Reforming the Kardashians: Does Jenner’s journey give the family a purpose?
Today, Caitlyn Jenner debuted her new identity on the cover of Vanity Fair. It’s a tremendous moment for transgender visibility, and striking in many ways.
One of the most surprising parts of the story? It’s made the Kardashians kind of likable.
For years, we’ve watched the beautiful family obsess over petty problems and whine about nothing. They’ve come across as talentless, entitled and annoying. I wondered why their show is so popular, and what they represent about our culture that causes such fascination. I just couldn’t find anything compelling about them.
And then Bruce Jenner announced he has the soul of a woman.
The interview with Diane Sawyer was captivating, touching and complex. Here was someone who defined traditional masculinity for decades, telling the world he felt like a female.
And the Kardashians were supportive of the journey.
Kim, who I had long associated with a sex tape, now seemed to have credibility. As she talked about Jenner’s transition openly and honestly, she came across as caring and thoughtful. She seemed to really want to help him and other people struggling with gender identity issues. Had Bruce Jenner legitimized the Kardashians?
Almost overnight, my feelings toward the family shifted. I found myself watching two episodes of the show, both focused on Bruce’s transition. For the first time, the family seemed, while not exactly real, certainly less fake. Their willingness to share a sensitive experience with the world almost seemed brave.
Was I just drinking the Kardashian Kool-Aid? I checked to see if news media outlets had been swayed. While the dominant headlines focused on who the single Kardashians were dating, what Kim was wearing and whether Rob was in rehab, I did notice a peppering of appreciation for the family’s evolution. In the Daily Beast, Amy Zimmer wrote, “Suddenly, appreciating the Kardashians isn’t basic; it’s downright enlightened.’’
On Twitter, I read posts that suggest people no longer see the family solely as ambassadors of waist trainers, spray tans and diet pills. “So awesome that the Kardashian influence is being used to help change society in a positive way,’’ @Melissage7 posted. Lena Dunham shared a photo of herself with Kim Kardashian’s new selfie book, Selfish, saying, “I support experiments in female identity exploration…’’
She said that about a selfie book. From a Kardashian. How could this be?
Maybe the process of dealing with something tough has helped them evolve into people with more texture and substance — a classic case of complicated circumstances building real character.
And now, the family known for capitalizing on opportunities has one of a different sort. Kim has 32 million Twitter followers. Will she use her massive reach to do some good? Will the family seize the chance to try to help people struggling with real problems, not ones related to hair extensions? If so, the impact could be significant.
Of course, they don’t have to do good if they don’t want to – it’s not their job, after all.
But I hope they will, because then I may finally understand what they do for a living.
Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair Photoshoot
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