Kim K: ‘Legally Blind’ – Immie Pearson
The name Kim Kardashian West is one that most people know and, whether you like the reality-TV star or not, it is undeniable her influence on today’s younger generation is a massive one. But that influence is usually on fashion and pop culture, which is probably why people where more interested in her recent Met Gala outfit, than her contribution to prison reform in the U.S. What exactly is she doing, and why do I think people should be taking more notice?
In late July of 2018, Kim visited the the White House to meet with President Donald Trump. A week after this meeting, because of Kim’s advocacy, Trump granted clemency to a woman called Alice Marie Johnson. Alice, a 63 year old woman who had been sentenced to life in prison for a first time, non-violent drug offence, was freed because of Kim’s involvement and push for justice. Kim had got involved after hearing about the case on social media. This success seemed to spur Kim on, “I think now, having gotten so deep in helping Alice, I’m really motivated to get to know the law more and fight for people that deserve a second chance, like her.”
On the 5th of September 2018, Kim attended a second meeting at the Whitehouse to discuss prison reform, It was a ‘listening session’ and there was praise for Kim for making important contributions, especially from Jessica Sloan Jackson, co-founder of the criminal justice reform group, Cut 50, who said; “Kim is an incredible advocate… I have never seen somebody immerse themselves in an issue the way she has”.
Kim has in no way lost her steam since then, she announced in her recent Vogue issue, that she was embarking on a four year programme to become a lawyer, which entails 18 hours of study a week, five of which is monitored by mentors. Kardashian West said of this massive commitment; “it’s going to be really hard, but it’s also really important to me to keep this quiet for a while so I can stay committed and focused.” Something that has been kept relatively quiet is that, in recent months Kim has been helping fund the 90 Days of Freedom campaign, ultimately resulting in the release of 17 people who, much like Alice Marie Johnson, had been imprisoned for low level drug charges.
For those who know more about Kim’s family history, this new career pursuit may not have come as a surprise, as she is the daughter of famed defence attorney Robert Kardashian. Despite this, the celebrity has been met with backlash, that someone like her is not needed in the legal system, and she has no reason to do so. With this I have to vehemently disagree, what most of these, in my opinion ignorant people mean by this, is that they don’t like, or don’t think it is possible that a rich and attractive female celebrity has a place in the legal system. I personally think it is an amazing thing, Not only is it showing those who follow her across the globe, that no matter how busy or how much you are pushed into a certain category, nothing should stop you bettering yourself as an individual. In all honestly for a number of reasons, I’ve never really been a fan of Kim Kardashian, but I now not only respect her as an individual, but will definitely be keeping up with her involvement in the US legal system, I find her quite frankly inspiring.
So to those who feel Kim Kardashian West has no place getting herself involved in America’s judiciary system, I say you are wrong, anyone bettering themselves and society should be respected, and not dismissed because they sometimes wear ‘controversial’ outfits, and have had a meme or two made about them. Ultimately, and my main motivation for writing this, is I feel Kim is showing women can be more than one thing, in Kim’s case both beauty and brains; you can become a lawyer and influence prison reform, at the same time as having four children, running a business and filming a reality show all hours of the day. As Kim herself said in a recent CNN television interview, something I strongly agree with, ’you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it’.
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