If you're lucky enough not to be up to date with one of the year's most shocking and disappointing celebrity stories, rapper and fashion designer Kanye West (now known as Ye) made frequent headlines in November for antisemitic statements, public appearances with noted alt-right figures, and his removal from Twitter after posting a photo of a swastika combined with the Star of David.
Devoted fans are turning the tide following Ye's controversies, however, by turning the 700,000-strong r/Kanye forum into a community of antisemitism awareness, with information on the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust and personal experiences as Jewish fans of Kanye West.
One user posted photos from their visit to Auschwitz, writing “This is what happened to millions of innocent men, women and children as the result of unchecked dehumanizing rhetoric against them. Never again.”
Another user commented: “As a Jew and an early Kanye fan, I neverlooked in this sub[reddit] until this morning and I saw all the holocaustremembrance posts. I’m in tears right now. Thank you for standing up for us.”
Other users have highlighted broader issues beyond Ye's statements. One “Jewish former Ye fan” said “Antisemitism is not a thing of thepast,” urging people to educate themselves on Jewish culture beyond theHolocaust.
Since Kanye's statements, he has been dropped from his noted Adidaspartnership, lost over a purported $1 billion, and suffered a loss in monthlylisteners across all streaming services.