Kim Kardashian: Why We Need Feminism
By ACCAICIA BRYSON
Kim Kardashian is a strong, smart, entrepreneur who has created a business that we all could take a few notes from. Not only has she created an empire with her name, but she is also a working mother and a symbol for strong women. The Kardashians are known as “the family without talent” but Kim Kardashian is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time. We never focus on her success, but rather on her body and looks. We don’t give her the credit that she rightfully deserves because she doesn't look like a businesswoman. This is why Kim Kardashian needs the support of feminists.
Feminism, according to the Webster online dictionary, “Is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” It is not man-hating and it certainly is not making some women better than others. Feminism is simply advocating that women have the same rights as men and are treated the same in social, political, and economic systems. These are the rights feminists have always been fighting for.
Modern day feminism has taken a different turn and for many reasons is pushing women to refrain from calling themselves feminists. We have started to associate feminists as angry man-haters, who have never shaved and burn bras in protest. This is an undesirable image for most people to be a part of. Because we think like this of all feminists, women who do not fit in this misguided mold don’t consider themselves feminist. We say that women who show their bodies and enjoy makeup are ruining feminism purely because these women are just doing what society has told them to do. It is time we stop making these judgments and celebrate all women for who they are.
Even Kim Kardashian herself has stated that she doesn't consider herself a feminist. In an article on her website she explained, “I'll always fight for women's rights. Always. I support women to the fullest. But, at the end of the day, no one should feel pressured to be labeled as anything just because they believe in certain things and support certain values or ideals.” She has received harsh feedback following this statement but it is understandable why she has refrained from labeling herself when in this day and age feminist is not the most favorable word to be called. Everything that Kardashian says, fights for, and believes embodies feminism, but because feminism has become such a dirty word she does not want to label herself as one. Feminism should not be a dirty word and we must all work towards using it in its true meaning.
Kim Kardashian has done some incredible things, and it is time that we talk about her successes as a working woman. Kardashian has always considered herself a businesswoman. When she was just 16 she created an online Ebay store in which she sold handmade accessories. Later on, she started another business in which she cleaned and redesigned closets for customers. After her sex tape leaked in 2007 she created her own reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and since then her brand has only grown. According to Forbes, “Her Kim Kardashian: Hollywood mobile game generated $71.8 million in 2015; some 40% of her annual paycheck comes from the game.” Everything that Kardashian has done has made her image and brand more desirable to have, which is why when she released an app about her life, people flocked to buy it. She took the initial sex tape publicity and every step she has made since then was carefully calculated in order to improve her brand. In 2016 Forbes released that Kardashian's net worth is 150 million. All of this success from a sex tape, and we say she doesn’t have talent.
Kardashian has been extremely successful but her looks and body may have helped her get ahead. According to an article titled Good looks will get you that job, promotion and raise from Psychology Today written by Ray Williams, ’The ''beauty premium'' is an important economic factor in our careers, citing a U.S. survey that found good-looking lawyers earn between 10 and 12 percent more than less good-looking colleagues.” People who are more attractive have been found to have better opportunities and make more money. Kardashian is considered one of the most physically attractive person of our time. This most certainly has helped her get ahead in life and find her success. This is a feminist issue because everyone should have equal opportunities no matter what they look like. Kardashians looks have given her a leg up but that does not mean that her success should be discounted because she has still been successful as a woman.
We live in a world where we tear down women who have found success by criticizing their appearance and life choices. It is hard enough to make it in this world as a woman, but when how you look becomes a factor into how serious you are taken it can be damaging. In an article from the New York Times titled Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science?, author Eileen Pollack talks about why she quit her dreams of being a scientist because of the strong male bias in the field. She states, “I was tired of dressing one way to be taken seriously as a scientist while dressing another to feel feminine.” In careers that have always been dominated by men, you must dress like one to be taken seriously.
Take someone like Hillary Clinton, who has found major success as a working woman and has slowly climbed her way to the top in the political world. While she has been extremely successful, her outfit choices are all predominantly male. In all three of the presidential debates, she has worn pant suits which are the closest item women can wear to look like like a man. We take Clinton seriously, but we treat Kardashian like a joke. Is it because of how she dresses?
Kim has found a name for herself by showing off her body and dressing as feminine as she pleases. We tend to look at what she wore to a business conference rather than talking about what she accomplished. This is an issue for all women and it is something that needs to be addressed. Women should be able to be taken seriously no matter what they are wearing.
We live in an age where women are finally becoming equal, but there are still places for improvement. Feminists in this new age will be fighting a new battle in which women fight to be treated as equals culturally and not just on paper. This begins with the way we act towards women in the media. Instead of seeing them as objects we should look deeper, at how much they have achieved. Women can do amazing things and still dress like women and they should be celebrated for it. Kim Kardashian is a strong woman who we should be celebrating and admiring. So to the people who say Kim Kardashian has no talent, I challenge you to look a little deeper.
By ACCAICIA BRYSON
Kim Kardashian is a strong, smart, entrepreneur who has created a business that we all could take a few notes from. Not only has she created an empire with her name, but she is also a working mother and a symbol for strong women. The Kardashians are known as “the family without talent” but Kim Kardashian is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time. We never focus on her success, but rather on her body and looks. We don’t give her the credit that she rightfully deserves because she doesn't look like a businesswoman. This is why Kim Kardashian needs the support of feminists.
Feminism, according to the Webster online dictionary, “Is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” It is not man-hating and it certainly is not making some women better than others. Feminism is simply advocating that women have the same rights as men and are treated the same in social, political, and economic systems. These are the rights feminists have always been fighting for.
Modern day feminism has taken a different turn and for many reasons is pushing women to refrain from calling themselves feminists. We have started to associate feminists as angry man-haters, who have never shaved and burn bras in protest. This is an undesirable image for most people to be a part of. Because we think like this of all feminists, women who do not fit in this misguided mold don’t consider themselves feminist. We say that women who show their bodies and enjoy makeup are ruining feminism purely because these women are just doing what society has told them to do. It is time we stop making these judgments and celebrate all women for who they are.
Even Kim Kardashian herself has stated that she doesn't consider herself a feminist. In an article on her website she explained, “I'll always fight for women's rights. Always. I support women to the fullest. But, at the end of the day, no one should feel pressured to be labeled as anything just because they believe in certain things and support certain values or ideals.” She has received harsh feedback following this statement but it is understandable why she has refrained from labeling herself when in this day and age feminist is not the most favorable word to be called. Everything that Kardashian says, fights for, and believes embodies feminism, but because feminism has become such a dirty word she does not want to label herself as one. Feminism should not be a dirty word and we must all work towards using it in its true meaning.
Kim Kardashian has done some incredible things, and it is time that we talk about her successes as a working woman. Kardashian has always considered herself a businesswoman. When she was just 16 she created an online Ebay store in which she sold handmade accessories. Later on, she started another business in which she cleaned and redesigned closets for customers. After her sex tape leaked in 2007 she created her own reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and since then her brand has only grown. According to Forbes, “Her Kim Kardashian: Hollywood mobile game generated $71.8 million in 2015; some 40% of her annual paycheck comes from the game.” Everything that Kardashian has done has made her image and brand more desirable to have, which is why when she released an app about her life, people flocked to buy it. She took the initial sex tape publicity and every step she has made since then was carefully calculated in order to improve her brand. In 2016 Forbes released that Kardashian's net worth is 150 million. All of this success from a sex tape, and we say she doesn’t have talent.
Kardashian has been extremely successful but her looks and body may have helped her get ahead. According to an article titled Good looks will get you that job, promotion and raise from Psychology Today written by Ray Williams, ’The ''beauty premium'' is an important economic factor in our careers, citing a U.S. survey that found good-looking lawyers earn between 10 and 12 percent more than less good-looking colleagues.” People who are more attractive have been found to have better opportunities and make more money. Kardashian is considered one of the most physically attractive person of our time. This most certainly has helped her get ahead in life and find her success. This is a feminist issue because everyone should have equal opportunities no matter what they look like. Kardashians looks have given her a leg up but that does not mean that her success should be discounted because she has still been successful as a woman.
We live in a world where we tear down women who have found success by criticizing their appearance and life choices. It is hard enough to make it in this world as a woman, but when how you look becomes a factor into how serious you are taken it can be damaging. In an article from the New York Times titled Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science?, author Eileen Pollack talks about why she quit her dreams of being a scientist because of the strong male bias in the field. She states, “I was tired of dressing one way to be taken seriously as a scientist while dressing another to feel feminine.” In careers that have always been dominated by men, you must dress like one to be taken seriously.
Take someone like Hillary Clinton, who has found major success as a working woman and has slowly climbed her way to the top in the political world. While she has been extremely successful, her outfit choices are all predominantly male. In all three of the presidential debates, she has worn pant suits which are the closest item women can wear to look like like a man. We take Clinton seriously, but we treat Kardashian like a joke. Is it because of how she dresses?
Kim has found a name for herself by showing off her body and dressing as feminine as she pleases. We tend to look at what she wore to a business conference rather than talking about what she accomplished. This is an issue for all women and it is something that needs to be addressed. Women should be able to be taken seriously no matter what they are wearing.
We live in an age where women are finally becoming equal, but there are still places for improvement. Feminists in this new age will be fighting a new battle in which women fight to be treated as equals culturally and not just on paper. This begins with the way we act towards women in the media. Instead of seeing them as objects we should look deeper, at how much they have achieved. Women can do amazing things and still dress like women and they should be celebrated for it. Kim Kardashian is a strong woman who we should be celebrating and admiring. So to the people who say Kim Kardashian has no talent, I challenge you to look a little deeper.