Kanye’s Anti-Semitism Bears Bitter Fruit and Ted Cruz Is the Most Hated Man in America
Tucker Carlson's Lie Creates Panic, Ron DeSantis Poisons Schools, "Black Adam," Marjorie Taylor Greene's Dunce Cap
Politics: Kanye’s Anti-Semitism Bears Bitter Fruit
More antisemitic hate seen in L.A. after Kanye West’s hateful rants (Los Angeles Times)
Summary: After a series of anti-Semitic posts on social media and in interviews, West’s comments have inspired hate groups to demonstrate in Los Angeles: “On Saturday, demonstrators gave Nazi salutes as they stood behind a large overpass banner that read, ‘Kanye is right about the Jews,’ according to images collected by antidiscrimination organizations and Jewish residents appalled by the group’s message.” In addition, flyers promoting conspiracy theories about Jews and LGBTQ+ people have been distributed to residents.
My Take: Racists wait for an excuse to emerge from their hidey-holes to openly spout their insanity. It’s like open-mic night for white supremacists. West gave them that mic and up they popped like Whack-a-Moles to karaoke their hate. That’s why we have to be ever-vigilant for any expression of hate against marginalized groups. Sadly, what West doesn’t seem to understand is that the same people using his name to justify their demonstration against Jews would just as soon go medieval on him given the chance. And his hate speech gives them the chance to do it to others.
There is some hope here: Since his comments, West’s music has taken a hit: airplay is down 13% and streaming is down 23%—though in a just and enlightened world it would be down 100%. Which means those still listening don’t really care about racism and anti-Semitism. Other good news: many of the companies that were in business with West have ended their relationship, including Adidas, Balenciaga, J.P. Morgan, the Gap, Def Jam, and his talent agency CAA. That is exactly the response that we should all take against such hateful speech that promotes fear and violence. We are living in an era when the past atrocities are fading from memory: 20% of Millennials and Gen Z in New York believe the Jews caused the Holocaust; 63% of Americans don’t know six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust; although there were 40,000 camps and ghettos in Europe during the Holocaust, 48 percent of Americans cannot name a single one.
It’s important that the reaction to hate speech is swift and clear. Some Jewish and non-Jewish celebrities immediately responded with their condemnation, while many others remained silent. The Kardashians, including West’s ex-wife Kim, waited two weeks to respond with a refutation of his comments. Finally. Two weeks is a long time when you’re part of the group being bullied, harassed, and attacked.
Finally, where are all the famous professional athletes who asked for widespread support during Black Lives Matter protests. And received it from many Jews.
But we have to, because no one is free unless everyone is free.