Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Kardashians

Unlike the sisters in my previous post, I never NEVER ever EVER thought I would be writing about the Kardashians, willingly. Sure, I figured, after three years of living in LA and still without a real job, I might have to cover them for some skeezy tabloid, where I make just enough to cover rent and my cocaine addiction. I won't actually be doing cocaine, just addicted to buying it.

Anyway, I had to write about them because I had to thank the Kardashian sisters. They have greatly helped in my identifying of a strong, female role model - in a positive way.

A couple of months ago, I stopped into the Barnes & Noble at the Grove on the way home from my internship. It's actually out of the way, but I'm in love with that place. I could spend a hundred dollars a day at Barnes & Noble, if, of course, I wasn't buying so much cocaine. But really, I love going in there, not looking for anything in particular, just looking, reading, spending time with books. Lots and lots of books.

This particular evening, the place was packed. I had never seen it this busy, and I had no idea what was going on. I went up to the third floor, where they keep all the good books. Ok, fine, all the Legos are up here too. It's also where they have book signings. That is where I got my answer.

The Kardashians wrote a book? Yes. And they were signing it that night. And hundreds of girls and gays had their copies ready and their nails did. An enormous percentage of the crowd was also composed of these conservative grandmother types in head scarves, stockings, and diabetes shoes. Those are things. I could have sworn this crowd was waiting for the Pope.

Look, I have never watched a full episode of Whatever the Kardashians' Show is Kalled. I do not understand people's infatuation with them. I do not find them interesting or, even, entertaining. But, of course, I had to wait for them to walk by, obviously. I had to see them. So, I found a spot near the elevator between the Nook display counter and an 80-year-old with one of those portable seat walkers. This spot just so happened to be Hunger Games table adjacent.

I had been meaning to read the books for about a year, but I'd never gotten around to buying them. The trailer for the movie had just come out, and I was hyped without knowing anything about the story. So, I picked up the first novel. By the time Khloe and Kourtney passed by, I was reaching the end of the first chapter...

Primrose Everdeen. Two words have never had me so hooked. I bought the book, and that was that.

Katniss (that's the name of a future Kardashian, mark my words) Everdeen. The Girl on Fire. The Mockingjay. THIS is the strong, female role model I was talking about.

I don't want to ruin the books, in case any of the three people that read this blog have not read them, but basically Katniss is a badass. She is smart. She is strong. And, yea, she hunts with a freaking bow and arrow. That is awesome.

However, she's not perfect. At times, she is selfish for the sake of self-preservation. She makes mistakes. She gets angry. She is human. She is real. That is awesome.

She is unmistakably brave. She literally sacrifices herself for the sake of her sister. For the sake of many. She loves. She nurtures. She takes care of others, but, most important, she can take care of herself. Yea, there's two guys floating around in this trilogy, but, in the words of my girl KC she's "Miss Never-let-a-man-help-her-off-her-throne." She is the hero. That is awesome.

Three books dedicated to a strong woman. That is awesome. Why don't we promote the real-life Katnisses like that? The Hillary Clintons and Michelle Obamas and Joan of Arcs and Amelia Earharts and Rosa Parksssses and Alice Pauls and Leslie Knopes (she's real to me). The daughters, the sisters, the mothers. Put them on the same pedestal we've granted the Kardashians.

So, again, and it's the last time I'll say it, "thank you, Khloe and Kim and Kourtney."

come away little lamb, come away to the water
give yourself so we might live anew
come away little lamb, come away to the slaughter
to the ones appointed to see this through

Also, if anyone wants to go see the movie with me, I'm willing to rearrange my SUPER busy schedule to pencil you in. Just today I had to switch around my 5 o'clock sock-sorting to fit in a 4:30 IMAX screening. It was my second time to see the film in under 15 hours. Send help.

1 comment:

  1. Why does one seek a female role model or a male role model? That implies the genders have different roles. I thought I was your female role model.

    Love,
    Dad

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