Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star Kim Kardashian has been going through a controversy-filled patch. The reality TV star found herself in some hot water yet again after wearing the Om symbol, a pious symbol in Hinduism, as an earring.
A prominent fashion icon globally, Kim’s outfits and looks are always a talking point. However, netizens expressed their dismay at her latest photoshoot in the comments section, accusing her of 'cultural appropriation.' This goes hand in hand with the lawsuit she faces by her ex-employees accusing her of violating California Labour Laws.
Om is a sacred sound of a spiritual symbol, and is chanted in many hymns, prayers, and otherwise as a pious syllable majorly in the Hindu culture. In the pictures she uploaded on her Twitter, Kim could be seen wearing a sheer and corseted red dress, a floral pink and red jacket with light blue faux fur lining, and the Om symbol in hoop earrings.
Twitter was not happy. Many users tried to explain how this was cultural appropriation while others expressed anger.
Is now a good time to mention that the Om is a sacred symbol to Hindus and not just an accessory?
— Ria Sen (@sen_ria) May 23, 2021
shoutout to kim k for collecting cultures to appropriate like infinity stones
— PJhwang inyeop's pr manager (@todorokibucky) May 23, 2021
The Aum sign is a scared symbol to Hindus , and you get her using it as an accessory? This ain’t it. https://t.co/OjABBt6pua
— yashay. (@SinghYashay) May 25, 2021
How hard is it not appropriate something? This is really insensitive. The Om symbol is very sacred to Hinduism. And you using it as a mere accessory is fcking annoying. Delete this and please educate yourself ffs.
— n (@chimcuddles) May 23, 2021
using the respected parts of our culture like om or ganesha is not an aesthetic. stop disrespecting cultures to look cool
— diva|yeji & ina day (@kooopid) May 24, 2021
Okay here's the thing. She is not wearing the Om symbol to mention the significance or spirituality behind it. It's just an accesory for her. If you want to appreciate a religion or culture, do that. But wearing a symbol cause omg its so cool, that's just disrespectful.
— krishti (@krishti_1999) May 23, 2021
This, however, is not the first time that Kim has been accused of cultural appropriation. She has been accused of Indian cultural appropriation multiple times, the most recent being in April 2020, when she had received flak for wearing a maang tikka and other traditional Indian jewellery with a crop and a bodycon skirt. Another person to be accused of Hindu cultural appropriation last year was singer Rihanna for wearing Lord Ganesh, a Hindu god, as a pendant on a necklace.
(Source - Google, Twitter)