Kim Kardashian has been a cultural icon for the past two decades. Her family name is undeniably tied to American pop culture, and she represents the power that social media has on a person’s life. Her influence in the makeup and fashion industry is unmatched, and her fame propels her and her family’s every move on a national stage.

Unfortunately, her historical legacy includes Blackfishing, which is when a social media influencer passes as Black by altering their appearance. It is a form of cultural appropriation because it allows Kim Kardashian to choose the "interesting" or culturally relevant aspects of Black culture to further her brand without engaging with the broader experiences of being Black.

Kim Kardashian's history of Blackfishing is well-documented, and she has worn Fulani braids on multiple occasions, which is a protective hairstyle that originates from the Fulani people of West Africa. Kim Kardashian and her sisters have been called out numerous times for appropriating traditionally Black hairstyles.

By portraying them without giving credit to the originators of the hairstyles, it misattributes the source and sets the tone that the most popular version of something is the one that created it.

People on Twitter and Instagram were quick to respond to Kim’s recent appropriation of Black hair. One Twitter user said, “Put your hair up in a high pony and go to the fashion show like everyone else.” Twitter user @tevinauguste wrote, “WILL SHE EVER STOP YOU ARE NOT BLACK.” These comments show that she is not immune to criticism and people do recognize her wrongdoings, but they do not seem to make a difference in Kim Kardashian's worldview or actions.

As a celebrity, her decisions are broadcasted to a national stage, and the millions of people who follow her are impacted by her actions. When she appropriates Black culture in such an obvious way, it sends the message that you can simply take and remove parts of Black culture when it's convenient for you.

To wear traditionally Black hairstyles when you aren't Black shows the tone-deafness of the Kardashians and the lack of awareness of the cultures that they steal from.

Honoring culture is different from appropriation. When honoring, you inform your audience on the history and roots that you are basing your ideas or, in this case, fashion off of. If you implement different cultures in your life without giving credit, the meaning becomes lost and would be considered appropriation.

Unfortunately for Kim Kardashian and her family, this is not the first time they have been caught doing this. Khloé Kardashian posted a picture of herself wearing Bantu knots, which is a hairstyle commonly worn by women of African descent. Kylie Jenner posted a picture of herself for her 19th birthday in red cornrows on her Instagram.

This pattern shows a grander theme of the Kardashians sporting hairstyles worn by Black women in order to improve their brand name and popularity. They do not have to identify with Black women or the struggles they face with their hairstyles, nor do they have to deal with the civil rights lawsuits Black women file in order to wear their natural hair at work.

They can simply pick and choose when they wish to wear black hairstyles and revert to more Eurocentric features when they feel the need to.

I believe that Kim Kardashian’s platform is so large she has lost touch with most of society and cannot understand the repercussions of her actions. To occupy such a highly publicized place of society for so long makes you believe you are better than most people and sets a belief system that you can utilize part so different cultures to your liking.

Kim Kardashian does not see the problem because she cannot empathize with the originators of the styles that she steals from. The people in her circle are clearly not educated enough to inform her of her wrongdoings, and having an inner circle of people who perpetuate and validate her behavior only reinforces it

Everybody get their own problem, na her own be that. I'm tired...

Na because of Kim k na im person write this whole epistle.

Aidejay:
Na because of Kim k na im person write this whole epistle.

Oboy i just tire.

She is a millionaire and her husband is a billionaire in Dollars, yet her husband allows her to do her instagram olosho nudity in peace while he is a born again Christian... I think love is about tolerance...

you cant marry olosho you must marry a virgin, see how happy Kanye is with his olosho

to the topic, that's braiding and it isn't exclusive to fulanis alone

.

A Nigga Once Said: Is that write up not too long for an irrelevant post?..

Can these 'blacks' seek inner peace instead of this constant whinning so they move ahead in life?

Or should whites write epistles of Nigerian ladies trying to 'whitefish' with their Brazilian extensions and faux accents?

See Kim K looking fresh.

This op has nothing to do with his life

This woman is Good!! For only one thing I can think of... And it involves a whole lot of extreme and intensive movement...



At least that is the vibe I get ...

Xclusiveme:
This op has nothing to do with his life

I don't know why now people on Nairaland now are just so "somehow" must you comment with insults if you know you have nothing good to say then keep all your negativity to your self sometimes I have a feeling that all these people have a lot of negative emotions inside them and they want to find any means to pour it out don't get me wrong I understand but please never in your life pour your anger on me go and find someone else,ok!

And to the remaining of you I found this article on a website when I searched on Google if the Kardashians were black and I decided to share it for other people that don't know.

I REST MY CASE.

Imagine, so Kim cannot wear her cornrows in peace again

Aidejay:
Na because of Kim k na im person write this whole epistle.

i bow ooo dis 1 na story book

solmus:



She is a millionaire and her husband is a billionaire in Dollars, yet her husband allows her to do her instagram olosho nudity in peace while he is a born again Christian... I think love is about tolerance...

you cant marry olosho you must marry a virgin, see how happy Kanye is with his olosho

to the topic, that's braiding and it isn't exclusive to fulanis alone

.

If you want to marry olosho you are free. But don't come and be giving us detailed analysis if the advantages of marrying an olosho. Go and marry yours in peace.

bukatyne2:
Can these 'blacks' seek inner peace instead of this constant whinning so they move ahead in life?

Or should whites write epistles of Nigerian ladies trying to 'whitefish' with their Brazilian extensions and faux accents?

See Kim K looking fresh.

black women aren't allow to wear their natural hair to school and aren't employ to work if they have that type of hair.

But when a white woman wears it, she then start making money off it and people will hail her even mumu black men.

If you don't know how it feels don't tell people how to act when it doesn't concern you.

Igbosmoker:
black women aren't allow to wear their natural hair to school and aren't employ to work if they have that type of hair.

But when a white woman wears it, she then start making money off it and people will hail her even mumu black men.

If you don't know how it feels don't tell people how to act when it doesn't concern you.

In America of today, black women aren't allowed to wear their natural hair to school or work?

Ok.

Keep whinning while Mama North keeps shinning.

bukatyne2:


In America of today, black women aren't allowed to wear their natural hair to school or work?

Ok.

Keep whinning while Mama North keeps shinning.

same way they will laugh out nigerians looting their future and killing themselves even though there's no whites there, same way they will laugh at our complains of corrupt leaders saying we can't rule ourselves.

America is a very anti black racist country potray by media as heaven, there are some areas in stated blacks aren't allow except you are ready to die.

Of course Kim Kardashian keep cashing out because she steals black Americans culture and profited from it, the only thing she and her family like about black people are BBC.

Same story with many white girls, they hate black women but like dick