To Harry and the Styles™ Team
@HSHQ, u had ur chance
Since July I’ve been writing, rewriting, and editing an essay (a letter really) that I loosely titled To Harry and the Styles Team. It’s in that horrible mid-2010s Buzzfeed “An Open Letter to…” style and is too earnest for my own good. In one sappy way or another I was trying, and failing, to argue that—in regards to the late show vaguely pro-choice pep talk of it all—Harry Styles™ needs to beef up (his language) or shut up.
What I really wanted to write was a cultural crit piece ~deconstructing~ what makes me think Mr. Styles needs to say anything in the first place. Alas, I couldn’t organize my thoughts in time or with enough clarity. So, this is all I can offer.
Dear Mr. Styles and the Harry entourage,
FYI, I started writing this in late July…not in an effort to add to the never ending discourse machine, the DWD press tornado, or the day to day stress of being very very famous. That being said, you are a busy man with a busy team, so I’ll cut right to the chase. A trigger law went into effect August 25, 2022 that makes performing an abortion in Texas a felony punishable by life in prison. As the reigning king of pop (performing a sold-out residency in Austin), you need to address this fundamental violation of human rights.
I was born and raised in Texas, went to school at The University of Texas, and was at your September show in San Antonio. Let me just say **slow clap into applause**, Team Harry really knows how to put on a show. I had the night of my life.
P.S. I saw you walked the river, but if you missed out on Chispas at Soluna (famously large, famously strong margaritas) then you didn’t really experience San Antonio. I pounded a few before the show. Maybe that’s why I kept trying to start shit. Stir the pot. Regardless, the Cherry Pit was too high on life to join in on my “FUCK GREG ABBOTT” chant. (They wouldn’t join in on “TED CRUZ IS A CUNT” either.)
I’m not sure if you remember this, but earlier that month (Sep. 2021) Governor Abbott signed S.B. 8 (the “heartbeat bill”) into law, effectively banning abortion at six weeks by deputizing citizens to enforce the ban, putting bounties on the heads of doctors and people seeking abortions. The governor is a Trump crony and a coward. Ted Cruz is basically the anti-Harry. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, trigger laws in Texas and across the US have gone into effect, banning abortion from the moment of fertilization. Things were different back in September though. Grim. Unclear in a uniquely scary way. Maybe it was because I still had some hope for Roe. Maybe it’s because, now—as hard as I’ve tried—I’m a little numb to it all. But back then it felt real for the first time…like they could get away with just about anything. And the thing is, I’m incredibly privileged. It is far worse and potentially fatal for people of color and those living in rural areas.
On top of all that, earlier in the week Abbott informed reporters the law wouldn’t ban abortions in cases of rape because he was going to stop rape in Texas. Trust me. As a whole lot of Texans—and most women across the world—know, that won’t happen.
I was so happy to be at your show. In the pit no less! Except, when I looked around at the feathers and smiles and love, I couldn’t help but think about how all of us were being taken advantage of by our government.
Back to my point: I don’t expect perfection of celebrities, including the ones I like. Even the ones I adore. Haha. But in San Antonio you said something that frustrated me:
“Don’t let anyone tell you who you’re supposed to be. Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re supposed to do with your body, don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do with your own self.”
Night One in Austin, and ya’ already brought it back. :///
I remember thinking, “Lovely! Thanks Harry! But they ARE, CAN, and HAVE told us what to do with our bodies?!! Don’t you see that?” For the foreseeable future they get to tell us EXACTLY what to do with our bodies. They get to make that decision for pregnant people across the state, and a big one at that. Yes, we revolt, organize, and protest; but do you see how it was reductive to tell a stadium packed with young women and members of the LGBTQ+ community—people who seek abortions for whatever reason—people actively being legislated against—that we “can do anything?” ??!! We should not have to break the law to receive medical care. We shouldn’t have to risk our financial and personal futures every time we want to have sex. It made me wish you hadn’t said anything at all.
You didn’t fumble the bag all that much. I even saw some outlets praising you for affirming our bodily autonomy. They seemed pleased with it. But I think we both know you could have said (ideally, done) more (something less vague like a simple “Abortion is healthcare.”).
Now onto the meat of my argument, the rest of your Austin residency: FIVE (more) NIGHTS at the Moody Center.
**I’m by no means suggesting that I think artists should boycott Austin or stop playing shows in Texas (or other states with abortion bans). However, SIX NIGHTS in Austin…just a few miles from the Governor’s Mansion…a month away from the midterms (where said governor is facing a real challenge)…it’s hard to justify not doing anything.**
I live in New York now, but we (Austin-ites) don’t get residency “events” very often outside of the annual ACL-frenzie. Austin is one of my favorite places in the world. If your interest was at all piqued by Soluna Chispas, might I suggest the all-artificial magic-inducing Baby Alcapulco’s Purple Marg. By law they can only serve you two.
Apologies for all the tangents, I’m homesick. ANYWAY, I want to lay out—in no specific order—a few strategies for your Austin residency…ways you can proactively leverage your time in Hill Country…ways to be a little less ~girlboss~ about abortion rights:
The Dead and Co: I recently went to my first Grateful Dead/Dead and Co. show in New York. WILD! You know what that crowd loves more than drugs and The Dead? Nothing. They REALLY hate fascists though. I’m not saying there should be nitrous balloons in the Moody parking lot. But! what else did Dead and Co. have (at least inside the stadium)? Voter Registration (and prizes and raffles)!! Texas has a massive gubernatorial election in November. Beto O’Rourke (D) v. Greg Abbott (R). Texas residents have until October 11th to register to vote. Picture this: Register to vote at Love on Tour! Consider signing some Longhorn memorabilia, a poster, a ticket to some LA shows, ANYTHING, and doing a drawing (base entries off registering to vote, donations to an abortion mutual-aid fund, ANYTHING). Show up for us. What you’re doing with Everytown is great, but Texas needs more. It’s not hyperbole to say our state is as much of a political battleground as our bodies are being treated as war zones. We need help, and—let’s be honest—your charisma is more infectious than Beto’s.
The Phoebe Bridgers: I saw Ms. Bridgers perform at ACL not long after seeing you in San Antonio. Although her sound was cut during her last song Weekend 2, Ms. Bridgers’ Weekend 1 show was a massive hit…and not just because she put on an incredible show. She affirmed the crowd by saying simple lil things like “abortion is healthcare” between songs, led a “Fuck Greg Abbott! Fuck Ted Cruz!” chant towards our famous pink capitol building, and used her cover (which she sang at the event) of Bo Burnham’s “That Funny Feeling” to raise money for local abortion mutual aid funds. The crowd was, let’s face it, depressed and gay. aka favorable to the message she delivered. Still, it felt good to be heard by someone with a mic and a huge audience. Later, she opened up about seeking an abortion on her last tour. Ms. Bridgers continues speaking out for abortion rights and gender affirming healthcare, going so far as to say “If you don’t agree, leave my show.” Maybe you can’t say that because you’re the biggest pop star in the world, but you should try.
The Fiona Apple: Pledge the royalties of a song (or cover) of your choosing to an abortion mutual aid fund that needs it. Read more here :)
Summary of (SOME) ~Actionable~ Options:
Donate the proceeds of a cover (via bandcamp or something) to abortion mutual aid funds, be an indie-star for a week. Better yet, record it live in Austin. Even better, make it Willie Nelson etc.
Make sure everyone, even the mega-rich ultra-conservative donors in the Moody boxes, know that you believe abortion is healthcare and a human right. Make them uncomfortable. Who cares!?? They have box seats!! Condemn those who have legislated it away from us.
Optional (but highly encouraged): Offer a big ‘ol FUCK YOU to our most heinous elected officials (Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, and their cronies)
Register to Vote at Love on Tour!!
Tables with volunteers registering voters (give the handful of volunteers free tickets!)
Raffle / Auction
WHAT TO SAY
Instead of “don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do with your body,” say something like “At Love on Tour, WE BELIEVE ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE and that everyone should have the right to choose. I know that it has been a hard couple of years, and that the last few months have not been made easier by these decisions. I want you to know that I stand with you. I am angry for you. I support you. And if you don’t agree, get the fuck outta here!!”
Just remember that as progressive as Austin seems, old money still runs the town. There will be people far richer than you hanging out in the boxes and VIP zones. You have their ear for over an hour, which is more than a lot of people can say. Stand up to them for those of us who can’t.
I really don’t know what else to say except, this whole exercise—begging a pop star to make a statement—is demoralizing. It makes me very sad which is why I’m officially putting this damn thing to rest.