Is Kim Kardashian confusing female empowerment with self-promotion?
The mom-of-two firmly believes nudity is the way to assert her strength as a woman. Is she misunderstanding feminism? Let's take a closer look
Pretty much everyone on the internet has seen Kim Kardashian's naked selfie by now.
It's also common knowledge that it stirred up quite the debate, once again, as to why women need to bare their bodies to exhibit their freedom of expression.
Jacqueline Lunn of Mamamia may be on to something as she wrote what a lot of people may be thinking: "Stop using the word empowering when you really mean marketing. They are not interchangeable words just as burgundy does not mean the same thing as table," she urged.
Sure, each woman is allowed to define what true empowerment means to them but it begs to be stated how the mum-of-two may be confusing promoting female empowerment with just straight-up self-promotion, which she and the rest of the Kardashian brood, are wont to do.
Being the biggest reality stars on the planet pretty much assures the public that each moment of their lives is captured on camera or blasted throughout social media.
So, what the aforementioned article's driving at seems to make more sense when viewed in this context.
In fairness to Kim, this display is how she believes she exudes the true meaning of being 'sexy' and empowered.
“It’s so important that we let women express their sexuality and share their bodies," stressed Kim.
READ: Kim Kardashian responds to backlash: ‘I’m a mother and I’m allowed to be sexy’
Of course, there was backlash. One of those who criticized Kim was the iconic singer/actress Bette Midler.
While Bette Midler's comments were in not exactly promoting female solidarity, Kim's response was just as unsettling:
hey @BetteMidler I know it's past your bedtime but if you're still up and reading this send nudes #justkidding
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 8, 2016
A lot of people didn't find it funny at all. In fact, it was deemed ageist and rude.
Kim's latest 'empowered' move
In her latest nude update, she and model/actress Emily Ratajkowski, recreating Kim's first nude selfie, are topless with black stripes over their chests while they are flipping off their reflections in a bathroom mirror.
Again, all in the name of empowerment, as they believe.
But, as Jacqueline Lunn points out, it bears consideration that these two women spend a lot of money and effort into creating this desirable and enviable image and physique to make themselves feel good. It's also largely because it is a way to market their "brand" as international celebrities.
So, it should come as no surprise that their followers can't quite get on board with the whole nakedness-equals-empowerment idea.
Lunn said it best: "Kim’s nude selfies are not about feminism. They are not about liberation or empowerment. They are not about female inclusion. They are about female exclusion. They are about selling the Kardashians. They are about celebrating the “right” type of body – thin, flat stomachs, big boobs kind of like a blow up Barbie."
When we're like...we both have nothing to wear LOL @emrata
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on
What do you think, mums? Should a woman lose her clothes to gain true empowerment?
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.