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MISOGYNY DISGUISED AS FEMINISM
Private Notes
Private Notes
Notes
The Kardashians are huge figures in popular culture today and most people either love them or hate them. Personally, I wouldn’t have much of a problem with them if they weren’t constantly selling unhealthy “weight loss” products. You know the products that I’m talking about and let’s be honest, everyone acts like it’s completely fine and normal to advertise something essentially promote eating disorders. Not eating isn’t healthy and when we normalize products like this, people start to believe that it is.
About a month ago, I watched an interview with British Actress and activist Jameela Jamil where she spoke about her problem with the Kardashians and their promotion of appetite suppressants and unattainable body standards. Jamil called out the Kardashian’s as “double agent(s) for the patriarchy” and I am, for one, here for it and damn glad she did. For too long, I’ve watched the Kardashians advertising appetite suppressants and waist trainers and wonder how the hell they’re not being called out more often for promoting unhealthy beauty standards to their massive social media following.
With all of their money, you’d think they wouldn’t need to sell such ludicrous products and ideals. These are women that young girls look up to and I think that they hold some responsibility to set a good example and be mindful of their influence. No doubt, you can always claim that you didn’t ask to be a role model, but the fact is that you still are one and that needs to be taken into consideration. They know full-well what they’re doing by promoting these products, it certainly isn’t a secret.
The age of social media is upon us today and I’m sure that we can all agree that it’s not entirely always a positive force in our lives. With the rise of “Instagram models”, beauty standards are as out of control as ever. However, I can’t say all of it has been bad. Personally, I’ve found so many body positive and amazingly inspiring women to follow on social media who have truly helped me feel more confident and proud of my body and who I am. However, I see just as much, if not more, of the complete opposite.
On January 2nd of this year, just a few months ago, Kim Kardashian advertised to her 126 million followers that she just can’t get enough of her *insert company here* meal replacers. She gloats about how she just feels so much better with a flat stomach. I mean, give me a break. Advertising to young girls that they should have “flat tummies” in order to feel good about themselves is just plain anti-feminist. She even claims that the company in question is “all about getting women back on track.” Suggesting that women need to starve themselves to get “back on track” is not only ignorant, but completely insulting to women everywhere.
Now, I don’t hate the Kardashians or anyone selling this unhealthy and damaging narrative, but I do think that they need to be called out for it. In fact, Kim Kardashian claims to be a feminist, but I’m not certain that she even knows what they means. It is not feminist to sell starvation. It is not feminist to use your influence to promote unhealthy and unrealistic beauty standards. Period.
And I get the confusion, trust me, but feminism has become so watered down by people like the Kardashian’s that it just seems more like misogyny disguised as feminism at this point. I hate to say it, but just claiming to be a feminist doesn’t make it true. Being a feminist means supporting all women, no matter their race, size, socioeconomic status, or what they have between their legs. It means encouraging girls to be themselves, not encouraging them to starve themselves. The Kardashians can claim to be feminists all they want, but I don’t see them as feminist icons. I see them as frauds, trying to pander to all audiences. If you’re going to be a feminist, be one, don’t just say it. Words mean nothing if right action doesn’t follow.
As a culture, I hope that we move away from harmful messages about women’s bodies that promote the patriarchy and towards a future that loves and accepts us as we are. I hope that the Kardashians and the social media community can recognize the hurt and damage that advertising unhealthy diet products causes and become true feminists through their actions.
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Comments
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Yeah this is pretty wrong. Just shows what her true intentions are. Making money. She doesn't care about the young girls she's influencing or the affect these kind of things can have on their lives. Really don't know why so many people follow her.
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Being an influencer comes with a certain responsibility. The Kardashians consistently preach and promote unrealistic expectations that derail girls, boys, women, and men. I am glad they are being held accountable.
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Thanks for your comment, I appreciate your input :)
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constantly selling unhealthy “weight loss” products. You know the products that I’m talking about and let’s be honest, everyone acts like it’s completely fine and normal to advertise something essentially promote eating disorders. Not eating isn’t healthy and when we normalize products like this, people start to believe that it is.About a month ago, I watched an interview with British Actress and activist Jameela Jamil where she spoke about her problem with the Kardashians and their promotion of appetite suppressants and unattainable body standards. Jamil called out the Kardashian’s as “double agent(s) for the patriarchy” and I am, for one, here for it and damn glad she did. For too long, I’ve watched the Kardashians advertising appetite suppressants and waist trainers and wonder how the hell they’re not being called out more often for promoting unhealthy beauty standards to their massive social media following.
I have other problems with them, but this is an issue too. The fake flat-tummy tea, and the waist trainers, knowing they use photoshop, filters, and surgery to acquire and maintain their appearance is really damaging to girls and women in society.-
They certainly could stir up a lot of complaints for various reasons, that's for sure.
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She even claims that the company in question is “all about getting women back on track.” Suggesting that women need to starve themselves to get “back on track” is not only ignorant, but completely insulting to women everywhere.
I completely agree. As you said, "Being a feminist means supporting all women, no matter their race, size, socioeconomic status, or what they have between their legs. It means encouraging girls to be themselves, not encouraging them to starve themselves. The Kardashians can claim to be feminists all they want, but I don’t see them as feminist icons. I see them as frauds, trying to pander to all audiences. If you’re going to be a feminist, be one, don’t just say it. Words mean nothing if right action doesn’t follow." I completely concur with this. Being a feminist is uplifting women out of damaging positions, against inequality in the world. What they do, is not feminism. It's just as damaging as misogyny.-
I always appreciate your feedback, I'm so glad that others have identified this issue as well!
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Speaking the truth here. People are too focused on attention as opposed to whether it is the right type of attention as well.
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Thank you for your comment! I'm grateful that others recognize this and feel the same way!
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Thank you for pointing this out. I have always felt that this family is toxic for society. Unrealistic body images, promoting altering your body, instead of teaching people to love themselves the way they are, etc. I have honestly never liked the family, especially Kim. When I saw the video of her in high school it confirmed my feelings that all she wanted to do was be famous, no matter what it took to get there.
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Thank you! I completely agree! It's all about money and fame to some people.
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Your article is so well written and the points that you are making definitely need to be talked about more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
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The Kardashians are the FARTHEST thing from what a feminist is or what feminism is about! I love Jameel Jamil, she isn’t afraid to call it like it is! We have lost our way when it comes to role models. They used to be people that actually did good things, pioneered in the unknown, Neil Armstrong comes to mind, and did something worthwhile for society, MLK, Jr., Maya Angelou and so many others. Today, it’s who is the prettiest, the richest, has the most of this or that. Where did we go astray?? Now we have the Kardashians, which for the life of me I have no idea why they were ever plucked from obscurity in the first place. Their photos are photoshopped, if I recall, they were going to sue some photographer for trying to publish a “real” pic of one of them because it showed them without all the makeup, perfect posed image and all the rest. These people are out of control! What have the Kardashians given back to society? One of them is now a billionaire, and how much of that money is she using to actually help people in this world?? It’s all about the next gimmick they can come up with to make more money. That is not a role model.
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Every one of those Kardashians, starting with their mother have done nothing but trade on that name ever since in became sensationalized during the O.J. Simpson trial. We have Robert Kardashian to thank for that . Had he not taken that case, I'm quite sure we would have heard from those women in some form of the media but they wouldn't be the creatures they are if it hadn't started there. They all trade on that name because it's all they have. I have never followed or listened to any of them because they have nothing of substance to offer. They are total fakes who have a cross section of the public completely brainwashed. They are only popular because of that cross section of people. I bet if they had ad campaigns telling people to wear burlap sacks and eat nothing but freshly mowed grass people would believe everything they said about it and do it. There are far too many sheep and not enough decent, hard working shepard's in our society today who care more about the health and well being of human beings than they do about popularity or wealth.
I agree. I just wish people would use their influence for good more often. Not that the Kardashian's never helped anyone, but I don't think they know the damage they're doing by promoting these products.