We’re big fans of everyone’s beloved baby girl, Aaliyah. She’s been gone for over 16 years, and in her short time, we’ve honored her music and the musical impact that she’s made on our lives. So, now that Halloween is no longer about goons and goblins, it’s all about costumes, pretty dress up, and the most outlandish costumes…you can now be ANYONE on Halloween.
So why did Kim Kardashian decide to dress up like Aaliyah? Not sure…and it’s baffling to many.
Black Twitter Is Protecting Aaliyah At All Costs
Just a recap on “Black Twitter”…if you didn’t know, “Black Twitter” is a cultural identity on Twitter, focused on issues of interest to the black community, as defined by Wikipedia. In short…Black Twitter will shut you down in a hot minute! So that’s what happened to Kim Kardashian last night.
With such a huge legacy and die-hard fans who still defend Aaliyah’s honor daily, the wrong person paying tribute on Halloween can ignite flames throughout social media timelines–and it’s really no surprise that people who love Aaliyah and people who hate Kim Kardashian are one in the same, for the most part.
My Halloween theme this year is ICONS! Musical legends!!! Paying homage to some of my faves!
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) October 29, 2017
Many- not just Black Twitter- believe that as long as someone doesn’t use black face it isn’t blatantly offensive for a Halloween costume. Therefore, it leaves room for non-African Americans to pay tribute to their favorite black figures for the holiday. So whether or not Kardashian’s costume was actually offensive, or people just love Aaliyah and don’t want the two compared, is a pretty blurred line.
Baby Girl Aaliyah pic.twitter.com/5GUHkNJgNi
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) October 29, 2017
In years past, Kim, along with the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan, has come under fire for displaying a lack of sound judgment when it comes to race. The family has a laundry list of controversial and cultural appropriation offenses. So, it’s unsurprising that Kim’s costume would cause a stir.
Seeing a smoky-eyed, diamanté-encrusted Kardashian with waist-grazing hair paying homage to our beloved Aaliyah was problematic for her.
“Legend or not Aaliyah is a black woman and you’re not. It’s offensive and you shouldn’t push this limit, but ok,” said user @lagrlcrookdsmle.
Legend or not Aaliyah is a black woman and you’re not. It’s offensive and you shouldn’t push this limit, but ok… 🙄
— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕗𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𐦐 🇧🇿 (@LAGrlCrookdSmle) October 29, 2017
“It’s offensive because babygirl is DEAD & you can’t pay hommage [sic] when you’re an Armenian just using her look as a costume. That’s the issue,” said user @shaurenza .
https://twitter.com/Shaurenza/status/924519923963121664
Who told Kim Kardashian to try to be Aaliyah for Halloween?
— sav ✨ (@svnnmnr) October 29, 2017
Then Black Twitter Responded!
I KNOW black twitter is getting ready to grind Kim K to moon dust for this Aaliyah costume. I'm here for the jokes. pic.twitter.com/qllnHuGwFH
— Jasmine Johnson✊ (@_SaiJaeDaddy) October 29, 2017
And so here come the jokes!
https://twitter.com/T_Guider/status/924448609483010048
Kim Kardashian looking like she dressed up as Cher dressing up as Aaliyah for Halloween. pic.twitter.com/15rpLP14IG
— Jermaine Watkins (@JermaineWatkins) October 29, 2017
Kim Kardashian you do not have the right to dress up as Aaliyah so dust yourself off & try again pic.twitter.com/oivzyezyqg
— You Know the vibes 💯 (@RonnieThaGreat) October 29, 2017
But there was someone who thought Kim K was OK!
https://twitter.com/RodTheBoat/status/924453120817684481
Kim K annoys me but I must admit that hoe nailed her Cher and Aaliyah looks pic.twitter.com/1GaNjObv5N
— Mike Lowrey (@_fahranheit_) October 29, 2017
