Kylie Jenner Insults Disabled People Everywhere

Kylie Jenner’s recent photoshoot with Interview is controversial to say the least. The pictures rival Kimye’s baby name ‘Saint’ as the latest Kardashian-Jenner activity to ‘break the internet’.

Her racy photos have been described as revolutionary but my issue comes with two pictures in particular. Although she may not have thought of the idea behind this pose, Kylie did agree to model for it.

Wearing black latex and killer heels, Kylie Jenner insults the majority of the disabled population by starring in these photographs.

Aside from the fact that a large proportion of individuals with physical disabilities can only dream of walking in those shoes, an even larger proportion are unable to independently lift their legs.

I cannot believe that the moment Kylie Jenner found out a gold wheelchair was to be her next modelling prop she thought ‘this is a great idea, people will love it’.

My main issue is wheelchair users and disabled people not being able to represent themselves. This is an ongoing issue with films using able bodied actors to play disabled roles, for instance Jake Sully in Avatar played by able bodied Sam Worthington, and Kylie’s photos demonstrate the same issue.

Many centuries ago, men performed as women in theatrical plays as it was not socially acceptable for a woman to represent herself on stage and we are currently facing the same medieval dilemma.

It is an outrage that in the twenty first century – when we are rightly shocked if women have fewer rights than men – we think its normal for disabled people to be portrayed by able bodied individuals.

My faith in humanity was slightly restored when Erin Tatum, cerebral palsy sufferer, recreated Kylie’s photo to show just how ridiculous it is.

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Another unacceptable aspect of the photographs is a wheelchair being used as a fashion prop. I am not alone in saying that wheelchairs are an item of necessity for many people and something relied on for independence, not a trendy accessory.

During the interview Chris Wallace discusses the search for identity and how, at only 18, Kylie’s identity has been majorly defined by her presence on television for half of her life.

It is disappointing that in spite of her own identity issues, Kylie fails to recognise this problem in others. A lot of young disabled people face an identity crisis on a daily basis and are not earning millions at the same time.

The article mentions Kylie’s achievement of being named on Time magazine’s list of most influential teens with her sister, Kendall, in October.

This is unsurprising. I see the Jenner sisters’ faces everywhere and enjoy seeing their latest outfits and selfies, but there is more to influence than Instagram.

It is a shame that Kylie’s global influence is, in my opinion, not put to better use. In her interview Jenner said “I want to be a good role model” but I don’t think these photos are a good place to start.

Read the interview here.