Exposing the KK

Exposing the KK...

Let’s be honest, the Kardashians and Jenners are no strangers to the appropriation of any of the cultures of the world. It seems that their favorite location of cultural appropriation appears to be sourced in Black Culture. From their "boxer braids" aka corn-rows, full lips via injections, dreadlocks, Bantu knots, and a long list of wrongfully credited "trends" and their lifeless imagination they may finally get exposed for their undeserved fame.

The sisters have been deemed trendsetters when they should have been deemed professional thieves of cultures, ideas, and etc. for profit. I wonder what happens when the culture vultures transition into direct appropriation from Black female designers. Particularly, Khloe Kardashian was recently called out by Destiney of Dbleudazzled Designs. In Khloe’s case, she ordered one of everything including custom pieces from the Dbleudazzled Designs site and used them her Good American lookbook. In the lookbook, the designs were passed on as Khloe's own without the knowledge of the original designer. Hence, Destiney was at first hesitant to call out the uninspired crook but took to Twitter to call Khloe out for her “snake” like ways.

In similar fashion, Kylie Jenner has shamelessly copied the designs of The PluggedNYC Store which is owned by a designer name Tizita. You guessed it, Tizita is a Black woman. After being gifted pieces by the brand, Kylie Jenner has "coincidentally" created a similar line. Kylie has posted selfies wearing the brand before so it's no wonder that Kylie became overly inspired by the PluggedNYC brand. Forever meanwhile, Tizita ensures that she didn’t create camo two pieces but sure did revive the look from the 90’s. Now Kylie's decision to replicate the brand using her star power is essentially taking money out of Tizita's pockets.

For us, this event just broadcasts Kylie's bold attitude toward appropriating what is not rightfully hers. She has shown this attitude before. After Amandla Stenberg called her our for "cash cropping" on corn-rows, Kylie defiantly stepped out wearing the hairstyle. Hence, Kylie demonstrates blatant disrespect for sensitive aspects of Black culture. She is able to recreate her disrespect towards women of color in different forms without a care in the world. While she continues to assume the profit, without the burden she perpetuates the very problem with her privilege.

Black women have known that the Kardashian Klan is problematic for quite some time. However, the audacity—shall we say caucasity"—of both Kylie and Khloe makes me wonder how ordinary stealing someone’s concepts is for the family. Quite honestly, the previous sentence was naive and sounds sarcastic because such thievery is how the sisters perpetuate their fame. These women must imagine inspiration as a completely different concept as most people, but then again they obviously have no imagination to begin. Thus, the lack of independent artistry. Can someone tell me why the Kardashian/Jenner Party isn't over?

This story is poorly covered by the media as if this story worthless. While such Kardashian appropriation is not a new concept, this direct replication of an already existing brand of clothing by a star should be an issue that receives widespread attention. The lack thereof points to the low value that has been placed on Black perspectives and challenges in modern society.

Are Black women and our contributions to American culture not worthy of recognition? Not only have the Kardashians snubbed the issues at hand, but so has the media. How far would it have to go for Black women to be able to demand respect? When will the time come when Black people receive credit for their abilities to remain the trailblazers in the world of the already discovered? Black women continue to get the backhand when we are the very paradigm in which society bases its inspiration. Black girl magic is not a myth, but the world continues to neglect our incantation.

Wanting to appreciate the culture is one thing, but straight out appropriating culture another. Imitation is not always flattery. Receiving credit and profit off of what the general public finds it difficult to respect Black people and their culture when it is in our hands is highly problematic. Claiming that such cultural transactions are beneficial denies the false veneer multi-culturalism that continues to perpetuate social hierarchies. Black people are the keepers and creators of popular culture.