I honestly have been indifferent to the frenzy about the debut of Kim Kardashian’s rather large highly glossed gluteus maximus aka big butt on the cover of Paper Magazine, this past week. The way I see it, both Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, her husband, have perfected the art of selling sex and controversy, while smiling all the way to the bank.
And while the public pretends to be thoroughly annoyed with the duo, they sure have made them filthy rich and famous. So much so, Kanye has the audacity to compare his wife’s star power to that of the First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Indeed, with over twenty million fans following Kim on instagram and millions more on Facebook and twitter, American society has communicated it values Kim K. more than actively engaging in the socio-political issues that loom over us and threaten to undermine America as a world power.
The demand for Kim K. is not limited to Americans. Nigeria, the giant of Africa, boasting over twenty three billionaires also has its own voracious appetite for Kim K. Indeed, two years ago, we saw a Nigerian concert organizer pay an astronomical amount, not counting travels and accommodations, just so Kim K. could make a one minute appearance on stage. (I promise you it’s real. I can’t make this stuff up.)
Despite my indifference to Kim K’s larger than life butt debut on the cover of Paper Magazine, it is indeed truly interesting to read, listen and watch the heated debates across the internet, radio and television over her butt debut.
In mulling over some of these strong reactions by the general public over a celebrity’s butt, I can’t help but ask the following questions:
1. Is Kim Kardashian’s butt appearing fully naked on the cover of Paper Magazine a showing of true feminism? Is that why some are so upset? Do women now control the narrative on the over sexualization of their bodies?
I mean Kim, despite being married, still has full and complete control over her body to share it with the world as she deems fit. Isn’t that considered true and equal power? Feminism? She doesn’t need anyone, not even her husband, to “let her” show off her body.
2. On the flip side, is the showing by Kim of her butt on the cover of Paper magazine a reflection of the women’s movement gone backwards? Arguably, if her husband consented to the showing, is it an indication that we still live in a society where some men are glad to pimp their wives to the highest bidder?
What is it about Kim’s big butt on the cover of Paper Magazine that has many so upset? Even Time Magazine could not help themselves. They seemed disappointed with a headline and article that stated that Kim K’s butt held “empty promises.” Was her butt supposed to have promises in the first place? Is that a scathing remark and article because she controls her narrative?
As a society, I think we need to re-evaluate our priorities. Surely Kim K’s butt and nudity in the face of pressing socio-political issues shouldn’t be flooding our internets and airwaves, or did I miss the memo?
I want to hear your thoughts. What say you?
-Uduak
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