[Vlog] Kanye West's 'slavery comment' hysteria says more about us than him
When I heard that Kanye had said "400 years of slavery, sounds like a choice." I felt compelled to watch the video and assess whether Kanye had truly fallen off the ledge of sanity.
Here are my initial thoughts:
Watching the TMZ interview, the first thing that struck is that Kanye was struggling to articulate what he was thinking.
When he made the slavery comment it was clear (to me at least) that he misspoke. As when asked to clarify he stated 'right now we're choosing to be enslaved.' People whose ancestors were slaves have a choice of how they use that as a frame of reference. I think this was the point he was trying to make albeit badly.
I also want to comment on his friendship/ admiration or whatever he has for Trump.
If he classes Trump as "his boy", a 'dragon energy' kindred spirit or whatever that's on him.
We all have a friend that believes some shit we might find outlandish. I'm sure Kanye himself has friends that oppose his views on Trump but still stand by him. I think Kanye is taking a similar stance, however ill-advised it may or may not be. This idea that he should be shunned because he admires the guy that America elected as their president seems over-the-top. Sure debate whether you think he is misguided but some of the hysteria has been jarring.
We live in a time where it is fashionable to polarise and sensationalise everything in exchange for likes shares and retweets.
Whether you agree with Kanye's views or not, do they really warrant the overraction and vilification that ensued? The problem with today's social media culture is that people want to digest their information in 140 character soundbites and respond with two word expletives. The art of conversation and debate and agreeing to disagree is lost in favour of shutting people down, name-calling and internet memes.
The lesson I take away from Kanye's comments is we need to learn to listen and challenge (rationally) what we hear and what we believe. Being able to truly listen to views you disagree with is one of the most powerful tools you can have on your arsenal, no matter what your colour or political inclinations.
Yeah, and some of my best friends are Nazis... NOT.
Too much moral relativism is how such forces rise to power. The only thing we need to be intolerant of is intolerance itself, so when someone espousing intolerance as the current US president does (who was NOT fairly elected as current investigations will eventually show) that person needs to be denounced. As a people we need to speak up and say that this is NOT what America stands for, or at least not what we personally stand for. To do otherwise is to be complicit with the harms that result from racism, religious oppression, etc. that this administration stands for.
No one is forcing West to espouse his political views publicly. Just because he's a popular musician that doesn't mean he owes the public an expose on his political views. But when he voluntarily offers that he supports a neo-Nazi president, then tops up with a comment about slaves "asking for it," I say it is right for the people to speak up and treat him as if he is a nazi himself. That's truly being color blind.
you really got to break down the quote to understand what he said is not what most think he said.
Whether you agree with him or not, Kanye has every right to think for himself and express his views. I respect him for taking a stand even though his comments are stongly disfavored by most of his friends in the entertainment industry. Freedom of speech doesn't just mean that you get to say what you want and hear things that are consistent with your views. It means you have to allow others to say things you don't want to hear.
I actually watched this TMZ interview yesterday. Kanie just lost it. The worst thing is he blame everyone else for his mistakes, his missteps. Not mentioning his phrase “400 years of slavery, sounds like a choice." At the end he cooled down, but still, it’s not the first time he made such a controversial statement. I have no idea what goes through his head, but to me it seems like he needs a professional help.
I think he has shown some real metal standing mostly alone in the black community supporting Trump. So, my hat is off to him! As far as him needing professional help... is there any musicians or actors that don't?
Occam's razor says Kanye is just a twat, but don't discount the possibility that there's more going on here. He was $50 million in debt in 2016. Then he cozies up to Trump. Now he's saying stuff like this and appearing on Alex Jones? That's damn suspicious.
2+2=4, - 1 that's 3. It's not even suspicious it's plain obvious. I wager he's going to be a billionaire very soon if Trump manage to secure his next term.
If there's a way to go margin long on him, I'll take all my assets and be all in.
I think Kanye West is hitting the nail at the head. You say you want freedom, yet you are not free to choose who you want to associate with. I don't think that is freedom.
Kanye West is correct, he just wants to be free. That is not a bad thing.
Well, what do we have here :D
I don't know how I've gotten here but I feel compelled to let you know I found this video very amusing. Looking foward to more of your input.
Greetings from Kenya Nanzo! (Such as interesting name, just like your opinion)(:
Kanye West statement was taken out of context, what he is trying to say and explain is that been free is a state of the mind , that freedom is something you have and not something you ask for. If you think you are free then truly you are free @nanzo-scoop
As far as I'm concern, people are just making a big deal out of nothing. We are all at liberty to choose our friends and people we support. If Kanye West admires, Trump, that is his choice which we all have to respect after all this is a man that contested and won an election in the USA
I don't think Kayne west may have just miss it with that statement. Thanks for sharing