We have all been there at some point. You find yourself standing in a checkout line with a large rack of tabloid magazines screaming the latest scandal headline in your face when you’re just trying to buy a loaf of bread. More often than not, at least one headline features the latest gossip regarding the famed Kardashian family, whether it is Kim’s latest meltdown, Kourtney’s latest relationship struggle or Kanye West’s latest offensive outburst. The family as whole has certainly made their footprint in society, starting from the trial of O.J. Simpson, when Rob Kardashian, Sr. put his family on the map as Simpson’s defense attorney, during his 1995 murder trial.
The family eventually landed their own reality TV show on “E!” Network and have provided years of drama and entertainment for the public to enjoy. They remained in the spotlight during sex tape scandals, micro marriages, career choices, family growth and utter jaw-dropping narcissism. After all is said and done, the family is simply nothing but a perfect example of exactly what is wrong with society and the downfall of morality and lack of common humility in popular culture. It boils down to a simple examination of what values the reality TV family represents.
The sisters are notorious for acquiring different plastic surgery procedures in order to fit a mold they wish to represent. Kylie Jenner, 18, has obtained so much work, she hardly looks anything like she used to. It goes beyond the sisters and reflects society as a whole, promoting a look and an aspiration that is simple unattainable. I look at what the girls have done to themselves, and I can’t help but think of my future daughter. Are these the types of people I want my young daughter looking up to, thinking this is what she should work toward? Do I want my daughter thinking she needs to change the way she looks in order to fit something that, in the end, will not make her truly happy? Of course not! I want my daughter to look to women who are famed for their accomplishments and their acts of charity, not for having the biggest sexual asset in Hollywood.
Caitlyn Jenner (formerly known as Bruce Jenner) retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete, has also given me another reason why I have elected not to care about this family. Bruce, father to Kendall and Kylie Jenner, came out as a trans woman in 2015 and elected to be called “Caitlyn Jenner.” Caitlyn is now the most famous openly transgender woman in the world and has been applauded for her contributions to the LGBTQ community. The problem comes in when Caitlyn was nominated for and won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the 2015 ESPY Awards in July. Caitlyn was up against American veterans as well as terminally ill athletes who brought inspiration to people everywhere. To me this promotes the idea that changing yourself is more commendable than fighting for and defending our country, and more commendable than following your dreams while fighting for your life.
After Caitlyn won, not much was said from those who lost, but I guarantee you that had Caitlyn lost, and uproar of discontent from the media would have erupted, accusing the organization of homophobia and intolerance towards the LGBTQ community. To me, the stunt seemed nothing shy of self-promotion as well as disrespect toward those who were more deserving of the award. Caitlyn repeatedly said she did not desire attention for what she was doing but went on to do multiple highly promoted interviews, write a book and start a separate TV show around her new life. If Caitlyn truly wanted to do work for the LGBTQ community, it seems to me she would have made it less about herself, and more about others.
Lastly, and what could be the largest problem with the clan, is the lack of common humility in the family, primarily in one of their newer members, Kanye West. Kanye is notorious for saying very controversial things on his social media sites as well as in his song lyrics. In 2007 on The Wendy Williams Show, Kanye stated, “I am the number one human being in music. That means any person that’s living or breathing is number two.” Very insightful thought, Kanye. There have been multiple incidents where Kanye has proven he truly sees himself as above others and better than anyone else. He fails to take others into consideration, and everything he does is a matter of self-promotion. What kind of example is this setting? The rest of pop culture tends to follow this trend, simply promoting themselves and failing to see much else. It is all about who did what, who wore what and who failed most recently.
On his 2012 album Cruel Summer, Kanye stated, “The media crucify me like they did Christ,” in the song “I Don’t Like.” Kanye has also begun referring to himself “Yeezus,” and it truly does concern me that the man sees himself as comparable to Jesus Christ. Kanye West, with a net worth of $145 million, has compared himself to a man who had nothing, served others, lived humbly and was eventually tortured and killed for all of us. It bothers me that in today’s media, this is seen as okay. Yet, if he were to identify as a God from a different religion, the political correctness police would be all up in arms to shut him down. Where is the defense for Christianity? Kanye is the exact opposite of everything Jesus Christ stood for, and his self-comparison to the man is nothing short of inconsiderate and thoughtless.
With all of that being said, it is simply time for a shift in societal role models. It’s time to put people in the spotlight who do what they do for the sake of others and promote a lifestyle that centers on love, compassion and common humility. Build a society that is something you would want your children to model themselves after, and build values that bring people up rather than tear them down. It’s time to stop giving attention to those who are famous for being famous and give it to those who make the world a truly better place.
