Is Lorde's Smash Hit 'Royals' Racist?

We love singing along with Lorde's catchy hit "Royals," but are the singer's lyrics racist? One American writer, Veronica Bayetti Flores, thinks so. A recent post by Baytetti Flores on feministing.com (opens in new tab) accuses Lorde's lyrics of being racist because, as Bayetti Flores says, "...we all know who she's thinking when we're talking gold teeth, Cristal and Maybachs. So why sh** on black folks? Why sh** on rappers? Why aren't we critiquing wealth by taking hits at golf or polo or Central Park East?"

Fans of Lorde have responded saying that Flores is wrong for interpreting the lyrics using the views of racism particular to US culture. One New Zealand author, Lynda Brendish (opens in new tab), responded by saying, "The track was the songwriter's response to the images of unattainable luxury often conveyed through a U.S.-dominated pop culture. The theme of the song is the dissonance between that life... and the one she lives in New Zealand, but it is not at all about race."

What do you think? Is "Royals" racist? Let us know in the comments!