This past Thursday, Mac Cosmetics posted an Instagram photo debuting Caitlyn Jenner’s first collaboration with the company. “Finally Free,” a rosy pink lipstick created by Caitlyn herself, will donate 100 percent of its proceeds to the MAC AIDS Fund Transgender Initiative -- an organization that is dedicated to bettering the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS.
The ad campaign itself portrays Jenner in a sultry black corset, standing in front of a mirror applying the lipstick. When I first saw the photo I assumed it was simply an outtake from the Vanity Fair article she had done back in July 2015. The infamous spread shot by Annie Leibovitz had a similar overtone, with Jenner posing in various body suits and fitted dresses, with perfectly polished hair and make-up, outwardly showcasing her femininity for the first time.
Throughout the following weeks, controversy set in and everyone from transgender activists to Jenner’s own family members had something to say regarding the shoot and the Dianne Sawyer interview that took place two months previously. One of the most interesting articles I read on the subject came right after Caitlyn (still Bruce) gave an interview to Ms. Sawyer.
In her article, “What Makes a Woman?” New York Times journalist Elinor Burkett concluded her musings on Bruce, gender-norms and femininity with this paragraph:
Bruce Jenner told Ms. Sawyer that what he looked forward to most in his transition was the chance to wear nail polish, not for a furtive, fugitive instant, but until it chips off. I want that for Bruce, now Caitlyn, too. But I also want her to remember: Nail polish does not a woman make.
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the majority of Jenner’s transition has focused on her physical appearance. Of course I’m happy that she feels as though she is, for lack of a better term, finally free to experiment with make-up and feminine clothing; but I’m also a bit disheartened with regard to her advocacy initiatives.
As arguably the most famous transgender woman in the world, her global platform reaches millions of people. With more than 3 million Twitter followers and 6.5 million Instagram followers, Jenner’s voice holds a type of power that most could only dream of. With that being said, I believe that she’s faltered in terms of using her platform to her fullest advantage.
As an avid watcher of her reality show, "I am Cait," I know I am not alone in this argument. Her entourage, which includes actress Candis Cayne, professor Jennifer Finney Boylan and activist Chandi Moore, have all voiced concerns that Jenner isn’t utilizing her privilege and power as well as she could be. Each would like to see greater initiative in helping embattled transgender people.
Thinking back to Bruce’s past appearances on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians," he always remained fairly stoic, noting that he never really enjoyed the public eye or the frivolity of fame. However, now that Caitlyn has fully come into her own, she has a responsibility to use her influence to help those who are not in the position to help themselves.
