Rapper Kanye West attended the presentation of the Yeezy season 9 collection in Paris, France on Monday, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “White Lives Matter.”
The artist, also known as “Ye,” was wearing a matching t-shirt when conservative commentator and author Candice Owens also attended the event and unveiled West’s latest clothing collection. Other models at the event also wore different variations of the same design. report by complex.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 3, 2022
Owens later shared on Twitter image A T-shirt with the late John Paul II on the front and the words “White Lives Matter” on the back.
West’s tee immediately caused a stir on social media, including rapper Jaden Smith, son of actor Will Smith, who was in attendance at the event.
A young Smith explained on Twitter that he left the event after seeing the T-shirt. write in“I don’t care who’s who if I don’t feel the message that I’m out”, before adding “Black Lives Matter.”
Temple University professor and BET host Mark Lamont Hill called He said West’s decision to wear the T-shirt was “disgusting, dangerous and irresponsible” and that anyone trying to defend West should “ask yourself why.”
“We don’t need to be reminded of the value of white lives.”
Other producer and media personality Van Lathan I have written on Instagram: “No need to be reminded of the value of white lives. America is the holy land of white values. is.”
“In that sense, it’s a white supremacist concept because it assumes that you can’t have a conversation about black values without a conversation about white values. [expletive] Insane,” Lathan wrote. “The idea that it has to always be about white people in America is incredibly frustrating, emotionally draining, and the whole problem. is.”
The term “White Lives Matter” was coined in 2015 in response to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement protesting the police killing of a black man. In 2020, BLM protests often devolved into mob vandalism of property and police vehicles by mobs.
of Anti-Defamation League It states that it is a “white supremacist phrase” that has been used by groups including the Ku Klux Klan.
West has not uncommonly drawn criticism for sparking a backlash among the black community when he said in 2018 that “slavery was a choice,” but later apologized for his comments.
In 2020, West donated $2 million to the families of Armaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, part of which went to Floyd’s daughter’s education.
West is also a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, and said in a 2020 interview with WSJ Magazine that she was heavily criticized for publicly endorsing him.
“I’m a black man in red. [MAGA] hat, can you imagine? … I remember being a pre-famous black man walking in a restaurant and people looking at me like I was trying to steal something,” he said. “This is your place, yes, don’t talk apparel. This is your place, you’re black, so you’re a Democrat.”
West himself ran a failed White House bid in 2020. The artist, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, announced on Sept. “Good Morning America” Interview He may try to run again in the future.