#BlackLivesMatter is still the moniker for a movement to raise social consciousness of the peril and brutality many African-Americans have faced with police and law enforcement. As you know, in recent years these cases have become high profile with protests, arrests, and civil unrest. Sadly, most celebrities, even African-American ones, have remained silent about the situation. To many this silence is an insult, as the appropriation and love of Black culture is at an all time high, but love for Black people seems to be nonexistent.
The Kardashians in particular have been accused of this as most of them have dated or been married to African-American men and women (Rob Kardashian and Khadijah Haqq were hooking up, remember?). However, none of them have made a statement about any of the high profile cases like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, or Eric Garner. Kim Kardashian, interestingly, “tweeted” about the Sandra Bland case.
As you recall, Sandra Bland is an African-American woman arrested in Texas for failure to signal when changing lanes. After being insulted by her arresting officer, and threatening to have his badge when they go to court, she was slammed into the pavement, then later booked and jailed. That following weekend they found her hanging in her jail cell. Soon, speculation surrounding her death caught nationwide attention. Just yesterday, Sandra’s death was ruled a suicide. This, however, has no one satisfied as the woman had just moved to the area to start a new job and new life–not something most suicidal people would do. The case remains under investigation.
Kim described the aforementioned tragedy as “shady.” Many have applauded Kim for speaking out on the situation, attributing it to wanting a better world for her half-Black daughter, North West. Although, this is the first time any Kardashian has spoken out on a case, it is not the first time Kim has spoken about racism. Last year she penned an essay about a White woman’s reaction to her daughter and how she really was not aware of so much racism in the world. Honestly, Kim’s tweet is nice and her sister, Kylie’s retweet was sweet, but it is not enough. The Kardashians are media magnets and their influence on the current generation of young people could truly add fuel and awareness to an epidemic that is claiming the lives of men and women. In fact, Kylie may be only retweeting based on an Instagram comment from Amandla Stenberg after she posted a picture of herself wearing cornrows:
when u appropriate black features and culture but fail to use ur position of power to help black Americans by directing attention towards ur wigs instead of police brutality or racism.
Amandla’s comment went viral and she has a point. Where is The Kardashian-Jenner Clan who love Black men and Black skin so much when they are being wrongfully shot in the back during routine traffic stops, or walking home in their neighborhoods, or even when nine of them are massacred in churches? Maybe #BlackLivesMatter when their names are Kanye West, Lamar Odom, James Harden, or Tyga? Get it together Kardashians, or are checks your sole motivation to do anything?
