Kim Kardashian set the record straight on her commitment to women’s empowerment. She calls out hypocrisy and feminists won't be pleased.

In an interview for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Kardashian explained that she doesn’t need to wear the label “feminist” on her collar to prove she helps women:

“I said once before that I’m not really a feminist,” Kim tells Bazaar. “But I feel I do a lot more than people that claim that they’re feminist,” she says, setting the record straight. “To clarify what I said before: I feel in my soul I’m a feminist. I just don’t need labels to make me feel or know what I am inside.”

According to the article, Kardashian is putting time and effort into growing female entrepreneurs by plotting with a beauty entrepreneur to host events that will provide girls with advice on starting businesses.

Sadly, Kardashian had to clarify her comments from a previous blog post (subscription) about feminism where she was skewered for not embracing the term:

"I feel that being grouped or labeled can create separation between people who do (or don't) fall into certain categories, when they may actually share many of the same beliefs and goals," she said at the time. "The fight for equality is about ALL human beings being treated equally—regardless of gender, sexuality or ethnicity. I'll always fight for women's rights. Always."

This comes at an interesting moment. Sharon Osbourne, wife of former rocker Ozzy Osbourne, had choice words for Kardashian’s brand of women’s empowerment:

“Kim says she’s doing everything in the name of feminism, but that’s not feminism," Sharon told Telegraph in a new interview published over the weekend. "Those girls live off their bodies, half of LA has been through them and everything they do from the sex tape to the plastic see-through dresses and the gym wear is about sex, not female progress."

"And listen: God bless them. If Kim wants to show off her body, fine. But that’s not feminism, that’s being a ho," she added. "And there’s nothing wrong with being a ho, but always remember what you are."

Ouch!

Like it or not, many young women today would identify with Kardashian and admire the multi-million dollar fashion and beauty empire she’s built.

Perhaps this is an example of the generational differences that we saw play out in the 2016 election cycle when young women didn’t support or cast their vote for Hillary Clinton because of her gender.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright infamously said “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other” at a Clinton rally to scare up some youth votes. Those aren’t inspiring words to any young woman. In fact, that kind of attitude may be what’s pushing young women to eschew the feminist label like Kardashian.

Ensuring women have freedom and opportunity to pursue more for themselves should be the aim of women's empowerment. You don't have to wear the 'feminist' label to do that and those who call themselves feminist aren't necessarily improving economic mobility and freedom for other women.