Just when we thought Taylor Swift couldn’t get more awesome, she did.
When a fan named Caillou opened up on Tumblr about being teased and even punched for his name and small frame, Swift — who has dealt with bullying herself — responded with a heartfelt message.
Caillou-
Hi pal.
I was really shocked to hear you say that you’d been bullied because of your name because the first thing I thought when I saw it was ‘woah, Caillou is such a cool name’. Honestly. I thought it was so cool because it’s different, and herein lies our issue: you will always be criticized and teased and bullied for things that make you different, but usually those things will be what set you apart. The things that set you apart from the pack, the things that you once thought were your weaknesses will someday become your strengths. So if they say you’re weird or annoying or strange or too this or not enough that, maybe it’s because you threaten them. Maybe you threaten them because you’re not the norm. And if you’re not the norm, give yourself a standing ovation.
Now I want to tell you that I think you look great the way you are. No one has the right to criticize you for how your body looks, but they will. One thing I’ve learned from experiencing this exact kind of criticism is that no one else can label your body except for you. No one gets to have a place in your mind if they weren’t invited there by you. So please do me this one favor: Don’t let their ugly words into your beautiful mind.And if someone punches you again, call the police and report them because that is assault. I’m serious. There’s no direct penalty for bullying with words (except karma) but no one is allowed to hit you. Ever.
Thanks for telling me your story and for being so strong.
The singer/songwriter has reached out to bullied fans in the past. In September, one girl opened up about her experiences with bullying on Instagram, and Swift responded to her.
“People cut other people down for entertainment, amusement, out of jealousy, because of something broken inside them,” she wrote. “Or for no reason at all. It’s just what they do, and you’re a target because you live your life loudly and boldly. You’re bright and joyful and so many people are cynical. They won’t understand you and they won’t understand me.”
Oh, Taylor, we love you so.
