Kanye West’s social media posts have caused brands and other celebrities to cut all ties with him
Kanye West is not one to keep his opinions to himself, like, ever. Time and time again we’ve seen him loud and proud on platforms saying politically motivated statements such as, “White Lives Matter” and more recently, “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” Because of these new anti-semitic and discriminatory postings, platforms like Twitter, Instagram and even YikYak have banned the fashion mogul from participating any further with more problematic behavior. But maybe there is a question we can all ask ourselves right now: is Kanye prejudiced or does he just struggle with mental illness?
As a result of Ye’s horrific commentary on Judaism, several companies that he held collaborations with, such as his athletic brand “Yeezy” with Adidas, dropped his line effective immediately. Adidas wrote on Twitter, saying, “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.” This news came out a little late since Twitter users were raging about other companies removing Kanye from random socials, but Adidas took their sweet time to let him go.
Here are some takes from other well-known celebrities about the rapper’s previous statements:
@jaden (Jaden Smith) on Twitter: “If I Don’t Feel The Message I’m Out.” and “Black Lives Matter.”
@kimkardashian (Kim Kardashian) on Twitter: “Hate speech is never OK or excusable. I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.”
Retailer GAP, who has collabed with the Yeezy brand, came out with a statement on @yeezyxgap on instagram: “Antisemitism, racism and hate in any form are inexcusable and not tolerated… We are partnering with organisations that combat hate and discrimination,” and they are ultimately dropping Kanye from their team.
Former friend of Ye, Sean Combs (P. Diddy) posted @diddy on Instagram, ““All America has planned for us is poverty, incarceration and death… So before I can get to any other lives matter … Black lives matter, don’t play with it.”
@jamieleecurtis (Jamie Lee Curtis) on Twitter: “The holiest day in Judaism was last week. Words matter. A threat to Jewish people ended once in a genocide. Your words hurt and incite violence. You are a father. Please stop.”
This is not much compared to how active Kanye has been on social media before, but unfortunately to fans it is disheartening to hear. Though we have seen this activity before from other political figures and celebrities, let’s all give a round-of-applause to platforms like Twitter for shutting down hate speech very quickly. All jokes aside, let’s remember that this behavior is not normal, and the way Kanye is acting is very inappropriate. This is a dangerous rhetoric to be spreading as someone who holds such a high platform like Kanye, and statements and outrageous behavior like this could snowball into a larger issue for those who hold the same false narratives as him.
