I tuned into The Webby Awards this past weekend to support my idol, Lena Dunham, as she accepted a Special Achievement Award with her partner Jenni Konner for their fantastic "Lenny Letter." Instead, i was affronted with Kim Kardashian and her Break the Internet award. She was given this for her numerous nude selfies - which she doesn't plan on refraining from anytime soon.
I am about to express my unpopular opinion. I am tired of the Kardashians. I am a student of popular culture and love promoting successful women, but I wish the focus would shift off of them. I suppose I admire them in a strange way. Their rise to fame has been astronomical and based upon on no talent at all. Well, that is an exaggeration. They are incredibly talented at capitalizing on every opportunity and promoting themselves. For those who do not know, the Kardashians came into the public eye when their father, Robert Kardashian defended O.J. in his high-profile murder case. After Kris Jenner and Kardashian's divorce, she married another star, Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) and the rest is history in a TV show. They have had major "glow ups," both in fame and appearance.
Still, to me, the Kardashians are like the adult world version of that girl in high school who thinks it is cute to act dumb. We all acknowledge the behavior, laugh it off and let it continue to happen. I am tired of it.
I am lucky enough to have many positive role models. Both women in my life directly, my aunts, grandmother and mother, as well as distant stars who set an example of an achievable success. They are attainable and represent positive body image. So much of what other generations complain about with the millennial generation, which is an entire other issue that annoys me, is reflected in the Kardashian behavior. An entire book of selfies isn't promoting healthy confidence, it borders on egocentric. Spending hours in the gym, because they have the money in resources to do so, doesn't make young girls feel good about themselves. A lot of women can't afford lip injections or the nicest clothes. All of the Kardashians, most notable Kourtney, stay in long-term, emotionally abusive relationships that the public glorifies. They live lives of excess. It is unhealthy to aspire to that. However, that is what is being shoved in our faces everyday. This Kardashian Culture need to stop.
Society is fascinated by the infamous family because they represent the true goal of us all. They are wealthy, they are successful and they did it by the sole talent of self-promotion. Still, why don't we shift the focus to celebrities who use their position to do good? Why don't we focus on the good role models? Famous and non-famous? It might make a world of difference.
