Katy Perry is not an astronaut

America is currently plunged in a time of economic uncertainty. Amongst rapidly changing policies, procedures and ways of life, no one knows what to expect. Many minorities feel that America is suddenly becoming a scary place yet again. Prices are higher than ever, jobs are lacking and it seems like everyone has money problems. Someone has to be the light shining in the darkness, right? Someone has to encourage the working class of America to keep going.

"Oh, I know, what better way to empower people than by spending twenty eight million dollars to go to space for a measly eleven minutes?"

…Yeah, said no one ever – except millionaire pop star Katy Perry. I'm no economist, but somehow I feel that a millionaire putting on a sickening display of her insane wealth by spending a ridiculous amount of money on something so trivial absolutely does not empower anyone but herself. She campaigned the flight as being an act of feminism, as the entire shuttle crew was composed of women, only two of which were actual astronauts I should mention. This is clearly not feminism, but a way for a rich woman to blow off some money she doesn't really know what else to do with.

Now obviously, Perry's money belongs to her, and she can spend her riches however she pleases – but that's not the insulting part. Her Blue Origins trip to space was fine; it's what she claims to be doing for society by leaving earth. Perry now claims that she's not only an inspiration for women, but is also now an astronaut because she visited space for, drumroll, eleven minutes. Wow. I mean I've swam in the ocean before, so I must be a marine biologist. Her statement is simply insulting to real astronauts that went through years of grueling training and studying to achieve real success.

If claiming to be an astronaut after her lackluster excursion wasn't enough, Perry also didn't even pay attention to the scenery outside her shuttle or enjoy zero gravity to its fullest, she just sort of awkwardly stared into the camera holding up a daisy the whole time. Many speculate that the daisy she held was symbolic for her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom, who was on earth during Perry's trip. Upon landing, Perry stated that she "felt connected to love" and started spewing about how loved she felt and how everyone in her life was loved, too. Then, she kissed the ground. I personally can't think of anything more disconnected than that. If she wanted to communicate her love for her daughter, perhaps she should, I don't know, spend time with her? The whole situation is just weird, and seems like a display of immense wealth disguised as public service, feminism and some strange sort of love.

Obviously, a millionaire is the perfect candidate to try to connect with those struggling with money, right? Wrong. I can't speak for everyone, but personally, I've never felt empowered by a rich person doing rich people things. Katy Perry is not an astronaut, or an inspiration for struggling Americans, and she has faced backlash for her actions. Hopefully next time she wants to inspire people, she'll donate a couple million dollars to charity instead of spending it on travelling to space for the amount of time it takes to make a microwave dinner.

Opinion by Seyla Ray