Two weekends ago, Kim Kardashian took part in a Q&A session for BlogHer16. She talked about a lot of different things, from her super-successful Kimoji line to her super-successful video game. At one point, she was asked if she identifies as a feminist. Her answer bugged me for a lot of different reasons. This was her answer:
“Everyone always says, are you a feminist? I don’t think that I am. I don’t like labels. I do what makes me happy and I want women to be confident. I am so supportive of women. I love nothing more than when I’m with all my friends and I love to support women but I’m not a ‘free the nipple-type” of girl. If you’re not comfortable with that, don’t do it! I’m not about the labels. Just be you and be confident in you.”
Here’s the thing: I know Kim Kardashian is a feminist. Even though people yell at her all the time about everything, of course she’s a feminist. One of my biggest problems was that by refusing to label herself a feminist, she was acting like there was something wrong with the label or the word. And that’s wrong. Maybe Kim knew it was wrong too, because now she’s trying to explain herself. Her latest essay on her subscription app is called “Why I Don’t Label Myself a Feminist.” It should be called “Why I’m a Feminist But I Don’t Want to Be Called a Feminist.” Some highlights, via People:
“For me, feminist is someone who advocates for the civil and social rights and liberties of all people, regardless of their gender; anyone who believes that women should have the same choices and opportunities as men when it comes to education and employment, their bodies and their lifestyles. Of course I want these things! I’m all about empowering and uplifting women.”
“Obviously, there are things about me that people might say make me a feminist: I work hard, I make my own money, I’m comfortable and confident in my own skin, and I encourage women to be open and honest about their sexuality, and to embrace their beauty and their bodies. But why do we have to put labels on things? You’re Republican, you’re Democrat, you’re bisexual, you’re plus-size, you’re poor, you’re a criminal, you’re a mother, you’re a feminist. I’m a human being, and I have thoughts, feelings and opinions about a lot of different things.”
“I don’t need to be defined by those beliefs, just as much as I don’t want to be set apart from – or viewed as being against – those who DO define themselves by those beliefs. I feel that being grouped or labeled can create separation between people who do (or don’t) fall into certain categories, when they may actually share many of the same beliefs and goals. It’s not about he, she, gay, straight, black, white. The fight for equality is about ALL human beings being treated equally – regardless of gender, sexuality or ethnicity.”
“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.”
Why I Don’t Label Myself a Feminist…while espousing as many feminist thoughts as possible. Why I Don’t Label Myself a Feminist… is the reason why more women need to label themselves feminists, to destigmatize the words “feminist” and “feminism.” Why I Don’t Label Myself a Feminist… because equality, choice, respect are just labels, right? I have to admit, these semantic arguments are exhausting and tedious and Kim should have moved past the “no labels, haters!” phase of life 20 years ago. In fact, I would argue that these picayune semantic squabbles are actually doing a disservice to the real work being done for women’s equality.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
What kind of workout tights contain that booty but appear both opaque and matte? I hate sheen on my running tights, almost as much as I hate see-through-ness.
Asking all the important questions (?)
[Though I’d like to know too]
I’ve gotten some nice ones from Victoria secret.
It’s weird but the sheen makes you look leaner. I always wanted matte but I got given a heap of sports leggings by a friend who works for a sorts gear brand. The shiniest ones absolutely look the best and make you look leaner. I would have thought it was the opposite but they are way more flattering. Now I want the ones with the most sheen!
I don’t get it at all and you’re right that she’s making it seem like it’s not ok to be a feminist. Hey Kim, you don’t have to free the nipple to be a feminist. Just believe all the stuff you clearly already believe :/
Why are women offended by such a simple concept. If you believe in equality between men and women you are a feminist. There is really nothing more to it
I don’t get it either.
I don’t get it either. And it’s not just stars either. I have had this discussion with many friends, who are clearly feminists. It’s so very frustrating
Because they think it’s not v attractive or sexy to the opposite sex. Obtuse.
this hurts my brain (and my soul)
I believe there is a standard definition of what feminism means and what it represents. The whole ” for me, feminism means” statement just makes it feels like it’s wrong in its current state and it is not.
This. And the word does have such negative connotation.
She doesn’t want to be called a “feminist” but she is just fine with being called “b*tch” by that misogynistic pig she married. But hey, don’t label her.
This! Thanks
She, like any other celeb, like labels that fit with their image and narrative. Of course she would reject feminism! Can’t let people know that she’s in control of her money and that she has people spending money, time and energy to keep her and her family afloat on the pop culture waves. Let’s pretend she’s stupid so people can infantilise and mock her when she’s ensuring that millions keep flowing to her bank account. Paris Hilton taught us nothing.
Being called a b*tch is nothing to Kim. Remember, Kanye elevated her and the rest of her family from a solid B+ to straight up A-list. She got an American Vogue cover for christ’s sake, not even Vicky B has that! He never shuts up about how amazing she is and he flat out worshipped her for giving him the family he so desperately needed and wanted after the loss of his mother. She let him chase her (even during her relationships AND marriage) until SHE decided to date him officially and even got him on their show + their kids! I hate how rappers like Kanye demean women with these words but the real b*tch in this scenario is not Kim, trust 🙂 The word has no real power over a woman that is making more bank than her man and who’s always doing her thing. That family will end him when he and Kim split up so let him have his sexist words while basically kissing the ground she’s walking on because he knows deep down, he ain’t shit 😀
The word means “dog.” The misogynistic pig is calling women dogs and putting out there that he gets to control and have power over the dogs and she is fine with that. And I am not fine with any woman who would support and ENCOURAGE a man with such disgusting, hateful, and harmful views of women.
Those two jerks are raising children! What are they teaching their son about how to treat women? What are they teaching their daughter about her place in the world, as some man’s b*tch?
She’s fine with it because her life goes on just the way it did before. She actually ensured a legacy by marrying to a real ‘star’.
It’s not negatively impacting HER although the general impact of those behaviours and words do hold a lot of power over women. We all know Kim only cares about herself so I don’t expect her to care for others. She is a feminist in a way, for herself but not for the cause in general. It’s an exclusive type of feminism that we can see in a lot of famous women. Therefore, I don’t break my head over trying to understand why Kim won’t label herself, I think it’s a good thing because she’s never going to be a true ally to the cause.
As for the kids, they’re in the Kardashian family, they’re lost anyway. Although I hope that North’s dislike for the media will continue when she grows up and she turns out to be a badass woman who is nothing like her family! And that she will influence her brother.
@lilacflowers….this! It’s even worse that what you said. Bitch is commonly used only when referring to a female dog. Nothing derogatory for the male dog.
Would anybody like to take a guess on what Kanyes reaction would be if someone called his daughter a bitch? I realize she’s just a baby right now but play along with me and let’s pretend she’s older. Cause I bet it’s going to happen at some point.
@Artemis OMG, I loved this! Simply and perfectly put.
@ Artemis you could not be more right!! people don’t even realize it… I was actually one of those people until I saw past everything and saw the woman who is one of the richest in the world. I may dislike the way she carries out her business but she is sooo making BANK! Also I don’t think what she says was totally stupid.. I don’t like labels either. labels ensure you’re in a particular category which is the reason for sooo many problems in the world right now. I never thought i would say this in all my life but… Kim is right. Do what makes you comfortable even if people call you “b*tch” for it. Her not identifying as a feminist doesn’t mean she’s not one. she just won’t call herself one.
I am guessing she’s afraid of her sex symbol status if she calls herself a feminist, except I think most of her fans are women now. Besides, if a man likes me less because I’m a feminist, that sounds like a “him problem”, not a “me problem”.
I think you’re right, INeedANap. It’s all related to her image. And doesn’t she free her nipples on a weekly basis? I swear I’ve seen her nude more than I’ve seen myself nude.
DING DING DING: This INeedANap, is the crux of the Matter, You can’t keep Kowtowing to the Maxim/King/Playboy Demographic while saying Feminist… It makes them Flaccid and THAT is why the Majority of them refused the label, before Beyonce Showed em that women would Coalesce around you all the same and the male constituency wasn’t as important ( see Immediate Taylor Swift co-opt) … Alas Kim’s direct constituency for… her ..shill? I guess? is Men so..
That is precisely it. Many, many people still think of feminists as bra-burning (which wasn’t even really a thing), man-hating shrews who reject absolutely everything about being female. Um, no. Some people are like that, sure, but that’s the same as considering every Muslim a member of ISIS, or every Christian a member of the Duggar family. Which is complete nonsense, but highly pervasive.
But the negative connotation remains and Kim’s #1 priority is her image. She’s hyper-feminine, available, and most importantly non-threatening.
Oh she’s not posing nude in every magazine that will take her for her female fans, that’s for sure, she knows where her money lies and she’s been afraid to spread em.
Being anything less than a sex automaton would be a ‘Kim’ problem, without that what is she in her own mind?
Um Kanye is a rapper, I don’t understand this minivan mindset some of the commenters have. How is saying a word like bitch in a song mean he is a mysoginist?
Sallysue oh please stop with the minivan comment. The word has been used against women in rap since the beginning. Even Queen Latifah made a song about it years ago. Pretty sure she’s not considered part of the minivan majority:
“”U.N.I.T.Y” is the Grammy Award-winning song by rapper/actress Queen Latifah’s 1993 album, Black Reign. The single, released on January 6, 1994, spoke out against the disrespect of women in society, addressing issues of street harassment, domestic violence, and slurs against women in hip-hop culture.”
It’s a slur that’s mysoginistic and damaging and shouldn’t be used. And it’s still prevalent in rap today. Not much has changed.
I have never driven a minivan and do not intend to drive a minivan ever. I’m an attorney practicing employment law. Cases in which somebody calls someone else a bitch are costly. It is a sexist slur, as inappropriate in a workplace, as demeaning and full of hate as a racial slur. And yes, he is a misogynist. He applies that word to women along with the concept that he owns them. That he is a rapper does not excuse his behavior. It is not acceptable in any context. He released a video in which he not only called women bitches but implied that he had control over their naked bodies, going so far as to show an image of one of his exs splayed open for his satisfaction. I do not call for censorship. Let the jerks show who they are. But they should not be encouraged or condoned or excused. They should be called out and exposed for what they are and experience consequences for it. Just as one would for racial slurs. He is a misogynist and his wife supports, defends, and encourages it. They are both disgusting.
The interesting thing is… Kanye is aware of the negative effects re homophobia, or at least he was aware of it back in 2005:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp45-dQvqPo
…yet he willingly throws women under the bus? I wonder if anyone has directly asked him what his feelings are on misogyny and feminism in an interview before?
OH DEAR GOD SHE’S AN IDIOT.
Just say you’re afraid of the label. Just say you think it’s too “aggressive” or “political” or makes you worry you won’t be attractive to men. Just say that, and we can have a conversation about those assumptions. Don’t pretend “I’m not a feminist, I’m an EQUALIST” is an actual argument.
That was my immediate thought, too, Jennifer – that she’s being careful to not alienate her male admirers, lest they think she’s no longer the sex bomb she’s portrayed herself as. She’s been “writing” a lot of essays lately, yeah? I suppose she has to fill her website with something of…substance…
Do you think she is doing all the writing herself? I don’t.
Which is what makes her anything BUT a feminist. I’m forwarding this to my former colleagues at NOW so they can all get a good belly laugh at what some now think defines feminism. Wow, all our work for all these decades for nothing…shame.
“Obviously, there are things about me that people might say make me a feminist: I work hard, I make my own money, I’m comfortable and confident in my own skin, and I encourage women to be open and honest about their sexuality, and to embrace their beauty and their bodies”
Substance? I mean, even in this quote, it’s clear that she interprets feminism in terms of how it’s applied to HER incredibly-insular, highly-privileged life–in other words, the narrowly-defined, superficial aspects are the only parts of feminism that resonate with her. Nothing about feminism being a necessity in countries where women are still fighting to have the same basic rights as men.
Oh that’s right, who cares about all that because she’s not a feminist anyway.
Man, everyone in this f*cking family from Kris to Caitlyn to Kim–all sound so damned privileged. SMDH
@Just not for a second. Whoever did write did well.
Just Bitchy:
No, I don’t believe she writes (most of) the stuff on her site. To be fair, I’ve never checked it out, and am only basing this opinion on what I’ve read when other sites lift content and report on her essays.
This. A zillion times.
I’ve had this same argument with some people who are against gay marriage. They’re like, “well, I think gay people should have the same rights and everything, but I don’t want them to be able to call it a marriage, so I’m against gay marriage”. Wut? So you think they should be able to get married, with all the legal benefits therein, but the word is off limits for…….. reasons? They don’t seem to have reasons beyond “I don’t like it”.
I agree wholeheartedly with Kaiser. More women should be able to say proudly that they’re a feminist. I hate that so many young women are afraid of the word. Which is clearly why we still need feminism. Jeez.
Why I Don’t Label Myself A Feminist by Kim Kardashian (in translation):
I have a brand to sell. A sizeable number of my customers dislike feminism.
This!
It’s true though, isn’t it?
Meryl’s only a “humanist” because she has a very lucrative position in the industry to defend. If feminism defended it better, she’d be out there saying she is a feminist. Kim’s the same, just a less articulate more low rent version.
Kaiser’s probably right. Both these women could well hold – probably DO hold – feminist views in private. But until feminist views sell better than fence-sitting or anti-feminist views, you won’t hear them say so.
#agreed
it is clear from what she writes that she is a feminist but puts being a business woman above that and thinks that that is enough
it isn’t
Benefiting from the decades and decades and decades of the women who fought, sometimes giving their lives, for equal rights is not the same thing as being a feminist: she benefits from all that long, bloody work.
“Obviously, there are things about me that people might say make me a feminist: I work hard, I make my own money, I’m comfortable and confident in my own skin, and I encourage women to be open and honest about their sexuality, and to embrace their beauty and their bodies” – None of this – *not one thing on this list* has anything to do with being a feminist. It’s a list of reaping the benefits, nothing more.
@Kitty “Substance? I mean, even in this quote, it’s clear that she interprets feminism in terms of how it’s applied to HER incredibly-insular, highly-privileged life–in other words, the narrowly-defined, superficial aspects are the only parts of feminism that resonate with her. Nothing about feminism being a necessity in countries where women are still fighting to have the same basic rights as men.”
Word.
This + 1000
YEP! This precisely. Obvious woman is obvious.
Nailed it!
Got it in one.
…….And they’re generally not that bright so I can just hand them some drivel about rejecting the word while actually claiming to espouse all that the word means.
She’s not wrong, unfortunately. It’s like saying you’re not a Capitalist but you believe in the free market and healthy competition in business.
Yep. Exactly.
I really wish she would go away. UGH.
I’m done with these celebrities and their bullsh*t. If labels make you uncomfortable, maybe we should get rid of nouns. Of course you label yourself. You LOOOVE to call yourself a business woman or a MILF. But god forbid the label might alienate men and endanger your sex pot image. You’re a feminist whether you like it or not.
We need labels. Not all of them but when one is, at its core, such a positive thing and you love all that it entails but don’t want to use the word? Then we need to talk about why.
But at least she didn’t call herself humanist.
“If labels make you uncomfortable, maybe we should get rid of nouns.” LOL.
“Of course you label yourself. You LOOOVE to call yourself a business woman or a MILF.” Also true, but not funny, at all.
The only people who should be wearing cycling shorts outside of a velodrome are… well, no one.
I am a womanist. Feminism isn’t for me. Sorry.
To me, womanism is basically the same thing as feminism. Which doesn’t make any sense so I just choose to not I. D as either one. I’m all about BWE now and myself.
To each his/her own.
Why?
feminism was and is not exactly welcoming to anyone not being a white woman. even now most of the discourse is aimed at white women in higher positions. think of Sheryl Sandberg and her “advice” thats completly irrelevant to 99% of women.
If you enjoy your right to vote, own property, and get an education, you’re automatically inducted into the Feminism Club. Welcome, we have cookies.
Um. Wow, what was unfortunate.
You don’t know the history/context behind the word “womanist”, right? I’ve seen you post before, you’re not a troll. I think you legitimately meant to be inclusive, but just managed to be *incredibly* dismissive. (You didn’t just put your foot in your mouth, you shoved your entire leg down there!)
Quick history: “Womanism” is basically a reaction of black feminists who felt that feminism was too white, too non-inclusive. The key quote is “womanism is to feminism as purple is to lavender”. Feminism is an aspect of Womanism, but the latter is broader, more open to discussion of race and class.
So, basically, what just happened here is that someone just said they feel that feminism is too white, too narrowly focused to include them … and you told them to be shut up and have a cookie.
To top it all off, you even mentioned the right to vote, without recognising that various Jim Crow laws in Southern States meant poor black women might’ve had the “right” to vote since the 1920’s, but actually had limited practical ability to do so until 1965. That’s EXACTLY the kind of thing that makes non-white women feel disenfranchised by feminism and want to create their own movement that takes into account scenarios where there are multiple layers of discrimination.
Eh, everything has its flaws, I was so happy to hear about womanism until I saw it too had its blindspots and prejudices.
The truth is I want the advocation and improvement of female life dammit, and I’m whatever term you want to call me that lets you know that I came here to do that and chew bubblegum and I’m alllll out of bubblegum.
I don’t understand. From the comment above, womanism is the black and/or minority focused feminism, right? And nothing black or minority people ever do could be wrong or imperfect so I’m confused. Please explain to me how white people are to blame here because this seems like it could be really racist somehow.
Oh Sunny…shhhh, not on my comment boo.
She should have a show in which she and Sarah Palin discuss world events and opine on social justice. It would be hilarious.
She’s an idiot. That’s why I wasn’t team Kim about the nude selfies. Because it wasn’t about feminism at all and I knew it. It was self serving.
“I’m comfortable and confident in my own skin.” Especially now that I have all these surgeries.
And what the hell does “free the nipple” even mean?
I believe it’s a backlash against the women who burned their bras in the 60s and 70s, who were fighting for women’s rights then too.
I’m guessing any feminist actions involving violence or aggression by or for women is viewed by today’s young successful mega insulated rich or influential women/girls as “not politically correct” or as someone noted above “potentially offensive and harmful/risky to brand, revenue, profits, business etc”
Kim lives in a privileged bubble. She seems to have no idea… sigh. I’d like to see Angelina Jolie seated next to her at a dinner or hell, have Kim try to speak with AJ and see how that goes. I wonder if that would help.
“Free the nipple” is a gender-equity campaign, that argues male and female nudity should be treated the same. Mostly you hear about it in regards to Facebook and Instagram, because both companies censor even the slightest hint of female areola, but have no problem with pics of shirtless males.
Lucrezia, thank you. Although I must say at this (mid) point in my life, nipple freedom is the last area of importance to me – reproductive freedom, wage equity, financial and political equity, education access, change in sexual assault laws and prosecution – these are all feminist issues to me. And I have been proudly calling myself a feminist for forty years.
It’s about the depiction of the female body, specifically the breast, as a sexual object and therefore indecent. While men are allowed to run around shirtless women must be covered. It also ties into the whole breastfeeding in public debate. The idea that breasts are solely for the male gaze and have no other purpose. Or at least we admit to no other purpose. The movement is against the fetishization of breasts to the point where “we” as a society cannot handle even the hint that a nipple may exist in a nonsexual context.
I’m intellectually “pro” gender-neutral nudity laws, but personally far too shy to have any interest in flashing my own nipples. (Clearly I’ve absorbed the idea that female breasts are sexual, even though I know it’s just as silly as sexualising female elbows.) There are numerous reasons why considering female chests “lewd” or “sexual” causes problems: public breastfeeding can be a hassle, women can be made to feel they need plastic surgery to be attractive, large breasted women can be stereotyped as slutty.
But the interesting question here is why Kim is NOT a bigger supporter of the campaign. She’s simultaneously happy to pose nude and to obey the “no nipple” rules. I’m actually quite curious as to her reasoning.
I wish we could just ALL keep our clothes on in public, male and female. I’m so tired of everything being sexualized and pornified and people just wandering around indecently. I don’t want to see your bits and pieces, have some respect for others and keep some things for your own personal at home life. When I see people in totally inappropriate things like super short shorts with their butt cheeks hanging out, or skirts with no underwear I think…you’re sitting that down on public benches and other filthy areas. And in the case of no underwear you may be (I’m sorry this is disgusting) leaving fluids on public spaces. I wish I could wear a full body hazmat suit in public lol.
This is not meant to “shame” anyone or deny them sexuality or whatever. It is simply asking that you have some respect for other people and exercise some good judgment. Do what you want at home! Yes this is a major pet peeve of mine 😀
Badrockandroll….PREACH…I’m fifty and I am raising a feminist.
A woman who was introduced to the world on her back should have nothing to say about ‘free the nipple’ people.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but- though I’m disappointed that she doesn’t call herself a feminist and she is misguided…I actually told her to reconsider the issue and examine it on her facebook page….AND SHE DID :). ( No, I do not do that type of thing at all.) This what makes her and Kanye soul-mates …they are both exhausting and insufferable but occasionally remarkable. (Kanye’s old albums are amazing, side note) I am glad that she has done some thinking, as naive as it is.
You mean you’re glad she instructed her or team to write it. LOL. I don’t believe she wrote the follow-up essay.
It’s not well crafted enough to be done by a team.It’s not researched and it’s misguided.So, I do believe she wrote.
Yes to the great discussion here on the need for the word feminism and actions for same.
It’s interesting. I follow initiatives for girls and women in undeveloped countries. Big supporter of that, the right to education, safety to get to education, to use public washrooms for girls safely, so much danger out there still for girls and women. And then there are the developed countries, where we’re still learning about wage disparities between men and women doing the same work with the same quality and level of work, rape on university campuses and elsewhere, even the Presidential election is not free from discriminatory tones and actions against women (ie. Hillary in this case specifically).
So based on all of that, not even thinking of the bra burning of past feminists, the right to vote campaign, all the really major initiatives which women hurled themselves into with great risk and cost most of the time, if any female today says she is not a feminist I have to ask – did you go to school? How can we help you understand the need for this and that it’s OK to support feminism?
We have no trouble supporting LGBT, transgender, gay, all other movements much needed to stop isolating and discriminating against people. What in the world is so damn threatening about feminism? It’s making me sad. Seriously.
Because whether we admit it or not, feminism has, sadly, become really tangled in the whole regressive left, SJW-type of thing. And lots of women see that and say, “It’s not for me.”
There are really two feminisms today – the basic idea of female equality, which is “little f” feminism, and the broader Feminist Movement – “big f.” Big F Feminism, in part due to the really strong push towards intersectionality, has gotten really pulled into the general Left – and unfortunately, that means its part of the regressive left too. Sadly, you can go on plenty of sites (particularly something like Tumblr in Action, though there are others) to see exactly how crazy its gotten. That’s a turn-off for a lot of people.
And I think the difference between feminism and the movements you cite is that feminism has, in some ways, lost its definable goals. The LGBT movement has always been able to focus like a laser on very particular goals – marriage equality, ending discrimination in hiring, ending discrimination in housing, etc. They focus on very clear, discernible goals and work towards them. If you generally look at the Feminist movement, it’s still fractured and its goals are fairly nebulous, which doesn’t help. It has no strong, clear, discernible goals – which hurts it. It also tends to get into other ancillary movements that may or may not have any actual validity.
That’s just my personal view on it. Personally, I would not identify as a feminist for the reasons mentioned above (as well as others). But that is obviously just me.
Using SJW as a pejorative says a lot more about you than the people you’re describing. Using the term social justice as some kind of insult is regressive and damaging.
I can’t take anyone seriously who uses that nonsense acronym.
You’re absolutely right but the comparison to the LGBT movement is a bit problematic simply because for women, on paper, things are mostly great. We can, in theory, do everything men do and be everything they are and live our lives exactly the way we want to. On paper. Except if we’re lesbian or trans etc. but then we fall into a second minority group and our rights on paper are fewer so we have something very tangible to fight for.
Our mothers and grandmothers fought for the tangible rights and except for women’s health/the choice issue, there’s little left for us. Now, in reality there are TONS of issues, big and small. But to define them and agree on them is nearly impossible. Especially if you consider that, for example, for black women the gap between paper and reality is even greater.
I would say we have to differentiate between being a feminist and a feminist activist. The first shouldn’t be a discussion unless you’re actually not in favor of true equality.
ETA: I’m not touching the SJW comment. But I do have a question. If you’re not a feminist, how do you describe your views? Please do NOT say humanist.
@INeedaNap: Except the pejorative is largely warranted. Plenty of actual writers have called them out for their intolerance of dissenting speech, particularly on college campuses, their infantile protests, their ridiculous demands. If you don’t get exactly why it’s a pejorative in the first place, that makes me not take YOU seriously.
@littlemissnaughty: For me, the problem with Feminism is that it’s quickly becoming a “solution in search of a problem.” Early Feminism had tangible goals – secure the right to vote, get laws against sexual harassment, criminalize marital rape, etc. Those have all been achieved. So I think current Feminism became kind of rudderless, looking for things to do. And that’s why intersectionality popped up – it allowed feminists to spread into other areas of concern. The problem is that they often mess it up.
I think it would be great if everybody could agree “men and woman should be equal.” The problem is that we have a hard time defining “equal.” In the Second Wave, the belief was that, in order to be equal to men, women essentially had to “become” men. The trappings of femininity were derided and mocked as “prissy” and there developed this belief that a woman had to exert the same energy and attitude as a man to be his equal. That didn’t work. The backlash of the third wave basically said, “Whatever a woman does, it’s cool, you can be equal to a man while still being femme!” Which on some level is great – we can acknowledge inherent differences between the sexes while still believing them to be equal. The problem is that went too far, into the whole “I choose my choice” thing – everything a woman does is now empowerment. I dislike that as well. There’s got to be a middle ground where we can both celebrate sex differences and view them as equal and complimentary. I haven’t really seen that yet. I also do believe that feminism does not do enough to concern itself with the genuine issues that men face as group (yes, they do have their own issues). If equality is really the goal, we must also concern ourselves with ensuring that men are brought up to the same standard we seek for women.
I don’t want to ramble, so I’ll just say that I agree with you totally in theory. However, I do think that right now, the “feminist” label is deeply in flux, so I don’t deride a woman who rejects it right now. The duty is on the movement to clean house and figure out what it actually wants and represents. Right now, it’s simply too nebulous for a lot of people to feel at home in it.
ETA: I identify generally as egalitarian. To me, that term encompasses the belief that the specific issues facing women should be addressed ALONG WITH and in equal importance to the specific issues facing men. And yes, men do face some serious issues (you can read up on it online). I do not believe one takes precedence over the other, morally speaking.
@Sam
I’ve never seen more infantile protests than the whiny manbabies of Gamergate and the raging complaints of Tumblr. If your biggest problem is some annoying kids then you live a very small life. Egalitarianism is the end goal of social justice, not its opposite.
Idk who you are. If you’re a woman, one day those to whom you so willingly defer will turn on you. You will need your sisters then.
Sam, you had me until “So I think current Feminism became kind of rudderless, looking for things to do. And that’s why intersectionality popped up – it allowed feminists to spread into other areas of concern. The problem is that they often mess it up.” and then I was out.
Seriously. We’re looking for problems??? No. We’re not. We’re having a hard time agreeing on the specifics and for some people that seems to be too difficult to handle. Define it for yourself. Start there. Don’t judge too harshly. Listen to other women and their perspectives. And for god’s sake, if it’s all too much for you, go back to basics. We, feminists, aren’t the ones creating problems. People like you, who won’t accept a philosophy unless it’s perfect, are the issue.
Half of humanity is female. We’re NEVER going to agree. Not even close. And I don’t feel the need to come up with an idea on how to, on top of everything else, incorporate men’s issues. Such as they are. Because then we can just call the whole thing off. Men, in general, are fine. The issues they face can mostly be traced back to the patriarchy, not feminism. THAT is where most people get it wrong.
And btw, feminism is too convoluted complicated for you but you’re fine with egalitarianism? No. You just like it better because it doesn’t focus on women.
“What in the world is so damn threatening about feminism?” that women make up half the population and do basically all the reproductive work. so this is about power and demographics. men are afraid that once women are not structurally disadvantaged anymore, they will stop having children with assholes. see also: reproductive rights/birth rates in developed countries. it’s a power move.
This is a dumb essay. I’ve always been very open that I believe there are good reasons to not call oneself a feminist. However, Kim isn’t articulating any of those reasons here.
But truthfully, part of me is glad she doesn’t. To me, somebody like KK embracing the label would simply serve to dilute the label into meaninglessness. This is a woman who preaches body acceptance (an important idea) but then alters her own body to a degree that she looks almost nothing like she did before. She preaches empowerment for women, but seems to derive her own “power” solely from her materialism and vapidness. I’m sorry, but frankly, I don’t care if KK is a feminist, and frankly, we’re probably better off that she’s not. feminism should not be diluted to the point of meaninglessness. It should actually stand for something and have representatives who, you know, actually model the ideals. KK is not one of them.
I agree with all of this.
I agree, because I loathe that kind of consumer feminism but I still hate that she (and others) don’t know the difference between a philosophy and a label.
yes!
She didn’t even write that long essay. And I don’t believe she is a feminist. So why try to make her admit it?
“Why do we have to put labels on things?” Because language is one way how humans we understand each other and words have power. I’ll admit I didn’t read the whole thing. No need to. So dumb.
Well, obviously she didn’t write the essay, every other word wasn’t “like” so what does it really mean. The girl is just really stupid and ignorant, but hey, she makes good money and that is what it is all about
I have many problems with the modern feminist movement. As a Latina I feel largely ignored by the White dominance of the movement; and 3rd wave feminism lacks the power and teeth of previous waves. I am not here for feel-good wishy-washy empowerment nonsense, I want actual change.
But if anyone asks you bet your tuckus I am proudly repping the Big F.
high five!
I have to admit sometimes I give many sighs on what young women are using their efforts on in terms of feminist social change. Ironically ‘free the nipple’ gets under my skin too, sure it sounds good but it’s so small minded and coming from a place of privelage. Not to mention the fact it’s like trying to promote animal rights by protesting in a supermarket.
Psst! Ladies! You don’t go to the end of the assembly line where it’s comfortable and easy when your problems are in the factory. Each day a new young man is told how he still has a chance for a future and they don’t want to punish him too harshly since he didn’t know better than to rape some unconscious girl. If the free the nipple campaign succeeded today it wouldn’t do a damn thing to change how we prosecute actual sexual violence against women and the perception of their bodily rights.
Serious question here. See how that one buttock (funny word!) is kind of low and baggy in that one pic? Is that her implant? Will her buttkin slide lower and become saggy if she doesn’t get it fixed every so often? Or does strengthening exercise keep it tight and positioned correctly? I’m not trying to smack on her body; I’m just very curious about the enhancement.
totes cool her hubby calling women in his songs b*tches but god forbid, she be called a feminist!
Geez. Someone mark the date — I am about to defend Kim K. That’s a new one.
I understand her point. Labels are limiting. They lead to stereotypes which are also bad (and good). But once you’ve been labeled, you lose your individualism and all the nuanced complexities and occasional contradictions that make us unique. Rejecting labels is rejecting being pigeon holed.
I have to go shower now. I feel oddly dirty. Need to wash the Kim vibe off I’m feeling.
Yes but how does Kim feel about labels like VIP, First Class, Star, etc.? If some PA on her show tried to act like her equal because LABELS, I’d love to see her reaction.
When something is an irrefutable fact–calling it what it is with her agreement is likely appropriate. Being a boss is an irrefutable fact if you hire, fire, pay, etc. as for the rest of it — ask her, I damn sure didn’t accept the label of “debutante” bestowed upon her by her husband……nothing factual or irrefutable about that one !😎
tbh, I don’t think she’s a feminist either, I think she’s just a narcissistic capitalist, but then again that’s what western pop feminism seems to be these days.
Not defending Kim K, who’s essay here only exasperates the problem, but surely feminism entitles one the right to be a narcissistic capitalist, no? Can’t you be both?
But IS Kim Kardashian a feminist? No, really.
I think we need to start distinguishing between women who advocate for THEMSELVES and women who advocate for ALL women. I think I’m seeing a trend in the women who buck the title feminist not for intellectual disagreement but because they don’t like labels or some other nonsense.
Let’s be honest…at their core, in their actions they DON’T advocate for the improvement and accomplishment of other women. I don’t think there’s a woman on earth, family members included, that Kim Kardashian would sacrifice a shred of her Privelage and comfort for to help.
THAT is feminism. Civil Rights weren’t about getting one person off the plantation. Gay rights didn’t mean stopping when Ellen Degeneres got her first show. It is the improvement and advocation for EVERYONE that falls under the titular banner.
I actually think Kim ISN’T a feminist. Because she would happily see another woman destroyed (Amber Rose) to ensure her little bubble remains unpopped. This doesn’t stop at Kim either, the more I think about it the more I also see it in Meryl Streep and others.
If it comes down to them being chosen or them making effort to help another woman so that they can BOTH work, they’re choosing themselves everytime.
+1,000
Agreed.
Totally
@The Eternal Side-Eye, I’ve lurked on this website for a long time and your posts are always the truth. Perfectly put! I always say when it comes to this family, my biggest problem with them is that they are purveyors of BULLSHIT. She’s a feminist when she wants to take her clothes off and people say “oh god, here we go again” but let’s not forget how her and her sisters slut shamed the hell out of Amber Rose and have treated Chyna like she’s so much less than them. That is the antithesis of feminism! On top of that, not admitting that their bodies (and faces) are fake is obviously an effort to make people believe they’re “perfect.” If you’re a person who wants to see women doing good and wants to uplift women, why would you want them to envy you? Janice Dickinson has a book out called “Everything About Me is Fake…And I’m Perfect” I appreciate that title because it implies she isn’t trying to make other women think that she’s superior to them.
Furthermore, I also don’t respect or appreciate how Kim likes to take credit for all of the products she is involved with, as if she’s a chemist in a lab creating everything from scratch. There are TONS of people working under her who get zero credit and when you boil it down, she is little more than a spokesperson. This is not someone who cares about other people, this is a person who cares about herself, so like you said, she isn’t a feminist but she is an opportunist.
Preach! ESE!
Great additional points Michelina.
In addition, she’s successfully emulated the ‘appropriate’ beauty standards for women. So of course, why would she want to do any work to ensure that women are seen as whole people and not just for their looks? She BENEFITS from women being judged on looks first and everything else second. She’s better looking than many women so she benefits from that attractiveness being held as far more important than intelligence or anything else. Expect to see a much more feminist lean when she’s in her 50’s and sad about her sudden non-existence to the world.
@Michelina
Why thank you!
And yes to both of your points! We always hear it framed that “Well of course so and so is a feminist, they’ve taken control of their own lives.” but that doesn’t really mean anything.
We give the title of those who believe in advocating for a class of humans their name because they advocate for ALL of those individuals. You are not a feminist if your inner mantra is “me first, last, always” and we have plenty of evidence of Kim making concerted effort to destroy another woman, or even just her outright callousness to the suffering of other women, her sisters included.
I’m totally cool with her not being a feminist because ultimately she’s not.
@pinetree
It is seriously so hard for me to picture a 50 yr old Kim. I wonder what route she’ll take. Plastic surgery until something goes wrong and she’s disfigured, or attempting to reinvent herself in that sudden feminist role as you said. Either way it will be slow and eye roll inducing, that’s for sure.
Yes yes yessssss!! I’m sorry but KK isn’t a feminist. At no point in her life has she ever been a bastion of feminist principles. Just no. I agree whole heartedly with you @eternal side eye
All I’m going to say is, feminism is not a label.
This is why when she gets naked I see nothing strong or liberating about. She is merely pandering to the misogyn in society. Feminism is not a label, probably why she’s not into it. For being in her thirties she seems to take a teenage tone, “ugh, don’t like, label me, ok?”
Sigh. We now live in a world where a whole lot of people seem to think that everything is a matter of opinion. The word “feminism” actually has a definition, Kim. You’re either a feminist, or you’re not.
So tired of celebrities giving their opinions on what words mean “for them”!
Yes! Words do have definitions, of which the meaning is not subjective!
I know someone who rejects objective meaning and hides behind whatever miscue their take on the word is.
Let’s just put the definition out there, for everyone’s reference:
“feminism: the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.”
Certainly someone who caters to a controlling other (mother, husband, narrow concept of what is sexy or how to be female,…) is NOT a feminist. Why does anyone bother asking this ignorant twit anything?
Stupid. It’s called being stupid. I don’t care how rich she is, I don’t care how good she is at exploiting for business purposes. She still murders logic.
Feminism is not a dirty word, Kim. If you believe in equality and agency for everyone, you’re a feminist. Stop being part of the problem.
She likes to label herself as an entrepreneur! So her excuse not to call herself a feminist because she doesn’t like labels is null and void!
I know this is old news, but why, WHY would anyone do that to their ass? It is so bizarre and odd looking. I can’t even focus on the post with this ass on display.
I agree… she just looks deformed. Especially where they injected fat into her ‘hips.’ Also, her nose keeps getting further and further away from her lips.
Right?! I just saw a video of her boxing posted on a website and as her body becomes smaller and more fit, her legs have become extremely thin. When she bends to the side in the video, it’s like concrete proof that her butt is totally fake. It’s very surprising to me how many people actually believe that her butt is real.
Over and over women I see women who reject the notion that they are a feminist. I think that it’s because they believe that being a feminist means you’re a radical or participating in bra burnings and sit ins ala the 60s. They don’t really get that it means being an advocate for women and their issues. Kim is just…ugh. Can’t stand her but I must say that this is the best I have seen her look in years.
Ooooooo, mustn’t be a radical, that would be a no-no….
Kim Kardashian is definitely, absolutely NOT a feminist and itd be a lot more harmful for her to say that she is. Her whole schtick relies on mysoginist institutions. In all honesty, the fact Kim is very clear about telling people she’s NOT a feminist is the only thing I like about her. I cant stand that Emily Ratadjnfkeekeifmoski school of feminism about ending patriarchy with wet shirts and booty shorts, because as we all know, sexist men have always been intimidated by attractive young women showing them their boobs.
I just can figure out how anyone could look at Kim f*cking Kardashian and think she’s done anything for feminism. If we didn’t live in a mysoginist society she wouldnt have a career (career? you can call it that?)
Meh. This seems like an effort to be benign, which really surprises me since she has displayed a newfound confidence since she has been married to Kanye. Maybe she’s also trying to be trendy. Look at all the female celebrities who can’t say quickly enough that they aren’t feminists. Either way, I think it’s very stupid. I think a lot of celebrities are afraid to say that they’re feminists because a lot of people have their own ideas about what feminism is.
I don’t entirely agree that Kim is a feminist because I don’t respect or appreciate that her and her sisters sell their store bought faces and bodies as natural, god-given features. By not being honest, I take it as them trying to say, “don’t you wish you had my body?” and I think it’s really disgusting. For example, Kim just made a Snapchat video the other day standing sideways and she says verbatim, “guys, doesn’t my waist look so photoshopped?” There are legions of young girls and grown woman leaving comments on Kardashian/Jenner Instagram accounts about how much they wish they had their bodies. Why not be real and admit you’ve had work done, unless you’re striving for people to envy you? I think a feminist is a woman who wants to see all women feeling good about themselves and doing good.
To me, a feminist is not a woman who wants other women to think that she’s better than any other woman is. I can’t buy Kim or any of her sisters as feminists when I’ve seen the way they treat Chyna and/or Amber Rose, as if they believe they’re better than them.
She verbally danced a tango to keep from saying she’s a feminist.
But she’s ok with being labeled a milf
Kim was basically victimized by her own mother, who created a bunch of hypersexualized messes of daughters and turned them out for money…Kim is anything but a feminist, for certain. She really has no true sense of self- she seems to simply do as she was trained.
I’m a feminist, but I get why a lot of women don’t want to call themselves feminist.
First, so many feminist leaders repeatedly say/write that you can’t be a feminist and pro-life. Ok, that eliminates about half of all women in the US.
Next, there are endless essays and proclamations about feminism that are just total nonsense or bs attention-seeking. This runs the gamut from public nudity or promiscuous sex to debates about whether or not makeup is feminist. My favorite example, however, was an article “Is breastfeeding your neighbors kid the new feminism?”
I think it’s fairly silly to insist that someone who overtly, passionately denies it is a feminist. Most of K’s life and career has been centered on her hyper-awareness of the sexual male gaze and of objectifying herself to be pleasing to it, through honing her body by fairly stringent plastic surgery and posing as provocatively as possible. That male approva/desire is essential to her sense of self goes without saying, and her utter lack of awareness of the causes and concerns of other women (who she views, for the most part, as sexual competition, or non-entities) certainly would seem to insure, to me, that she’s right: she really isn’t a feminist. She is far too lacking in awareness of the world and of people outside her to care enough to be one, even while she gets to enjoy the fruits of labor of actual feminists before her. Don’t understand why the writer at this site keeps telling us Kim is a feminist, when she’s made it clear that other women do not matter to her. She has made her career off of being attractive to men, she does not have much appreciation for anything else. Calling this narcissist a feminist is just too ludicrous a reach.