By Karla Cloete
Edited by Imaan Moosa
In a recent interview with Variety Kim Kardashian was asked to advise women in business. Her response lightened a Twitter storm, and not for the first time when she said that women
The former reality star said that “it seems like nobody wants to work these days.”
This is the first time the Kardashian family has come under fire for their absolute lack of understanding of how their wealth and privilege have set them up in life. Previously Kim defended her and her sister’s title of “self-made” after Kylie was put on the 2018 Forbes list.
Image via Business insider
And it seems like she genuinely doesn’t understand the problem with claiming to be self-made:
"I really didn't get it, because she is 'self-made' — we are all 'self-made,'" Kim said. "What, because we came from a family that has had success? To me, that doesn't really make sense... I know so many people like that [who] haven't turned out to be as successful as Kylie."
That’s exactly what it means: ‘self-made’ doesn’t mean you work hard or you are good at business. Self-made is reserved for those who didn’t grow up with the wealth, opportunity and family reputation that helped to build their empires. No one is saying that they didn’t work hard, but to ignore the giant leg up they had in life reeks of privilege and entitlement.
"It seems like nobody wants to work these days," Kim said in the Variety interview. "You have to surround yourself with people that wanna work. Have a good work environment where everyone loves what they do because you have one life. No toxic work environments and show up and do the work."
Of course, the distinction of whether people are being exploited by a self-made billionaire or not seems pretty hollow. However the family’s wilful refusal to acknowledge their privilege has become a little stale over the years, and in the current economic climate, it’s become downright infuriating.
"I think if you grew up in Beverly Hills with super successful parents in what was simply a smaller mansion... nobody needs to hear your thoughts on success/work ethic," Jameela tweeted.
Image via the Guardian.
Actress/activist Jameela Jamil put it beautifully: "They are a super impressive family of businesswomen and are products of a ridiculously good start and a genius manager in their mother as well as their own hard work and personal sacrifices." She said. "They shouldn't be asked about their secret to success. They shouldn't answer those questions. It's all obvious to everyone, and I hope nobody holds themselves to the standards of people who were raised by millionaires."
Former Kardashian employees were quick to chime in to confirm how little the Kardashian understood about what constitutes a toxic work environment and just how out of touch they are with people:
In fact, according to AJ+ Kim was sued by 7 former employees last year for wage theft and poor treatment.
Workers aren’t happy and are no longer willing to accept mistreatment. In September of 2021 21 million Americans left their jobs, with that number skyrocketing to 4.5 million in November in what has been called the ‘Great Resignation’
Workers have cited low and stagnated wages, few advancement opportunities, negative work environments and low job satisfaction as reasons for switching jobs according to Forbes.
Meanwhile during the pandemic companies’ profits soared, up to 45 percent still turned major profits, while thousands were laid off and small businesses suffered tremendously.
In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, historically high inflation and unprecedented levels of burnout while corporations continue to thrive the people have been very clear:
Maybe it seems like no one wants to work anymore because no one wants to pay us anymore. Maybe it seems like no one wants to work anymore because they are prioritising their well-being over the toxic hustle and corporate culture.
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