Just Because Kim Stood By Kanye Doesn't Mean She's Not A Feminist
As of yesterday, the deliverance of Pokémon Go from the evil clutches of Canadian servers gave us a refreshing dose of reality as we craned our necks away from our familiar phone screens for a hot second.
However, since the issue was resolved, we have even more reason to relish in the internet via the glorious Kardashian clapback that is now trending as the #KimExposedTaylorParty. Pass the Champagne. Hors d'oeuvres, anyone?
For those unfamiliar with the pre-existing issue, in Kanye's most recent album, Life of Pablo, the track entitled “Famous” garnered spotlight due to its controversial nature, particularly these lyrics:
For all my Southside n*ggas that know me best I think me and Taylor might still have sex Why? I made that bitch famous
Yeezy lovers clung to the line's notorious shade, while T-Swizzlers found the line to be shameful and crude. In recent months, Swift has denied approving the lyrics, further fueling disrespect for Mr. West.
Last night, West's wife, Kim Kardashian West, released Snapchat footage of Swift and Kanye discussing the song in explicit detail during a phone call. The internet broke yet again.
Some are praising Kim's domestic loyalty, but many are in a frenzy about how Kim can claim to be a feminist when she blatantly threw Taylor under the virtual bus. To these people, I say that we must remember human decency knows no sexuality, gender or class.
The issues guiding this chronicle of the West-Swift conflict represent deeper jabs at integrity, honor and artistic regard. In the call, Kanye tells Taylor, “Relationships are more important than punchlines,” explaining his motive in initiating contact: consent.
Taylor additionally says she appreciates his call, the same call she laters tells the media never occurred. (For clarification, Taylor was referencing the part when Kanye calls her a "bitch.") For Kim, as a life partner to Kanye, how could this issue not spark confusion, resentment and hurt?
Surely, Mrs. West is accustomed to herself and her loved ones being critiqued in the public eye, but when the claims are easily disputable, I'm surprised she could contain the footage for so long.
Feminism iterates the demand for equality of the sexes in all regards, and to let a person — in this case, Taylor — to blatantly shame another human is not acceptable for a man or a woman. Despite the objective definition of feminism, it means different things to different people.
For Kim, feminism is often seen as embracing her own body and sexuality against mainstream taboos that censor female nudity. She's released unedited photos of her body, and nobody is entitled to reject another person's form of empowerment.
As often as her figure is praised, it is torn down by brutal critics and web trolls. Maybe Kim doesn't fit your definition of feminism, but this incident doesn't prove she isn't committed to empowering women. If anything, it just demonstrates she stands up for her own, which is something most people can understand.
Kim has built original, yet profitable ventures in her video game and other endeavors, but is still able to joke about the origin of her fame. We have to remember everyone is dealt various cards. On top of this, she is a sister, daughter and mother who will receive more viral criticism than any of us would tolerate.
So, before you shame Kim for betraying the trust of a fellow female, recognize all the factors. Kim did not make a statement about Taylor that was without warrant, and Miss Swift is no stranger to Twitter wars. She can hold her own. Certainly, this was not the highest road to take, but it was some A1 vengeance.
Whether you love Kanye, hate Kanye or are waiting for the drama to pass, it is hard to deny that Taylor brought the storm upon herself when she tried to discredit one of the most innovative hip-hop artists in music.
