We know, we know; we were supposed to start screaming “Cultural appropriation!” from the rooftops upon hearing that Kim Kardashian’s latest venture, a lingerie line (Savage, much?), will be called—get this—“Kimono Intimates.”
[Chuckle break.]
OK, we’re back. Yeah, that’s ... wack, on so many levels. But none of them seem to be levels worth mustering enough energy to care about (at least, not more than the Met Gala). At this point, accusing a Kardashian of cultural insensitivity or appropriation is like saying it’s Wednesday—oh, wait, it is Wednesday, which means I’ve got meetings, or a manicure, or something better to do than worry about what thoughtless K-branded item will be hitting the market next.
I mean, seriously. If we have to talk Kardashian, wouldn’t you rather sit here and koncentrate on that kouture, slightly smoked kat’s-eye Kim rocked at the Katholicism-themed Met Gala on Monday? (See? I’m talking Kardashian. It’s krazy easy—way too easy, and emphasis on “krazy.”) Do we even kare if there are actually any kimonos in Kim’s new line?
And before you @ me about how the Met Gala appropriated Catholicism, we’ll save you the trouble: The Vatican—arguably the foremost authority on Catholicism—actually donated dozens of items to the accompanying exhibit, making the Met Gala theme a collaborative process, not an appropriative one. (Believe it or not, similar steps were taken for 2015’s China: Through the Looking Glass theme.) How celebs interpreted Catholicism (tastefully or not) isn’t exactly on the tiny shoulders of Anna Wintour. (Plus, religion and culture aren’t synonymous, so @ your priest.)
This isn’t to say that cultural appropriation doesn’t matter (or that it only matters when it happens to black folks). It does matter, and it’s wearying. But there’s only so much outrage a habitual offender deserves (and admittedly, a perfect cat’s-eye requires infinitely more skill). Besides, much to our delight, Japanese culture and Rihanna’s hustle aren’t all that Kim is appropriating here, and the punch lines pretty much write themselves:
But speaking of Rih, maybe the reason I can’t bother to be bothered is that I already know where my lingerie budget is being spent: Savage x Fenty drops on Friday, and needless to say, bitch better take my money, because I need all the bad-gyal-endorsed underpinnings. And since Kim’s pockets have never been lined with my dollars, I suppose the easiest thing to do is just keep it that way.
Personally, it sounds like a better use of my time than keeping up with the outrage over the Kardashians, but since we know that some of you really do care (and it’s our job to report these types of things), here’s an array of responses from the internet: