Kylie Jenner has faced considerable criticism for throwing a Handsmaid’s Tale-themed birthday party for her mate, despite the book and TV show’s grim subject matter and relevance to the fight for reproductive rights in the US.
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Across a suite of Instagram Story posts over the weekend, Jenner shared images and videos of the elaborate decorations and costumes at a birthday bash for influencer Anastasia Karanikolaou.
“You know The Handmaid’s Tale is my favourite show ever,“ Jenner told her followers while entering a red-curtained passageway.
“So, for Stas’ birthday, welcome to Gilead,” she said, referring to the dystopian setting of Margaret Atwood‘s classic novel.
Video also shows Jenner, Anastasia Karanikolaou, and friends Sofia Richie and Tiffany Sorya donning the red robes worn by the titular handmaids.
It’s 2019 and Kylie Jenner is hosting a “Handmaid’s Tale” themed birthday party…SIS… pic.twitter.com/hNUTDDyTp4
— cayley (@cayleyasmith) June 9, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByeEn4CgXZG/
Followers have taken issue with that celebration, given the fact the handmaids are the subject of near-constant sexual abuse and oppression in the series.
https://twitter.com/tinatheweina/status/1137528906259546112
I’m legitimately DISTURBED that Kylie Jenner threw a Handmaids Tale themed party for her friend. Do they realise the show is about female oppression and rape???? Jesus Christ.
— 𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖆 𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖓 (@EllieJayden) June 9, 2019
I don’t understand how people are going about their day when we know that Kylie Jenner had a Handmaids Tale themed birthday party with Under His Eye tequila cocktails.
— Rebecca Reid (@RebeccaCNReid) June 10, 2019
Kylie Jenner is having a Handmaids Tale themed birthday party and Justin Bieber wants to fight Tom Cruise and boy howdy is that meteor late
— 🤌🏾 Imani Gandy 👆🏾 (@AngryBlackLady) June 10, 2019
The party’s theme was the target of particular ire, given the fact Alabama lawmakers last month passed a bill banning abortion in nearly every circumstance.
It’s worth mentioning that Jenner herself has expressed her anger at that development, and her boyfriend Travis Scott pledged to donate the proceeds of some merch sales to pro-choice health organisation Planned Parenthood.
Party guest Sorya has also spoken on the issue, telling her Instagram followers last month “I am PRO-CHOICE.
“The idea of the government literally forcing me to carry a child to full term is disturbing, ESPECIALLY without any promise of healthcare during my pregnancy or help from the government in raising that future child.”
Of course, this all raises more questions about treating television shows – ostensibly created for entertainment – as unimpeachable acts of rebellion against a political system which feels rigged against women and oppressed minorities.
God knows Jenner and her mates aren’t the only ones to literally capitalise on Atwood’s vision of a theocratic America.
