Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was recently roasted for promoting SKIMS’ winter sale during raging Los Angeles wildfires. In turn, she quickly diverted attention to focus on low pay of firemen who were confined in the jails and fought the fires.
On Sunday, Kim posted the following message in her Instagram stories: “I have spent the last week watching my city burning.”. And I have seen and spoken to many firefighters who are up all night long using every ounce of their strength to save our community. Of all the 5 fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters risking their lives to save us. They are working on the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Pasadena with 24-hour shifts.
She continued, “They get paid almost nothing, risk their lives, some have died, to prove to the community that they have changed and are now first responders. I see them as heroes. The incarcerated firefighters have been paid $1/hour to risk their lives, and this pay has been the same since 1984. It has never been raised with inflation.”. It’s never been brought up when the fires worsened and people perished. There was a proposed raise for incarcerated firefighters this year to $5/hour but was struck down last minute, however.
Kim Wants Things Different
Kim also tagged California Governor Gavin Newsom in her post, urging him to revise the pay to better honor the firefighters’ sacrifices. Her advocacy has brought renewed attention to the issue of fair compensation for incarcerated individuals risking their lives in emergency situations.
Earlier, Kim shared an Instagram Story from her beauty brand, SKKN, which expressed solidarity with those affected by the wildfires. The brand said it would be donating a major amount to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and clothing, socks, and underwear to the non-profit for children and families in need.
As for work, Kim will be returning in season 6 of ‘The Kardashians’.
