The Kardashians have once again crossed the line with their latest attempt in profiting off of black culture. Kylie and Kendall Jenner set off a social media frenzy when they released the “Rap vs. Rock” collection of T-shirts via their clothing line, Kendall + Kylie. The shirts had grayscale images of various rockers and rappers, like Ozzy Osbourne, Notorious and Tupac. Those images were superimposed with ones of Kylie or Kendall — or the letters “kk” — in neon yellow and pink.
Notorious B.I.G. mother Voletta Wallace blasted the sisters for using the late rapper’s image without his estates permission. “I am not sure who told @kyliejenner and @kendalljenner that they had the right to do this,” Wallace wrote. “The disrespect of these girls to not even reach out to me or anyone connected to the estate baffles me.” Added Wallace, “I have no idea why they feel they can exploit the deaths of 2pac and my Son Christopher to sell a t-shirt. This is disrespectful , disgusting, and exploitation at its worst!!!” Sharon Osbourne, wife of Ozzy Osbourne, tweeted, “Girls, you haven’t earned the right to put your face with musical icons. Stick to what you know…lip gloss.” This is yet another attempt the Jenner sisters to appropriate black culture for their own benefit. Who can forget Kendall’s Pepsi commercial where she ended tension with police and rioters ( actors) by handing them a Pepsi. The commercial received so much negative press that Pepsi pulled the commercial. Or what about the time Kylie rocked cornrows and posted a picture with the caption “I woke up like this” or worse her fake plump lips that she is using to sale her cosmetic line.
When will these ladies learn that it is not cool to take from black culture for their own benefit and not do one single thing to help black people (besides taking in a black men as lovers) or our culture. This is called culture appropriation and not cool and to be honest I think it is safe to say we are all tired of it.
