Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' Video Deemed Racist

"It's inherently offensive and ultimately harmful."

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(Image credit: Archives)

To many, Taylor Swift is America's sweetheart, but that alone can't save her from landing in hot water. Yesterday, Swift debuted the video for her new song "Shake It Off," in which she showcases a slew of cultural identities in jest. In one scene, Swift, decked out in heavy gold jewelry and cut-off denim hot pants, twerks with a group of black and white women. It's lighthearted, but as recent videos from Miley Cyrus and Lily Allen have taught us, is walking a very fine line.

Rapper Earl Sweatshirt took to Twitter to call Swift out, even going so far as to say she's masking prejudice with mock appreciation. He tweeted the following:

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Earl Sweatshirt isn't the only one taking to Twitter to voice frustration, so it'll be interesting to see how Swift reacts to the criticism, especially in light of her forthcoming performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night. We'll just have to wait and see.

"Shake It Off" is available on iTunes and her new album, 1989, drops October 27.

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