BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR
Photo from Wikimeida Commons
Photographer is Justin Higuchi
Singer-songwriter and synthpop artist Chappell Roan is again in the spotlight, not for her music but for her decision to refrain from endorsing a candidate in the upcoming 2024 election. While some people quickly label her as indecisive, Roan’s choice to stand against the political tide during an election year is justified.
Make no mistake; Roan isn’t avoiding the political fray — she’s stepping into it.
The controversy stems from her comments in an interview with The Guardian, expressing frustration with both political parties.
She mentioned that she was dissatisfied with the Republican Party but is disappointed by the Democratic Party, particularly when it comes to issues like queer rights and foreign policy in Gaza.
Many accuse her of ‘both sides’ of the issue, a phrase used to criticize people who try to find a middle ground. But Roan’s critics are missing the point of her message.
These days, criticizing the Democratic Party feels like a betrayal. The “vote blue no matter who” mindset—a phrase that reflects blind loyalty to the party—has created dangerous groupthink. Instead of holding our representatives accountable, people are expected to follow along without question.
Roan isn’t fence-sitting; she’s refusing to lower her standards. She’s demanding more from the politicians who claim to represent her.
Endorsing a political candidate is never about choosing the lesser of two evils. It’s a public declaration that you support the person and the platform they stand on.
Similar to many Americans, Roan is grappling with the reality that neither significant party adequately represents her values. Her decision not to endorse any candidate isn’t a lazy act of centrism; it’s a refusal to settle with something “good enough.”
One of the most telling moments of this controversy came when Roan clarified her stance in a TikTok video, saying, “No, I’m not voting for Trump. And yes, I will always question those in power… That’s why I can’t endorse.”
By not endorsing a candidate, Roan is trying to say that politicians must earn her support, not be handed it on the assumption that they’re the “lesser evil.”
Given Roan’s influence as a pop star, some may argue that her decision not to endorse a candidate is a missed opportunity. However, this argument overlooks the rationale behind her decision.
She’s not abstaining from the political process; she’s committed to the issues that matter to her.
debelljb22@bonaventure.edu
