Many people in today’s day and age have preconceived ideas and notions in their mind about the Kardashian Klan. Due to recent events, they’re in the news for a much different reason other than scandalous outfits or family fights that blow up.
This past Monday, Kim Kardashian was alone in her hotel room and was bound, gagged, and put in a bathtub while being held at gunpoint before being robbed of millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry as well as cellphones.
While Kim and her family have been receiving well-wishes and support from some (celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, James Corden, Chrissy Teigen, and more) there are still people out there taking the situation at hand far too lightly. There are countless amounts harassment and sexual assault jokes pertaining to this event. Besides the fact that these “jokes” are just blatantly tasteless and unnecessary, Kim actually did fear that she would be sexually assaulted.
Here are just a few comments made in regards to the situation:
“The gunman’s target was not her body, but her jewelry.” – Entertainment Tonight (Couldn’t they have stated the same information without making any comments about her body?)
“Kim was bound and gagged, then the robbers broke in.” – Conan O’Brien
“Right now Ryan Lochte is on the set of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ praying Kim made this whole thing up.” – Jimmy Kimmel
Even famed and highly admired Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, had something to say – “You cannot display your wealth then be surprised that some people want to share it.” (Is it really her fault that she got robbed though?)
(Note that these are strictly from entertainers/celebrities – there are even more all over social media apps like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.)
To me, although she may not be your favorite person in the world, some of the responses are just unacceptable. No one deserves the level of fear and trauma she is experiencing. To know that there are people out there making fun of what happened is just… not cool. I’m sure the last thing on Kim’s mind is the fact that her jewelry was stolen, no matter how much it cost. To be held at gunpoint and fear for your life is something some people never get over. Millions of eyes watching you constantly has to make the process even harder.
Her children could have lost their mother. Her husband could have lost his wife. Her siblings could have lost their sister. Her mother could have lost her daughter. What happened is nothing to joke about, and no matter how much dislike you may have for a person – no one deserves to be terrorized.
Although Kim was physically unharmed, she is understandably not doing well emotionally. Being surrounded by her family is making her feel a bit better.
There are some reports questioning the entire robbery, but for now, the public eye only knows what Kim and her reps have said.
Some food for thought: if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything at all.
More importantly, if you or anyone you know has experienced any kind of assault, encourage them to report it. Their voice and story should not go unheard.
Some resources on campus to deal with situations like these:
Police Services (Luerssen 114)
Campus Life (PSC 19)
Counseling Services (keep in mind it is in the same room as Career Services – so no one will ever know which service you’re going in for – PSC 10)
Health Services (PSC 8)