Word on the Quad

Do celebrities such as Taylor Swift influence your political views?

“Whatever they say influences my opinion on them more than my ideas on politics. I’d rather celebrities just keep opinions to themselves. I’m not the type of person who can hear somebody I love say, ‘I love Donald Trump,’ and still be able to support them.”
Mikaila Mason
Undeclared

“I think it does influence people. Black Entertainment Television (BET) has an [election] special, and I think it’s important when celebrities express [the importance of] voting among kids or anyone. As Michelle Obama says, ‘There’s strength in numbers.”
Aariyana Roberson
Architecture

“I don’t hold people in Hollywood to a higher degree. I’m all for [Taylor Swift] saying whatever she wants. I think everyone has the right to speak, so you shouldn’t say she doesn’t have the right to speak her mind.”
Samuel Ashagrie
Pre Law

“The first thing that came to my mind is that people just gotta get out and vote. Typically, as we all know, the midterms are ignored, but it seems that these midterms are more important than others have been in the past.”
Darrell Lew
Language and Photography

“I work for civic engagement and social justice organizations, so I don’t need the opinion of a celebrity to tell me how I should vote. I work for the non-profits Bay Rising and Oakland Rising, which register and educate voters.”
Liz Suk
Nursing