CA professor: Being Swift fan is ‘slightly racist,’ Chiefs winning Super Bowl is ‘white supremacist conspiracy’
A professor from California, Melina Abdullah, sparked controversy by suggesting that being a Taylor Swift fan might have racial implications, following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, expressed her views on an online platform, X, questioning the racial dynamics of being a Taylor Swift fan. She later reinforced her stance when another user commented on the pervasive nature of racism, to which she responded affirmatively.
Why do I feel like it’s slightly racist to be a Taylor Swift fan?
— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) February 11, 2024
Abdullah, whose bio highlights her involvement in Black Lives Matter activism, further elaborated on her initial statement by comparing her feeling about Taylor Swift fandom to her discomfort with an excessive display of American flags.
Why do I feel like this was some right-wing, white-supremacist conspiracy?!?!
Booooooo!!!!#SuperBowl— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) February 12, 2024
Additionally, she speculated about the Super Bowl outcome, suggesting it might be part of a right-wing, white supremacist agenda.
Indeed!
— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) February 13, 2024
This isn’t the first time Abdullah has stirred controversy online. In the past, she made headlines for excluding white people from Juneteenth celebrations and advocating for reparations for white individuals. Furthermore, she defended Jussie Smollett following his conviction for fabricating a hate crime, citing skepticism towards law enforcement, particularly the Chicago Police Department, and emphasizing systemic issues within policing.
Attention white people…
Please don’t ask if you can come to the cookout…#Juneteenth is freedom day for Black folks.It should be #Reparations day for white folks.
— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) June 13, 2022
Overall, Abdullah’s statements have often been polarizing, touching on racial tensions and systemic injustices.