I miss the old Kanye, straight from the ‘Go Kanye
Chop up the soul Kanye, set on his goals Kanye
I hate the new Kanye, the bad mood Kanye
The always rude Kanye, spaz in the news Kanye
No but really… what happened to Kanye West?
Last week, Kanye West appeared on Saturday Night Live and used the platform to express his support for Trump at the end of the episode, rendering everyone onstage visibly uncomfortable, as comedian Pete Davidson recounts:
This is not the first time Kanye has gotten political. Songs like “Jesus Walks”, “Crack Music”, and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” speak to issues like police brutality, the crack epidemic, and black exploitation as they relate to politics (Playlist). He has donated money to the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Thus, it came as a surprise when, in November 2016, he said he would have voted for Trump if he had voted at all. After this remark, I feel his evolution (or deterioration) is best communicated through a few of his own quotes:
“Specifically to black people, stop focusing on racism. This world is racist, O.K.”
“When you hear about slavery for 400 years … For 400 years? That sounds like a choice.”
(About Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill) “It’s like when you see all the slave movies. Why you gotta keep reminding us about slavery?”
These words are ridiculous, almost funny. However, this sort of rhetoric is insidiously dangerous, especially coming from someone who has as much influence as Kanye West does.
While I feel that a non-black person has no right to tell a black person how to feel about slavery or institutionalized racism, I think Kanye’s remarks on the matter are callous. The era of slavery is the darkest time in our nation’s history; it saw the exploitation, abuse, and deaths of millions of black people stolen from their homes. Its effects can still be felt today in the form of institutionalized and systemic racism. To call slavery a choice is to disregard the horrors endured by those millions of innocent and helpless black people. To grow tired of being reminded of the endurance of these people is to deny history altogether.
If Kanye wanted to express a grievance about the way slavery is depicted in the media, he could do so without dismissing the importance and relevance of the matter. I’ve talked to many people who aren’t aware of the ways slavery still affects us today or choose to deny the fact that it still affects us. In this political climate, can we really afford to “stop being reminded”? Can we really afford to “stop focusing on racism”, while innocent black people are murdered without repercussion? While the President of the United States takes the side of “very fine” white supremacists?
I feel that Kanye has squandered his platform. Ignorance and narcissism cloud his vision and leave him blind to the sentiment of a community he claims to deeply care about and represent. In effect, his words are damaging to the plight of black Americans and to the moral advancement of our society as a whole… make Kanye 2006 again, please.
Worst in Politics 
You handled a sensitive discussion in a way that is respectful, but doesn’t compromise your views or your voice. That is really hard to do. You did an outstanding job this week. Well done and keep it up! I look forward to seeing your classmates’ reactions and discussion in the comment section.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Anush! I really enjoyed reading your post because I’m also wondering what is up with Kanye lol. I can’t believe that as a black person himself, he said that slavery is a choice. Like what??? I totally agree with everything you said, including that his views can be harmful because of the large influence he has. I miss the old Kanye.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really miss the old kanye, the new Kanye I feel doesn’t understand what he’s saying or just trying to stir controversy for attention maybe. But he definitely has let narcissism and ignorance cloud his judgement and say awful things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey girl! I really love the way you express your political opinions in such a respectful, logical way. I agree, I miss the old Kanye. We’ve grown up listening to his music and following his life and its really disheartening to hear someone with so much creative talent say the things that he has. I’m not sure if he just spoke out of turn (I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but you can only do that so long) or if he really believes black people chose to be enslaved. Either way though, this man needs to take a U.S. history class or two. If he’s not careful I really think he may ruin all of his success with his idiotism and naive remarks. Really great job!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Kanye subject is a controversial one and I agree with you. Like you said, his words are so ridiculous it’s almost funny. Sometimes I honestly can’t believe the things he says and worry for his mental health. The things he says are ignorant and lack much needed research as it influences so many people who look (or looked) up to him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always look forward to reading your blog every week and really this post was amazing. Obviously, Kanye is entitled to believe whatever he wants to believe but when you make a comment that down right disrespects and affects people of color, I have a major problem. So really, you did a great job touching on this topic. Can’t wait until next weeks post and yes please make Kanye 2006 again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do miss the old Kanye before this whole craziness started. I remember seeing and hearing his pro-Trump rant on SNL the other day and thinking “wow.” I liked how you included the Pete Davidson video in your post, I thought it was a great re-telling on whatever is going on with Kanye. This was a great post, I totally agree with all that you said and you did a great job talking about the whole Kanye thing. Keep up the great work!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was excited to read this post because my roommate and I were talking about old Kanye the night before I read this!! Like everyone else, I miss the old Kanye and the political statements he makes now really disappoints me because he’s changed so much. Not going to lie, I miss the “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” Kanye. Great job discussing a controversial topic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was pretty intrigued when i saw Kanye and i started laughing when i heard make Kanye 2006 again. I’ve listened to Kanye for awhile and i can clearly see when and where he switched.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Seeing him act the way he is now is sad, i feel like hes been brainwashed into thinking that you can make racism go away by simply ignoring it. I also feel like he has lost touch with his culture by saying “slavery is a choice” which it clearly isn’t, unless it would have never happened. In addition, i think his famous status is slowly turning him “white” in a sense that he barley feels targeted when it comes to racist jokes because he has money and power. However, that doesn’t justify his actions and the words he is saying today and we should get 2006 Kanye back!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You raise a very important issue, mental health. Obviously this man shows the signs of a delusional person. I do believe that the real Kanye died years ago, and now he is a robot implanted by far right groups to confuse the masses. His arguments are inconsistent, and callous, as you said. I honestly am so perplexed by the character development of this man, who once we thought was a influencer and vouched for the rights of the marginalized. His issues lie deeper than what comes out, I stand by the mind control, he is being used.
LikeLiked by 2 people
love this comment
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss him too. the end.
LikeLiked by 2 people