Activist says Kylie Jenner’s business success has profited off black culture

Not everyone is happy about Kylie Jenner’s new billionaire status with one activist suggesting she became successful by exploiting black culture.

ICYMI earlier this week Kylie Jenner was announced by Forbes as being on her way to becoming the “youngest self-made” billionaire ever.

The prestigious business magazine celebrated her success by choosing Jenner as the face of their ‘American Women Billionaires’ cover for their August issue, featuring the reality TV star looking all professional in a suit jacket and slicked back hair.

According to Forbes, the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan has built a $900 million (that’s roughly £678.5 million) fortune in just three years alone.

But while, many people have taken issue with the description of Jenner as being ‘self-made,’ pointing out she is a member of a wealthy family and has been on reality TV since the age of 10, an activist has another point to make.

“You can get on the cover of Forbes + be a young billionaire by selling the very features, style, and swag Black Women have always possessed but got called ghetto for it,” activist Brittany Packnett wrote on Twitter.

“The problem isn’t Kylie. The problem is America. If she didn’t exploit it, someone else would have,” Brittany continued suggesting that part of her success could be attributed to appropriating black culture.

“And notice-now that she’s made her fortune? Those lip fillers came out. The fake tan disappeared. Just like Miley Cyrus before her, she’ll exploit black culture and black people for as long as its profitable-and then return to the comfort of whiteness. Why? Because it pays,” Brittany continued in a series of tweets.

Kylie wasn’t the only one in the Kardashian-Jenner clan who Brittany took aim at. Interestingly, she placed Kylie’s mum, Kris Jenner as the brains behind it all.

“Kris Jenner is an evil genius cause she understands that in America, proximity to black culture will make you richer than being black ever will. They used America for exactly what it is. Racist and capitalist. None of us should be surprised,” Brittany added.

It seems the Internet were somewhat divided about Brittany’s cultural appropriation accusation.

Some agreed were totally in agreement with the activist.

“She’s not celebrating it; she’s not black. She’s taking aspects that originate from another culture, putting them forth as her own ideas, and profiting off of it all. Same diff if she came up with her own line of sarongs or tribal headpieces,” one user wrote.

“She used her family name and appropriated black culture to “build an empire” (of which she gives very little away to charity). Idk what the hype is around her your tweet is so true,” another user agreed.

But others took an alternative view.

“It’s called free enterprise? Capitalism? Business?” one user tweeted. “She created a product and people bought it…doesn’t matter what race purchases it, you are putting a racial spin on business, and her right to sell whatever to whom ever she desires as an American?”

“WTAF???? What features? What swag? What style? This is not a race issue. Be upset that she’s privileged. But upset bc she exploited black culture?? Gimme a break,” another wrote.

It isn’t the first time Kylie Jenner has been accused of cultural appropriation.

Last year Kylie and her sister Kendall were embroiled in controversy over a bag from their clothing line, which looked like a Chinese takeout box.

Also last year, the reality stars were slammed for a now-deleted Instagram post that appeared to rip off Chola culture.

The sisters were also accused of stealing the likenesses of musicians and rappers when they released shirts with images of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac, amongst others, and sold the “vintage shirts” at £95 each.

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