Kim Kardashian West Promotes Ride Share Program For Ex-Inmates

One minute she’s promoting a nude lipstick, the next she’s speaking out about social justice reform. Kim Kardashian West is a master at multitasking, even more so, she — like her mom Kris Jenner — understands how to get what she wants. Yesterday, Kim spoke at the White House, next to President Donald Trump, and discussed her new initiative to help former inmates.

The reality show star was on hand to speak on the Second Chance Hiring and Re-Entry program that partners with Lyft, the rideshare company. Kim tweeted that the initiative with Lyft would provide rideshare credits to formally incarcerated people when they come home, and when they are coming to and from job interviews. These credits would give former inmates the peace of mind to know they wouldn’t have to worry about catching a bus or figuring out how to pay for a ride.

“While I have been able to offer support to some of the individuals I have met, the obstacles to success are an everyday struggle for thousands and more needs to be done,” she said during the event. “Today, I’m honored to be a part of the announcement that the administration and the private sector are stepping up to create opportunities for these men and women to succeed once home.”

https://twitter.com/oxminaox/status/1139321618725912576

Late last year, Kim and Trump also merged forces to pass the First Step Act that would help prison reform by reducing sentencing and the expansion of programs that focused on assisting former prisoners not to go back to jail but instead get a job once they’re out. Kim was also instrumental at getting former inmate Alice Marie Johnson out of jail. Johnson was serving a life sentence for a first-time offense after being convicted in 1996.

You might not be a fan of Kim’s — yes, she on a reality show, yes, she’s made a sex tape, and, yes, she appropriates black culture — but you cannot deny that she is doing something extraordinary for social justice reform. She’s made it no secret that her venture into law is to help those less fortunate, and she should be applauded for that. And we can’t help but respect her for finally using her platform in a way that really helps others.

She may be making a deal with the devil, but she has previously said that inmates don’t care who the president is. What they do care about is how they can get out of jail and go back to living somewhat of a normal life. While people on social media were applauding her excellent work, it was her statement about the president that made people cringe with anger.

Kim Kardashian West saying the President has compassion for criminal justice is such a complete load of crap.

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) June 14, 2019

She said Trump is “really standing behind this issue and seeing the compassion he’s really had for criminal justice has been really remarkable.” We all know this isn’t true. Furthermore, we know that Trump loves a good photo op, especially if the person standing next to him is stunning. All Trump cares about is how something makes him look good, but we digress. The point is Kim is using Trump, and Trump is using her — but the real victors are those former prisoners getting a second chance. While it is important to note that there are a number of Black women who were fighting social justice long before Kim decided to prioritize this, like Ava Duvernay, Angela Rye, and Deanna Van Buren — among many others — it is refreshing to see her use her platform in a way that’s truly helping others.