Commentary by MoiraHarr

“If they do it to them, they’ll do it to you.”

This eerie line from popstar and former actress Olivia Rodrigo’s new hit single “Serena Joy” captures the essence of Rodrigo’s message to the world: a battle cry to fight injustice. 

Released Aug. 24, “Serena Joy” voices Rodrigo’s opinion that there is a collective responsibility to stand up for what is right.

With sarcastic lines such as “yeah it’s all for the cause / for the good of us all / and if you close your eyes, / then it can’t be your fault,” Rodrigo uses the song as a warning that support, tolerance and even indifference of hate and oppression benefits no one but the oppressor.

Rodrigo made the choice to use the lyrics of the song as its cover, emphasizing the message instead of the artist behind it.

The protest song derives its title from a character in Margaret Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Serena Joy allows for the patriarchal system to oppress other women, but ends up falling victim to it herself.

English teacher Mrs. Aleecia Cotton described Serena Joy’s character as “portrayed very unfavorably, but she is also in an incredibly disempowered position herself… though she has power over [a lower social group of women], she is powerless in her relationship with her husband.”

“This happens often when there are big power differentials. The person who has all the power treats someone below them terribly. That person has no power to fight back and advocate for themselves, so instead, they turn and treat people terribly. Serena Joy is kind of in the middle of these difficult dynamics in their social system,” Cotton said. 

By using Serena Joy’s character as the title, Rodrigo calls attention to those compliant to systems that not only disadvantage others, but might even affect themselves. It also recognizes how complex these social situations can get. This is especially evident in the patriarchal system. 

Interestingly, this message is nothing new.

A notable example is the famous poem “First They Came” written by Pastor Niemöller during the Holocaust. The poem starts off with the line, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak up because I was not a socialist.” He repeats other groups he did not speak up for because he was not a part of them, until the haunting last line: “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Civil Rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. also shared this message in his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” where he wrote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” 

Despite the message’s frequent repetition, history has shown the importance of reminding people to use their voice for justice. The message remains relevant through all time periods and across the world. 

Rodrigo aims to practice what she preaches by not only using her following to bring light to social issues she is passionate about, but also through donating her time and money. She is especially vocal about advocating for women.

This past August, Rodrigo hosted her own charity music festival called “Daisy Chain.” All performances at the festival were done by women and included big names such as Stevie Nicks, Chappel Roan and Doechii. Rodrigo donated all money made through the festival to women’s charities that provide aid to impoverished mothers and children, fight gender violence and combat gender inequality. Some charities included are Baby2Baby, Freeform, National Women’s Law Center and Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Rodrigo donated more than $10 million, and this donation was matched by Melinda Gates, bringing the total up to $20 million. 

Additionally, all proceeds from the streaming of “Serena Joy” and copies of its CD were donated. 

As a Catholic school, students are reminded that the Catholic Social Teachings of Rights and Responsibilities and Option for the Poor and Vulnerable encourage us to fight injustice and to dedicate ourselves to helping those affected by it. Students can live out these teachings by following Rodrigo’s lead in using their voice to advocate for what they believe in and fight for those who are disadvantaged.

Rodrigo’s artistic talent and passion for justice displays that art can be used to make powerful statements and inspire activism.