He's mentally ill. That's not to excuse his anti-Semitism, but to suggest his comments are not the same as comments coming from influential individuals, such as leaders of countries, who have agendas to vilify Jews. In addition, unfortunately, the mass media sees no reason to treat famous mentally ill individuals differently, as they did in the past. This goes hand-in-hand with the belief that the worst thing you can do is judge someone else, a popular belief with younger generations. But we must all judge. To stay safe and sane, to keep our society safe and sane, we must all judge.
May I say this is what happens when we as a society put entertainers and sports figures as “Gods”. They end up with outsized influence. Who really gives a crap what West thinks? I sure don’t.
Hi, Lauren, I think there's a difference and for me it resides in thinking about specific individuals who have been guilty or might be legitimately criticized for this or that VS thinking about people with no identity except as members of a group. Talking about "all Jews" or "all black men" is a huge red flag. The most pernicious and dangerous manifestation of this kind of thinking--in my opinion--something I started a long time ago calling "cocktail party Anti-Semitism." It's perfectly acceptable; who could object to being complimented? Jews are good at making money. If you want someone on that committee who is good at making deals hire a Jew. Black men are always the best in sports. Black men are real studs. Black women are strong. I could go on. The Kanje West kind of anti-Semitism is easy to spot and easy to condemn. He's just a rock star with very little brain. There are bigger sharks in the pool.
Kanye should have been reeled in and denied his world wide platform of being an influencer a few years back when he began his mental illness fueled and warped spirit rounds making what were devastatingly hurtful comments that fed into historically bigoted stereotypes that support and sustain the continued oppression, disrespect, and denial of trauma Black Americans, especially those of us descendants of the enslaved, must wade through.
I sincerely hope Kayne’s downfall is a learning lesson for those in positions of power to chill hatefulness before it gets a world wide platform and riches.
When a Kayne is allowed to disparage unquestioned we better believe that will only grow.
I'd Like to See Ol Kanye West Wriggle His Way Out of THIS Jam!
*Ye wriggles his way out of the jam easily*
Ah! Well. Nevertheless,
He won’t and he can’t. “We” kept sounding the alarm, but while Ye stayed in the space of hurting Black folk no one gave a damn. We told y’all.
So well put. Thank you.
PL, agreed. Two very different critters.
He's mentally ill. That's not to excuse his anti-Semitism, but to suggest his comments are not the same as comments coming from influential individuals, such as leaders of countries, who have agendas to vilify Jews. In addition, unfortunately, the mass media sees no reason to treat famous mentally ill individuals differently, as they did in the past. This goes hand-in-hand with the belief that the worst thing you can do is judge someone else, a popular belief with younger generations. But we must all judge. To stay safe and sane, to keep our society safe and sane, we must all judge.
May I say this is what happens when we as a society put entertainers and sports figures as “Gods”. They end up with outsized influence. Who really gives a crap what West thinks? I sure don’t.
Why is criticism of anything, (justified criticism or not), regarded as hateful and anti?
I see criticism and hate as different. And criticism has to have some legitimacy. I’m all for it. Hate consists of dangerous lies.
Hi, Lauren, I think there's a difference and for me it resides in thinking about specific individuals who have been guilty or might be legitimately criticized for this or that VS thinking about people with no identity except as members of a group. Talking about "all Jews" or "all black men" is a huge red flag. The most pernicious and dangerous manifestation of this kind of thinking--in my opinion--something I started a long time ago calling "cocktail party Anti-Semitism." It's perfectly acceptable; who could object to being complimented? Jews are good at making money. If you want someone on that committee who is good at making deals hire a Jew. Black men are always the best in sports. Black men are real studs. Black women are strong. I could go on. The Kanje West kind of anti-Semitism is easy to spot and easy to condemn. He's just a rock star with very little brain. There are bigger sharks in the pool.
This is not criticism. And criticism is not the same as hate at all.
Kanye should have been reeled in and denied his world wide platform of being an influencer a few years back when he began his mental illness fueled and warped spirit rounds making what were devastatingly hurtful comments that fed into historically bigoted stereotypes that support and sustain the continued oppression, disrespect, and denial of trauma Black Americans, especially those of us descendants of the enslaved, must wade through.
I sincerely hope Kayne’s downfall is a learning lesson for those in positions of power to chill hatefulness before it gets a world wide platform and riches.
When a Kayne is allowed to disparage unquestioned we better believe that will only grow.