entries increase in value if the person they reach is a low-frequency voter, unregistered or lives in a swing state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group plans to have additional organizing events as the election continues since there are indeed only five fortnights left.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "megan-thee-stallion-stans-hotties-election-biden-trump-san-francisco",
"title": "Megan Thee Stallion Stans Are Salty Over Their Choice of Candidates",
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"headTitle": "Megan Thee Stallion Stans Are Salty Over Their Choice of Candidates | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]M[/dropcap]egan Thee Stallion fans from the Bay Area and beyond flocked to San Francisco’s Chase Center on June 23 for the rapper’s Hot Girl Summer Tour.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As anticipation filled the air outside the arena, we talked with Megan Thee Stallion fans, known as \u003ca href=\"https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxkishlal/megan-thee-stallion-fans\">Hotties\u003c/a>, about what they admire about the rap star — and, evidently, what they do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> admire about the candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960247\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960247\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Abby Nation (left) and her fiancé Emma Gray pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center on Sunday, June 23, 2024, during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour. Gray said Palestine is among the top concerns on her mind during this election. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Emma Gray, who lives near Stockton, came to see Megan Thee Stallion with her fiancé, Abby Nation. “It’s very disappointing that I don’t feel there is a candidate that I can trust to end genocide,” Gray said. “I would vote for a third party, [even if] I know it’s probably not going to result in that person being elected,” she explained. “But I’m also not going to put my vote to someone who is causing so much harm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960238\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960238\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From Left: Adrienne Williams, Erica Williams, Lauryn Major and Jasmine Cannon pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“For me, the most important thing is to free Palestine,” echoed Lauryn Major, who showed up to the concert with three of her friends. “That’s the only thing that I’m voting on this year.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adding to Major’s comment, her friend Jasmine Cannon listed some of her priorities: “Ceasefire, reproductive rights, voting access, education, funding libraries, decriminalizing weed and other nonviolent crimes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960244\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960244\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Christian, who declined to give her last name, poses for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Christian considers President Biden her only option of the two leading candidates, but is conflicted due to his support of Israel. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Christian, who declined to give her last name, flew in for the show from Arkansas. She said she “doesn’t really like either of [the candidates], but Biden is better.” Still, she’s upset by Biden’s continued support of Israel and “sending money to help kill other people […] when we should be helping our citizens.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960450\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1746px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1746\" height=\"1280\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13960450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych.jpg 1746w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-800x586.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-1020x748.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-160x117.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-768x563.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-1536x1126.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1746px) 100vw, 1746px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kierunya Davis, who brought a bouquet of flowers, poses in her custom Megan The Stallion-inspired outfit outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kierunya Davis flew in from Compton bearing gifts for Megan Thee Stallion, who later accepted them on stage. “White men do not speak for the majority,” Davis said. “We deserve better as brown and black people — for somebody to actually make promises and follow through.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960236\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960236\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alex Cruz (left) and Katarina Ruiz pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Cruz has reproductive and immigration rights front of mind this election year. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Self-identified Hottie Alex Cruz said she’s anxious about the election, “especially with Roe v. Wade recently being overturned.” She said it’s “disappointing that Biden hasn’t been able to do more” regarding reproductive rights and immigration reform, but clarified that she is “probably just going to end up voting for him anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960231\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960231\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mia Williams poses for a portrait in her Starfire superhero costume outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Williams isn’t happy with the choice of presidential candidates in the upcoming election. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mia Williams, from Seattle, also traveled hundreds of miles to see Megan Thee Stallion. “She stands up for body positivity and she helped push female rap to where it is,” Williams said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When asked about the election, Williams was less hopeful. “I feel like regardless, it’s a bad choice,” she said. “I don’t know how [Joe Biden] could do another four years,” she said, “and [Donald Trump] is just a bigot.” She continued, “Also, he’s a felon now, so I don’t think a felon should be a president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960243\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960243\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mourice Grey (left) and Karl Daniels pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mourice Grey and Karl Daniels both live in San Leandro, and cited rent control, women’s rights and queer rights as their top concerns this year. “[Trump] broke the law, so he should not get the opportunity,” Daniels noted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960242\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960242\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From Left: Iyobosa Igbinake, Ayah Benjamin, Aminah Benjamin, Ifela Hayes pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Benjamin has yet to decide if she’ll be voting this year, and said being a young person today is exhausting. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Decked out in Sailor Mars cosplay, Ayah Benjamin said she “hasn’t made a decision yet” on whether she will vote this year. “Capitalism and being a young person in society is genuinely exhausting,” she expressed with frustration. “Civil rights, humanitarian issues and obviously the genocides globally” are her primary concerns in this election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960240\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960240\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Destiny Phan (left) and Jeneveive Kongkham pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Megan Thee Stallion show at the Chase Center was Destiny Phan’s first concert. This year’s election will mark another first, as she’s finally old enough to vote. Phan said it’s been “hard to keep up” with politics this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960246\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960246\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tourean Barnes (right) poses for a portrait with his nephew Javonte Barnes outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Tourean Barnes is unsure if he’ll vote in the next election and said he sees the two leading candidates as entertainers rather than presidents. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tourean Barnes was there to attend the concert with his nephew Javonte Barnes. “My main issue would be the stability of our democracy,” said Tourean, adding that the two front-running candidates are “more like entertainers than presidents.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "Making voters choose between Biden or Trump? For Hotties at Megan's San Francisco show, that's savage.",
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"title": "Megan Thee Stallion Stans Are Salty Over Their Choice of Candidates | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the KQED series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">M\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>egan Thee Stallion fans from the Bay Area and beyond flocked to San Francisco’s Chase Center on June 23 for the rapper’s Hot Girl Summer Tour.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As anticipation filled the air outside the arena, we talked with Megan Thee Stallion fans, known as \u003ca href=\"https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxkishlal/megan-thee-stallion-fans\">Hotties\u003c/a>, about what they admire about the rap star — and, evidently, what they do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> admire about the candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960247\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960247\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_31.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Abby Nation (left) and her fiancé Emma Gray pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center on Sunday, June 23, 2024, during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour. Gray said Palestine is among the top concerns on her mind during this election. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Emma Gray, who lives near Stockton, came to see Megan Thee Stallion with her fiancé, Abby Nation. “It’s very disappointing that I don’t feel there is a candidate that I can trust to end genocide,” Gray said. “I would vote for a third party, [even if] I know it’s probably not going to result in that person being elected,” she explained. “But I’m also not going to put my vote to someone who is causing so much harm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960238\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960238\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_22.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From Left: Adrienne Williams, Erica Williams, Lauryn Major and Jasmine Cannon pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“For me, the most important thing is to free Palestine,” echoed Lauryn Major, who showed up to the concert with three of her friends. “That’s the only thing that I’m voting on this year.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adding to Major’s comment, her friend Jasmine Cannon listed some of her priorities: “Ceasefire, reproductive rights, voting access, education, funding libraries, decriminalizing weed and other nonviolent crimes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960244\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960244\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_28.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Christian, who declined to give her last name, poses for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Christian considers President Biden her only option of the two leading candidates, but is conflicted due to his support of Israel. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Christian, who declined to give her last name, flew in for the show from Arkansas. She said she “doesn’t really like either of [the candidates], but Biden is better.” Still, she’s upset by Biden’s continued support of Israel and “sending money to help kill other people […] when we should be helping our citizens.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960450\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1746px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1746\" height=\"1280\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13960450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych.jpg 1746w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-800x586.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-1020x748.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-160x117.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-768x563.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStalliondiptych-1536x1126.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1746px) 100vw, 1746px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kierunya Davis, who brought a bouquet of flowers, poses in her custom Megan The Stallion-inspired outfit outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Kierunya Davis flew in from Compton bearing gifts for Megan Thee Stallion, who later accepted them on stage. “White men do not speak for the majority,” Davis said. “We deserve better as brown and black people — for somebody to actually make promises and follow through.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960236\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960236\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_20.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alex Cruz (left) and Katarina Ruiz pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Cruz has reproductive and immigration rights front of mind this election year. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Self-identified Hottie Alex Cruz said she’s anxious about the election, “especially with Roe v. Wade recently being overturned.” She said it’s “disappointing that Biden hasn’t been able to do more” regarding reproductive rights and immigration reform, but clarified that she is “probably just going to end up voting for him anyway.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960231\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960231\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_15.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mia Williams poses for a portrait in her Starfire superhero costume outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Williams isn’t happy with the choice of presidential candidates in the upcoming election. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mia Williams, from Seattle, also traveled hundreds of miles to see Megan Thee Stallion. “She stands up for body positivity and she helped push female rap to where it is,” Williams said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When asked about the election, Williams was less hopeful. “I feel like regardless, it’s a bad choice,” she said. “I don’t know how [Joe Biden] could do another four years,” she said, “and [Donald Trump] is just a bigot.” She continued, “Also, he’s a felon now, so I don’t think a felon should be a president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960243\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960243\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_27.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mourice Grey (left) and Karl Daniels pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mourice Grey and Karl Daniels both live in San Leandro, and cited rent control, women’s rights and queer rights as their top concerns this year. “[Trump] broke the law, so he should not get the opportunity,” Daniels noted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960242\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960242\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_26.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">From Left: Iyobosa Igbinake, Ayah Benjamin, Aminah Benjamin, Ifela Hayes pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Benjamin has yet to decide if she’ll be voting this year, and said being a young person today is exhausting. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Decked out in Sailor Mars cosplay, Ayah Benjamin said she “hasn’t made a decision yet” on whether she will vote this year. “Capitalism and being a young person in society is genuinely exhausting,” she expressed with frustration. “Civil rights, humanitarian issues and obviously the genocides globally” are her primary concerns in this election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960240\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960240\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_24.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Destiny Phan (left) and Jeneveive Kongkham pose for a portrait outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Megan Thee Stallion show at the Chase Center was Destiny Phan’s first concert. This year’s election will mark another first, as she’s finally old enough to vote. Phan said it’s been “hard to keep up” with politics this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13960246\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13960246\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240624_MeganTheeStallionPF_EG_30.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tourean Barnes (right) poses for a portrait with his nephew Javonte Barnes outside the Chase Center during Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Tourean Barnes is unsure if he’ll vote in the next election and said he sees the two leading candidates as entertainers rather than presidents. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tourean Barnes was there to attend the concert with his nephew Javonte Barnes. “My main issue would be the stability of our democracy,” said Tourean, adding that the two front-running candidates are “more like entertainers than presidents.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "for-these-young-latino-voters-its-neither-biden-nor-trump",
"title": "For These Young Latino Voters, It’s Neither Biden nor Trump",
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"headTitle": "For These Young Latino Voters, It’s Neither Biden nor Trump | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n a recent Sunday in June, thousands of fans watched rock en español legends La Maldita Vecindad at the first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13959079/photos-la-onda-festival-recap-napa\">Festival La Onda\u003c/a> held at the Napa Valley Expo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dressed head-to-toe in \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230913-pachucos-the-latinx-subculture-that-defied-the-us\">old-school pachuco gear\u003c/a>, the band’s frontman Roco sang a verse from “Los Agachados,” an upbeat song dedicated to eating warm, delicious food while recovering from a hangover. On another stage, Yahritza y Su Esencia, a young group of Mexican American siblings from Washington state, dove into the chorus of “Soy el Único,” a soulful corrido of heartbreak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13955679']Meanwhile, fans ran back and forth, trying to hear both groups, underscoring a new reality about the exploding popularity of Latin music. Its listeners aren’t limited by one genre, be it regional mexicano, rock en español, reggaetón, Latin house or indie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other words, their musical taste is not a monolith — and neither are their politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That hasn’t stopped both the Biden and Trump campaigns from \u003ca href=\"https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fabiola-santiago/article287165135.html\">employing a one-size-fits-all strategy to court Latino voters\u003c/a>. Every four years, campaign managers and pundits talk about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11857451/deconstructing-the-latino-vote-myths-realities-and-missed-opportunities\">the “Latino vote,”\u003c/a> a mythical term meant to predict the political preferences of over 63 million people from a variety of nationalities, races, religions and lived experiences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At La Onda, KQED spoke to dozens of music fans to better understand the variety of issues Latinos in California are balancing in this election year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959185\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959185\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Natalie Arana poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When lifelong Napa resident Natalie Arana heard that a Latino music festival was coming to town, she immediately signed up for the ticket presale. “It made me very happy that they’re finally doing something for us. … We are honestly the ones that make this place run,” Arana said, referring to the wine industry’s largely Latino and Indigenous labor force, including many in her family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Arana, who spoke to KQED while waiting with her husband and friends for Mexican pop star Danna Paola to begin her set, has been closely following the U.S. presidential election and said she already knows exactly how she will vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='news_11977685']In 2017, her family was impacted when \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/us/politics/trump-daca.html\">Trump announced he would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program\u003c/a>, which provides temporary legal protections to certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. while they were minors. “Not having DACA … that affects my husband,” she said, fearful of a Trump victory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As president, Joe Biden has not threatened DACA but has also \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/13/judge-biden-version-of-daca-illegal-00115816\">failed to ensure permanent legal status for the 530,000 people still in the program\u003c/a>. Arana is now exploring other legal protections for her husband should Trump win in November. The stakes are too high not to take action, she said. “We have two babies.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Arana finds it frustrating that other people choose not to vote. “People are not voting enough,” she said. “And that’s why people like him, who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11988282/former-president-trump-is-found-guilty-in-historic-new-york-criminal-case\">found guilty for dozens of felonies\u003c/a>, are allowed to run for president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959181\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959181\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Víctor García poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As a DACA recipient, Víctor García can’t vote himself, but he’s making sure all his friends do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Right now, I’m just trying to vocalize what’s happening and tell people, ‘Hey, did you vote? Can you do something for us? We’re here as a community. We’re here to vibe with you guys. We’re here to do our life with you,’” García said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>García traveled all the way from the Central Valley for La Onda. For him, “having the Latino community come together this way, it’s amazing.” Standing next to him was his friend Erick Reyes, who said García has helped him better understand the different issues on the ballot this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959183\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959183\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Erick Reyes poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Reyes said he’s often too busy working to follow every election issue but adds that his job in healthcare has taught him a lot about inequality. In the year and a half, since \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/health/2023/01/hospital-closure/\">Madera County Hospital closed\u003c/a>, he’s witnessed the region’s farmworker families struggle to access basic necessary care.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Protecting healthcare services in rural communities matters as a political priority, Reyes said. And for people to get the healthcare they need, he added, “that depends on [what] is available to them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959196\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959196\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carlos Alberto Ramirez poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>With a \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/12/06/1216150515/keffiyeh-hamas-palestinians-israel-gaza\">red keffiyeh draped over their shoulders\u003c/a>, Carlos Alberto Martínez — who came to La Onda from the East Bay with their partner and family — stands out from the crowd.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Martínez was a DACA recipient for several years until they became a citizen about a year ago. But now that they can vote, Martínez said, they’re not supporting any of the presidential candidates. “Biden’s trash … they’re all trash.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democrats haven’t done anything for us,” they said, adding that both the Biden and Obama administrations have deported hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. Most recently, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-asylum-migration-immigration-mexico-border-dec5f83b468b5795479bf1f5e49799d5\">Biden announced significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum\u003c/a> at the southern border.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I have more against them than the Republicans because they’re the ones that failed us and actually had an opportunity,” Martínez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959180\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959180\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vanessa Cuellar (at right) dances with Yajaira Gonzalez at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Vanessa Cuellar from San Francisco has a 10-year record of always voting in elections. But this year, the San Francisco resident said, she doesn’t feel the same passion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I haven’t been as engaged this year because of the genocide happening in Palestine,” Cuellar said, adding that daily news of \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/g-s1-1361/rafah-gaza-israel\">Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/1197963575/podcast-does-biden-have-a-red-line-on-israels-actions-in-gaza\">Biden administration’s continued backing of Israel\u003c/a> has made it difficult to feel excited about politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other side, she said, is no better: throughout his campaign, Trump has promised to double down his support for Israel despite the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/04/1249153712/united-nations-northern-gaza-famine\">humanitarian crisis in Gaza\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='news_11983971']“It doesn’t feel fair that our country has the same two options, and we have to pick the lesser evil again,” Cuellar said. “This time around, it’s hard to distinguish the difference.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cuellar said that even at the festival, surrounded by so many happy fans, it was still hard not to think of the suffering in Gaza. Protecting Palestinian lives aligns with what she and her community stand for, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My friends don’t want to vote, and it’s hard to disagree with them, even when there are many big issues involved in this election like abortion and immigration,” she said. “But unfortunately, everything’s been overshadowed by the genocide.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/29/politics/biden-young-voters-what-matters/index.html\">recent CNN poll\u003c/a> of over 1,200 potential voters found that Trump is leading Biden among voters aged 18-24 by 11 points. Younger voters reported being highly critical of the Biden administration, specifically of its role in Gaza; 81% disapprove of the White House’s handling of the conflict.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959190\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 853px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959190\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12.jpg 853w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isa Alcala poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The high cost of living is also a frustration for young voters. “Everything is just so much more expensive now,” Isa Alcalá said, waiting in line to get food after Chilean indie singer Mon Laferte’s performance. “Regular pay and cost of living — it doesn’t add up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alcalá, who came to La Onda from Dixon, works in a Sacramento emergency department. She and her team have had to respond to more drug overdoses over the past few years, she said, and she’s critical of the over-the-counter cost of the opioid overdose-reversing drug Narcan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It should be free for everyone,” she said. “Why do you have to buy something that’s going to save your life?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the elderly Latino immigrants Alcalá sees in the ER hold off going to the doctor for treatable conditions because they can’t afford the copays, she said. “Our own people avoid it because of the costs,” she said. “If you want to do better for yourself, it takes more money.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959195\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959195\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Casillas poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>During Maldita Vecindad’s set, Paola Casillas sat on a blanket with her mom, who first heard them growing up in Mexico and passed her love for the band onto her daughter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They both live in Richmond, where Casillas is very involved in climate justice efforts, working at a nonprofit that provides organic produce to low-income families. She’s also protested the pollution caused by the nearby Chevron refinery, which has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/richmond-chevron-california-city-polluter-fossil-fuel\">linked to the city’s asthma and cancer rates, particularly among families of color\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s frustrating because it’s not just Richmond. It’s a lot of low-income communities that always face those adversities,” Casillas said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959192\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959192\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Casillas (left) and her mother Eugenia Casillas pose for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>None of the presidential candidates appeal to her, she said. In fact, Casillas no longer sees a presidential election as an effective path to change and has refocused on her local community. She advises others to “go to your city council meetings because there’s a lot of things that you can change if you just keep showing up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her mom, Eugenia, said she sympathizes with the younger generation, especially regarding the higher cost of living and the consequences of climate change. Like many other immigrants, she said, she came to the United States to find peace, but “we need to almost break our backs to just have a little bit of something,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to fight to have both,” she said. “To have peace and to have a good life.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"excerpt": "At La Onda, the Bay Area's biggest Latin music festival, KQED spoke to dozens of Latinos living in the Bay Area on what problems they're dealing with during an election year.",
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"title": "For These Young Latino Voters, It’s Neither Biden nor Trump | KQED",
"description": "At La Onda, the Bay Area's biggest Latin music festival, KQED spoke to dozens of Latinos living in the Bay Area on what problems they're dealing with during an election year.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">O\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>n a recent Sunday in June, thousands of fans watched rock en español legends La Maldita Vecindad at the first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13959079/photos-la-onda-festival-recap-napa\">Festival La Onda\u003c/a> held at the Napa Valley Expo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dressed head-to-toe in \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230913-pachucos-the-latinx-subculture-that-defied-the-us\">old-school pachuco gear\u003c/a>, the band’s frontman Roco sang a verse from “Los Agachados,” an upbeat song dedicated to eating warm, delicious food while recovering from a hangover. On another stage, Yahritza y Su Esencia, a young group of Mexican American siblings from Washington state, dove into the chorus of “Soy el Único,” a soulful corrido of heartbreak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Meanwhile, fans ran back and forth, trying to hear both groups, underscoring a new reality about the exploding popularity of Latin music. Its listeners aren’t limited by one genre, be it regional mexicano, rock en español, reggaetón, Latin house or indie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other words, their musical taste is not a monolith — and neither are their politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That hasn’t stopped both the Biden and Trump campaigns from \u003ca href=\"https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fabiola-santiago/article287165135.html\">employing a one-size-fits-all strategy to court Latino voters\u003c/a>. Every four years, campaign managers and pundits talk about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11857451/deconstructing-the-latino-vote-myths-realities-and-missed-opportunities\">the “Latino vote,”\u003c/a> a mythical term meant to predict the political preferences of over 63 million people from a variety of nationalities, races, religions and lived experiences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At La Onda, KQED spoke to dozens of music fans to better understand the variety of issues Latinos in California are balancing in this election year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959185\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959185\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_07-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Natalie Arana poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When lifelong Napa resident Natalie Arana heard that a Latino music festival was coming to town, she immediately signed up for the ticket presale. “It made me very happy that they’re finally doing something for us. … We are honestly the ones that make this place run,” Arana said, referring to the wine industry’s largely Latino and Indigenous labor force, including many in her family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Arana, who spoke to KQED while waiting with her husband and friends for Mexican pop star Danna Paola to begin her set, has been closely following the U.S. presidential election and said she already knows exactly how she will vote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>In 2017, her family was impacted when \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/us/politics/trump-daca.html\">Trump announced he would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program\u003c/a>, which provides temporary legal protections to certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. while they were minors. “Not having DACA … that affects my husband,” she said, fearful of a Trump victory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As president, Joe Biden has not threatened DACA but has also \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/13/judge-biden-version-of-daca-illegal-00115816\">failed to ensure permanent legal status for the 530,000 people still in the program\u003c/a>. Arana is now exploring other legal protections for her husband should Trump win in November. The stakes are too high not to take action, she said. “We have two babies.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Arana finds it frustrating that other people choose not to vote. “People are not voting enough,” she said. “And that’s why people like him, who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11988282/former-president-trump-is-found-guilty-in-historic-new-york-criminal-case\">found guilty for dozens of felonies\u003c/a>, are allowed to run for president.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959181\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959181\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Víctor García poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>As a DACA recipient, Víctor García can’t vote himself, but he’s making sure all his friends do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Right now, I’m just trying to vocalize what’s happening and tell people, ‘Hey, did you vote? Can you do something for us? We’re here as a community. We’re here to vibe with you guys. We’re here to do our life with you,’” García said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>García traveled all the way from the Central Valley for La Onda. For him, “having the Latino community come together this way, it’s amazing.” Standing next to him was his friend Erick Reyes, who said García has helped him better understand the different issues on the ballot this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959183\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959183\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_05-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Erick Reyes poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Reyes said he’s often too busy working to follow every election issue but adds that his job in healthcare has taught him a lot about inequality. In the year and a half, since \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/health/2023/01/hospital-closure/\">Madera County Hospital closed\u003c/a>, he’s witnessed the region’s farmworker families struggle to access basic necessary care.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Protecting healthcare services in rural communities matters as a political priority, Reyes said. And for people to get the healthcare they need, he added, “that depends on [what] is available to them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959196\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959196\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_18-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carlos Alberto Ramirez poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>With a \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2023/12/06/1216150515/keffiyeh-hamas-palestinians-israel-gaza\">red keffiyeh draped over their shoulders\u003c/a>, Carlos Alberto Martínez — who came to La Onda from the East Bay with their partner and family — stands out from the crowd.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Martínez was a DACA recipient for several years until they became a citizen about a year ago. But now that they can vote, Martínez said, they’re not supporting any of the presidential candidates. “Biden’s trash … they’re all trash.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democrats haven’t done anything for us,” they said, adding that both the Biden and Obama administrations have deported hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. Most recently, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-asylum-migration-immigration-mexico-border-dec5f83b468b5795479bf1f5e49799d5\">Biden announced significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum\u003c/a> at the southern border.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I have more against them than the Republicans because they’re the ones that failed us and actually had an opportunity,” Martínez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959180\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959180\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vanessa Cuellar (at right) dances with Yajaira Gonzalez at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Vanessa Cuellar from San Francisco has a 10-year record of always voting in elections. But this year, the San Francisco resident said, she doesn’t feel the same passion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I haven’t been as engaged this year because of the genocide happening in Palestine,” Cuellar said, adding that daily news of \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/g-s1-1361/rafah-gaza-israel\">Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/1197963575/podcast-does-biden-have-a-red-line-on-israels-actions-in-gaza\">Biden administration’s continued backing of Israel\u003c/a> has made it difficult to feel excited about politics.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The other side, she said, is no better: throughout his campaign, Trump has promised to double down his support for Israel despite the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2024/05/04/1249153712/united-nations-northern-gaza-famine\">humanitarian crisis in Gaza\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“It doesn’t feel fair that our country has the same two options, and we have to pick the lesser evil again,” Cuellar said. “This time around, it’s hard to distinguish the difference.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cuellar said that even at the festival, surrounded by so many happy fans, it was still hard not to think of the suffering in Gaza. Protecting Palestinian lives aligns with what she and her community stand for, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My friends don’t want to vote, and it’s hard to disagree with them, even when there are many big issues involved in this election like abortion and immigration,” she said. “But unfortunately, everything’s been overshadowed by the genocide.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/29/politics/biden-young-voters-what-matters/index.html\">recent CNN poll\u003c/a> of over 1,200 potential voters found that Trump is leading Biden among voters aged 18-24 by 11 points. Younger voters reported being highly critical of the Biden administration, specifically of its role in Gaza; 81% disapprove of the White House’s handling of the conflict.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959190\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 853px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959190\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12.jpg 853w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-160x240.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_12-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isa Alcala poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The high cost of living is also a frustration for young voters. “Everything is just so much more expensive now,” Isa Alcalá said, waiting in line to get food after Chilean indie singer Mon Laferte’s performance. “Regular pay and cost of living — it doesn’t add up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alcalá, who came to La Onda from Dixon, works in a Sacramento emergency department. She and her team have had to respond to more drug overdoses over the past few years, she said, and she’s critical of the over-the-counter cost of the opioid overdose-reversing drug Narcan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It should be free for everyone,” she said. “Why do you have to buy something that’s going to save your life?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the elderly Latino immigrants Alcalá sees in the ER hold off going to the doctor for treatable conditions because they can’t afford the copays, she said. “Our own people avoid it because of the costs,” she said. “If you want to do better for yourself, it takes more money.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959195\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959195\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_17-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Casillas poses for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>During Maldita Vecindad’s set, Paola Casillas sat on a blanket with her mom, who first heard them growing up in Mexico and passed her love for the band onto her daughter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They both live in Richmond, where Casillas is very involved in climate justice efforts, working at a nonprofit that provides organic produce to low-income families. She’s also protested the pollution caused by the nearby Chevron refinery, which has been \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/richmond-chevron-california-city-polluter-fossil-fuel\">linked to the city’s asthma and cancer rates, particularly among families of color\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s frustrating because it’s not just Richmond. It’s a lot of low-income communities that always face those adversities,” Casillas said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13959192\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13959192\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/240501_LaOndaPOF_14-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paola Casillas (left) and her mother Eugenia Casillas pose for a portrait at La Onda festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>None of the presidential candidates appeal to her, she said. In fact, Casillas no longer sees a presidential election as an effective path to change and has refocused on her local community. She advises others to “go to your city council meetings because there’s a lot of things that you can change if you just keep showing up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her mom, Eugenia, said she sympathizes with the younger generation, especially regarding the higher cost of living and the consequences of climate change. Like many other immigrants, she said, she came to the United States to find peace, but “we need to almost break our backs to just have a little bit of something,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to fight to have both,” she said. “To have peace and to have a good life.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "beyonce-election-year-politics-drag-oasis-nightclub-san-francisco-cowboy-carter",
"title": "Beyoncé Fans Reflect on Election Year Concerns at San Francisco Drag Show",
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"headTitle": "Beyoncé Fans Reflect on Election Year Concerns at San Francisco Drag Show | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955737\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955737\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-Beyonce%CC%81Fans-JY-050_qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in a white sequined dress and cowboy hat kneels on one leg on a catwalk, surrounded by the audience and lit in red\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bionka Simone performs Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ at Oasis in San Francisco on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The show drew a sold-out crowd of drag fans and members of the Beyhive as an all-Black cast celebrated the release of Beyoncé’s new album, ‘Cowboy Carter.’ \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]E[/dropcap]arlier this month, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/beyonce\">Beyoncé\u003c/a>’s \u003cem>Cowboy Carter\u003c/em> galloped into the national psyche in all of its flag-waving, countrified glory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Considering Beyoncé’s status as an artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/20366/six-beyonce-pieces-by-women-of-color-that-you-should-read-right-now\">unafraid to invoke political imagery in both her music and her visuals\u003c/a> — not to mention the way this album has turned into a battleground over who “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101905263/from-beyonce-to-lil-hardin-my-black-country-celebrates-the-undersung-black-history-and-future-of-country-music\">owns country\u003c/a>”— it’s unsurprising that many of her fans consider themselves politically conscious, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We at KQED set out to ask Beyoncé fans at San Francisco’s Oasis nightclub, directly before a Beyoncé-themed drag show, about the state of America and the issues with which they’re most concerned in this election year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955649\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955649\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A trio of tattooed and flamboyant people, including two in cowboy hats, smile and line up before a pink and red mural.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L-R) Lance Derick, Joshua Carrasco and James Aceves. Carrasco, who is a pediatric resident at UCSF, says access to healthcare and health insurance is a huge factor in his voting decisions. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joshua Carrasco came to the Beyoncé party with two friends, having arrived in San Francisco from Texas almost a year ago. As a pediatric resident at UCSF, Carrasco says he’s concerned about the links between poor health, underfunded education and a lack of affordable housing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it comes to queer communities, housing is such an important social determinate of health that I think is undervalued within the San Francisco area,” Carrasco said. “A lot of the Props that were voted on [in the last election] went in a direction that I was not anticipating. I think San Francisco flaunts itself as progressive, but I think in action, it’s less progressive than I had anticipated.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955643\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955643\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling woman wearing a wide brimmed black hat and leather jacket stands with a shorter woman wearing her hair in braids and a short skirt. They are standing before a pink and red mural.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Annika Gabriel (L) and Gabby Huckabee (R). Both expressed concern about the age of the presidential candidates, as well as concern for their friends of color. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Asked how she’s feeling about the 2024 election, Annika Gabriel said simply: “I’m real worried about my trans friends.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Gabriel’s side was Gabby Huckabee, who said she is “upset for my Muslim friends [and] for my friends of color.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13955021']Huckabee continued, “It’s very upsetting to me that out of everyone they could have possibly chosen for both parties, [Biden and Trump] are the two they still have come up with. I’m not optimistic for the future. I’m still going to vote for Joe Biden. Because I’m very clearly opposed to \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/donald-trump-tape-transcript.html\">Donald Trump grabbing people by the pussy\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955645\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-003-KQED-e1712693509298.jpg\" alt=\"A Black man smiles broadly in front of a neon-lit O sign at night.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aaron McCall has the environment at the forefront of his mind during this election year. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Despite not feeling enthusiastic about either presidential candidate, Aaron McCall was another attendee determined to make a difference in whichever way he can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When we are choosing people to vote for, it is not a moral statement and it’s not a statement of who we like,” the climate charity worker emphasized. “It is a statement of who we’re going to work with and who’s going to work with us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Republicans have actively said they are going to target and attack queer [folks] and people of color,” McCall continued, “and they’re going to destroy the environment in the process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955647\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955647\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-008-KQED-e1712695709640.jpg\" alt=\"A slender white man in a Beyonce t-shirt, an Arabic man wearing a blue shirt and an Asian woman in a black leather jacket stand with arms around each other outside a nightclub.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L-R) Sean Dante Remigio, Mahmoud Dabbah and Mara Lee. Dabbah isn’t happy with President Biden’s support of Israel and feels there isn’t much difference between Biden and Trump. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mahmoud Dabbah, a Palestinian who has lived in America for three years, believes Biden’s ability to get reelected will be greatly impacted by the president’s support of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">Israel’s military actions in Gaza.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can see that clearly. I think the whole world is pissed off,” Dabbah said. “This war is horrible and the U.S. is a big part of it. I hope it stops soon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_13940030']Asked if he worries about the consequences of another Trump presidency, Dabbah stated: “After what I saw from Biden, I don’t care anymore. It’s all the same for me as an immigrant.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dabbah’s friend Sean Dante Remigio agreed. “It feels very much a losing game either way,” he said. “I mean, it’s not even choosing between a lesser of two evils. There is no choice. That is the conflict.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1402px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM.png\" alt=\"Two young people of color stand side by side inside a nightclub with thoughtful expressions on their faces.\" width=\"1402\" height=\"936\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM.png 1402w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-800x534.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-1020x681.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-768x513.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1402px) 100vw, 1402px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L) Rogue and (R) Stephane are both concerned about houselessness and access to healthcare in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Remigio’s thoughts were echoed by Rogue and Stephane. (Both declined to give last names.) Though the friends remain concerned with housing and healthcare in San Francisco, they don’t see an upcoming face-off between Trump and Biden offering real solutions to the nation’s problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like the options are not great,” Stephane, an international student, said. “Even if I was allowed to vote, I would need better options. I don’t really care about either of the candidates.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Yeah,” Rogue laughed, “it’s like: Poo-Poo or Pee-Pee!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955648\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955648\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two white women, one with a ponytail, one with cropped purple hair, stand close together, smiling warmly at each other. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Married couple Sunny and Reece Johnson are politically disillusioned — one more so than the other. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Also disillusioned with the election are Sunny and Reece Johnson, who’ve been happily married for 11 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I will tell you that I have stopped thinking about [the election] because it’s distressing,” Reece said. “I do feel very unmotivated to vote, because I’m so burned out on the drama.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I would never \u003cem>not\u003c/em> vote, though,” Sunny interjected. “Never.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reece shrugged. “I would like to say that I would never not vote, but I’m so disenchanted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955651\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955651\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-024-KQED-e1712707940654.jpg\" alt=\"A drag queen strikes a pose in black lingerie and red dressing gown, next to a wooden fence decorated with lights.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Xochitl the Queen poses on the roof deck of Oasis shortly before performing on April 5, 2024. Xochitl works in deportation defense at USF Law and uses her drag to make political statements. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One fan who wishes she could vote is drag queen Xochitl. Shortly before her performance as auburn-haired temptress Jolene, Xochitl said she is “low-key scared” about the upcoming election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My future as a performer, as an artist, as an immigrant and as a member of this society is at risk, depending on who wins,” she said. “They say we have a choice, but it’s an illusion of a choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a DACA recipient, Xochitl is not eligible to vote, but strives to make a difference through her job at USF Law. She also utilizes performance to express herself politically.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I make my voice heard by doing art, doing drag,” Xochitl explained. “My drag is inherently political. I’ve done numbers on stage where I burn the American flag as protest, as part of my work in deportation defense. I express my fear about drag bans through my art.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955646\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955646\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-006-KQED-e1712693763217.jpg\" alt=\"A person with glasses and short dark haircut, stands hands in pockets in front of a pink and red mural. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dani Arevalos says their biggest concern as a member of the LGBTQ+ community is being respected and acknowledged as a person. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Like many people we spoke with at Oasis, LGBTQ issues are front and center for Dani Arevalos, who feels dehumanized by recent attacks on gender nonconforming people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Looking to the future, my biggest concern is being respected as a human being,” Arevalos said. “I come from the Latin community, and also being LGBTQ … Honestly two very different communities [with] the same issue of being oppressed. I think going forward, being respected and being acknowledged [will help us] to move forward as a nation together.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955737\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955737\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-Beyonce%CC%81Fans-JY-050_qut.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in a white sequined dress and cowboy hat kneels on one leg on a catwalk, surrounded by the audience and lit in red\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BeyoncéFans-JY-050_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bionka Simone performs Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ at Oasis in San Francisco on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The show drew a sold-out crowd of drag fans and members of the Beyhive as an all-Black cast celebrated the release of Beyoncé’s new album, ‘Cowboy Carter.’ \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of the series \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/fandomvote\">The Fandom Vote\u003c/a>, exploring the election-year concerns and voting preferences of significant pop culture fanbases.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">E\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>arlier this month, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/beyonce\">Beyoncé\u003c/a>’s \u003cem>Cowboy Carter\u003c/em> galloped into the national psyche in all of its flag-waving, countrified glory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Considering Beyoncé’s status as an artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/pop/20366/six-beyonce-pieces-by-women-of-color-that-you-should-read-right-now\">unafraid to invoke political imagery in both her music and her visuals\u003c/a> — not to mention the way this album has turned into a battleground over who “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101905263/from-beyonce-to-lil-hardin-my-black-country-celebrates-the-undersung-black-history-and-future-of-country-music\">owns country\u003c/a>”— it’s unsurprising that many of her fans consider themselves politically conscious, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We at KQED set out to ask Beyoncé fans at San Francisco’s Oasis nightclub, directly before a Beyoncé-themed drag show, about the state of America and the issues with which they’re most concerned in this election year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955649\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955649\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A trio of tattooed and flamboyant people, including two in cowboy hats, smile and line up before a pink and red mural.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-014-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L-R) Lance Derick, Joshua Carrasco and James Aceves. Carrasco, who is a pediatric resident at UCSF, says access to healthcare and health insurance is a huge factor in his voting decisions. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joshua Carrasco came to the Beyoncé party with two friends, having arrived in San Francisco from Texas almost a year ago. As a pediatric resident at UCSF, Carrasco says he’s concerned about the links between poor health, underfunded education and a lack of affordable housing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it comes to queer communities, housing is such an important social determinate of health that I think is undervalued within the San Francisco area,” Carrasco said. “A lot of the Props that were voted on [in the last election] went in a direction that I was not anticipating. I think San Francisco flaunts itself as progressive, but I think in action, it’s less progressive than I had anticipated.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955643\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955643\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling woman wearing a wide brimmed black hat and leather jacket stands with a shorter woman wearing her hair in braids and a short skirt. They are standing before a pink and red mural.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-001-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Annika Gabriel (L) and Gabby Huckabee (R). Both expressed concern about the age of the presidential candidates, as well as concern for their friends of color. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Asked how she’s feeling about the 2024 election, Annika Gabriel said simply: “I’m real worried about my trans friends.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Gabriel’s side was Gabby Huckabee, who said she is “upset for my Muslim friends [and] for my friends of color.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Huckabee continued, “It’s very upsetting to me that out of everyone they could have possibly chosen for both parties, [Biden and Trump] are the two they still have come up with. I’m not optimistic for the future. I’m still going to vote for Joe Biden. Because I’m very clearly opposed to \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/donald-trump-tape-transcript.html\">Donald Trump grabbing people by the pussy\u003c/a>.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955645\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-003-KQED-e1712693509298.jpg\" alt=\"A Black man smiles broadly in front of a neon-lit O sign at night.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aaron McCall has the environment at the forefront of his mind during this election year. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Despite not feeling enthusiastic about either presidential candidate, Aaron McCall was another attendee determined to make a difference in whichever way he can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When we are choosing people to vote for, it is not a moral statement and it’s not a statement of who we like,” the climate charity worker emphasized. “It is a statement of who we’re going to work with and who’s going to work with us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Republicans have actively said they are going to target and attack queer [folks] and people of color,” McCall continued, “and they’re going to destroy the environment in the process.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955647\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955647\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-008-KQED-e1712695709640.jpg\" alt=\"A slender white man in a Beyonce t-shirt, an Arabic man wearing a blue shirt and an Asian woman in a black leather jacket stand with arms around each other outside a nightclub.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L-R) Sean Dante Remigio, Mahmoud Dabbah and Mara Lee. Dabbah isn’t happy with President Biden’s support of Israel and feels there isn’t much difference between Biden and Trump. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mahmoud Dabbah, a Palestinian who has lived in America for three years, believes Biden’s ability to get reelected will be greatly impacted by the president’s support of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gaza\">Israel’s military actions in Gaza.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can see that clearly. I think the whole world is pissed off,” Dabbah said. “This war is horrible and the U.S. is a big part of it. I hope it stops soon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Asked if he worries about the consequences of another Trump presidency, Dabbah stated: “After what I saw from Biden, I don’t care anymore. It’s all the same for me as an immigrant.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dabbah’s friend Sean Dante Remigio agreed. “It feels very much a losing game either way,” he said. “I mean, it’s not even choosing between a lesser of two evils. There is no choice. That is the conflict.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955702\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1402px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955702\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM.png\" alt=\"Two young people of color stand side by side inside a nightclub with thoughtful expressions on their faces.\" width=\"1402\" height=\"936\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM.png 1402w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-800x534.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-1020x681.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-09-at-4.57.48-PM-768x513.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1402px) 100vw, 1402px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L) Rogue and (R) Stephane are both concerned about houselessness and access to healthcare in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Remigio’s thoughts were echoed by Rogue and Stephane. (Both declined to give last names.) Though the friends remain concerned with housing and healthcare in San Francisco, they don’t see an upcoming face-off between Trump and Biden offering real solutions to the nation’s problems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I feel like the options are not great,” Stephane, an international student, said. “Even if I was allowed to vote, I would need better options. I don’t really care about either of the candidates.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Yeah,” Rogue laughed, “it’s like: Poo-Poo or Pee-Pee!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955648\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955648\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"Two white women, one with a ponytail, one with cropped purple hair, stand close together, smiling warmly at each other. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCÉFANS-JY-009-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Married couple Sunny and Reece Johnson are politically disillusioned — one more so than the other. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Also disillusioned with the election are Sunny and Reece Johnson, who’ve been happily married for 11 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I will tell you that I have stopped thinking about [the election] because it’s distressing,” Reece said. “I do feel very unmotivated to vote, because I’m so burned out on the drama.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I would never \u003cem>not\u003c/em> vote, though,” Sunny interjected. “Never.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reece shrugged. “I would like to say that I would never not vote, but I’m so disenchanted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955651\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955651\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-024-KQED-e1712707940654.jpg\" alt=\"A drag queen strikes a pose in black lingerie and red dressing gown, next to a wooden fence decorated with lights.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Xochitl the Queen poses on the roof deck of Oasis shortly before performing on April 5, 2024. Xochitl works in deportation defense at USF Law and uses her drag to make political statements. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>One fan who wishes she could vote is drag queen Xochitl. Shortly before her performance as auburn-haired temptress Jolene, Xochitl said she is “low-key scared” about the upcoming election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My future as a performer, as an artist, as an immigrant and as a member of this society is at risk, depending on who wins,” she said. “They say we have a choice, but it’s an illusion of a choice.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a DACA recipient, Xochitl is not eligible to vote, but strives to make a difference through her job at USF Law. She also utilizes performance to express herself politically.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I make my voice heard by doing art, doing drag,” Xochitl explained. “My drag is inherently political. I’ve done numbers on stage where I burn the American flag as protest, as part of my work in deportation defense. I express my fear about drag bans through my art.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13955646\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13955646\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/240405-BEYONCE%CC%81FANS-JY-006-KQED-e1712693763217.jpg\" alt=\"A person with glasses and short dark haircut, stands hands in pockets in front of a pink and red mural. \" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dani Arevalos says their biggest concern as a member of the LGBTQ+ community is being respected and acknowledged as a person. \u003ccite>(Juliana Yamada/ KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Like many people we spoke with at Oasis, LGBTQ issues are front and center for Dani Arevalos, who feels dehumanized by recent attacks on gender nonconforming people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Looking to the future, my biggest concern is being respected as a human being,” Arevalos said. “I come from the Latin community, and also being LGBTQ … Honestly two very different communities [with] the same issue of being oppressed. I think going forward, being respected and being acknowledged [will help us] to move forward as a nation together.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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},
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"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
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},
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},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
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"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
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},
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"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
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"order": 10
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
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"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
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"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
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"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
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},
"closealltabs": {
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"order": 1
},
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"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"order": 9
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"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
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"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
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"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
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"id": "fresh-air",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"hidden-brain": {
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
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"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
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"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"order": 15
},
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"order": 18
},
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
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"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
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