Although the new hit Netflix series, “Ginny and Georgia,” has viewers hooked and obsessing over the powerful actresses in the cast, an off-the-cuff insult to pop star Taylor Swift soon sparked a large controversy.

The show was released on February 24 and found its way on the Netflix top 10 most-watched shows within a short span of time. As a devoted Netflix watcher, I binged the whole show a few days after it was released and loved it. The show focuses on a mother and daughter duo who have a lot more in common than they realize, especially through their hunger for power. The two women overcome many life obstacles and even reflect on the mother, Georgia’s, past, which was characterized by abuse, relationships and identity crises. An overlying motif that was clear while watching the show was women with power and the rejection of reliance on men. Georgia is a character who is widowed and went through many relationships, but it is inferred that her relationships were not for love, but rather money and power. This determined character and her daughter manipulate and fight to get what they want, even if that means getting their hands dirty.

In the final episode of the show, a not-so-subtle and quite shocking remark is made from Georgia to her daughter, Ginny. While conversing about dating, Georgia says, “You go through men faster than Taylor Swift.” As many other viewers can agree, while watching this episode of the show, I was not only shocked by its abruptness, but also deeply confused why a show built on powerful women contained such a sexist remark. Although the remark seemed harmless at first, it comes down to its deeper meaning and shows the roots of sexism.

Swift called out the show on Twitter and brought to light the fact that women should not be degraded for their relationships. She tweeted, “Hey Ginny & Georgia, 2010 called and it wants its lazy, deeply sexist joke back. How about we stop degrading hard working women.” Her fans were immediately enraged and created a huge backlash for the show.

One of the most eye-opening remarks from Swift was, “@netflix after “Miss Americana” this outfit doesn’t look cute on you… Happy Women’s History Month I guess.” “Miss Americana,” a Netflix documentary about Swift, was released on January 31, just one month before the release of “Ginny and Georgia.” To call the sexist comment uncalled for is an understatement, especially after all the hard work and dedication Swift puts into her career. The singer is a role model for people and girls, young and old, all around the world, so by degrading Swift, the show also arguably degraded women worldwide. It is a known fact that women are more likely than men to be degraded for having numerous relationships. To overcome this form of inequality, spreading demeaning remarks about an independent woman’s previous relationship experience is only taking a step back and infecting the minds of young listeners.

Although the show incorporates actors of all genders, races and sexualities, the “Ginny and Georgia” writers made a mistake that undermines the show’s purpose of equality and empowering women. Thanks to Swift, conversation about what is appropriate and unacceptable along the lines of sexism and how to end it can now be further discussed and improved. Hopefully, Netflix has learned a lesson and will take into consideration the results of their “jokes” during this progressive time of social uproar in order to combat inequality.