Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think Kanye West's racism is going to lead to an increase in violence against Jews?

254 replies

smokedsalm0n · 02/12/2022 11:03

Firstly, I am Jewish, no connection to Israel, I'm not Israeli (not that I need to qualify my post with that) and have lived in the UK all my life.

So, after his recent rantings about loving Hitler, Nazis and the holocaust (torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrity/i-like-hitler-kanye-west-doubles-down-on-hate-speech-on-alex-jones-infowars-show)

I'm feeling very scared and scared for my kids, especially reading recent threads like this:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4662884-kanye-wests-harmful-views-tackling-antisemitism-at-school

Kanye is very influential and popular with the younger generation and my Jewish children are already getting more racist comments said to their faces without any fear of retribution. I am genuinely scared for their physical safety. Jews shouldn't have to live in fear, its 2022 ffs not the 1930s!

OP posts:
WalkingThroughTreacle · 02/12/2022 13:31

Naunet · 02/12/2022 13:20

I don’t see why it would. Did Donald Trump being president lead to a rise in sexual assault in the UK?

I don't see where the OP limited the scope to the UK.

That aside, Trump did manage to convince a significant number of people to participate in or support an attempt to overthrow the US democratic system. If that isn't a frightening example of just how much damage can be done even by an uncharismatic buffoon, if they are given a big enough platform, I don't know what is.

user1471465329 · 02/12/2022 13:35

@Luckydip1 you don't fool me. I can see what you are a mile off.

I'm sorry you're experiencing this shite OP. I do understand your worry - anyone who tries to deny the Holocaust, and says they love Hitler, is rancid and harmful enough as it is, but for an international celebrity to do so is really freaking dangerous.

It doesn't matter that the mainstream laugh at him - neo-nazis are used to being ridiculed. They will feel emboldened nonetheless. I mean this is the same guy who was repped in a (now deleted) meme by richest man in the world just last week - in October Elon Musk posted a pic of himself, Trump and West as the Three Musketeers. He mixes with and is admired by very powerful people. What does that say about the people heading up our societies?

georgarina · 02/12/2022 13:37

Mountainpika · 02/12/2022 12:21

There are two issues here.

  1. Anti-semitism is wrong. No question about that.

  2. The Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians is utterly apalling.

The two issues become confused so people lump all Jews together as bullies although, of course, not all of them support the government's actions in Palestine.

And then there are people who just dislike others becuse they are a different colour or race. No excuse for that.

Do you hold British Muslims accountable for the actions of Middle Eastern countries' governments?

user1471465329 · 02/12/2022 13:39

Why are people taking about Palestine in relation to Kanye West? The man has never mentioned anything about it even once.

That is not related to his anti-Semitism and love of Hitler. He's obsessed with the music industry and Hollywood.

Lifelessordinary1 · 02/12/2022 13:40

He is vile but also so unimportant i doubt he influences anyone to behave in a certain way.

unsureatthispoint · 02/12/2022 13:40

I don't condone hate speech of any kind BUT don't you think that the trend of the last 6-odd years of hailing the qualities of one group over others has a role to play in this?

Take BLM, how nobody can speak against it, say it's wrong, etc. This can (and it indeed seems to be) stoke resentment from other groups who feel left behind or 'unwanted' for lack of a better word. It may not even be a marginalised group, it could even be the majority

Or how advertising seems to only display certain ethnicities (in the UK). Month of this or that, etc. In everyone's face, all the time

The backlash is to be expected in a way. You are understandably worried about Jews now OP. Tomorrow it could be others.

I don't remember there being so much division amongst groups before. And this is fuelled by the media, SM, advertising, etc.

georgarina · 02/12/2022 13:44

It's not just Kanye. Antisemitism is v common in the rap community in general...Stormzy, Nick Cannon, Giggs off the top of my head. Reggie Yates was also forced to apologise for antisemitic comments he made in relation to the music industry.

Bideshi · 02/12/2022 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

toffeecrisps · 02/12/2022 13:48

unsureatthispoint · 02/12/2022 13:40

I don't condone hate speech of any kind BUT don't you think that the trend of the last 6-odd years of hailing the qualities of one group over others has a role to play in this?

Take BLM, how nobody can speak against it, say it's wrong, etc. This can (and it indeed seems to be) stoke resentment from other groups who feel left behind or 'unwanted' for lack of a better word. It may not even be a marginalised group, it could even be the majority

Or how advertising seems to only display certain ethnicities (in the UK). Month of this or that, etc. In everyone's face, all the time

The backlash is to be expected in a way. You are understandably worried about Jews now OP. Tomorrow it could be others.

I don't remember there being so much division amongst groups before. And this is fuelled by the media, SM, advertising, etc.

People criticize BLM all the time, including on here.

And if people have a problem with ethnic minorities in adverts, then that says more about them than the advertisers.

Squeezita · 02/12/2022 13:48

Whilst I think Kanye has been an anti-semitic prat, I doubt the youth will pay him any attention, but I can understand why you are concerned.

Last night on the Rageh Omaar show I was watching a segment about the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut where 20 children were murdered. I know it wasn’t a Jewish school, but all it takes is for one weirdo to get an idea in his head.

The biggest threat to Jews in the UK are the National Front types and they are on the rise, emboldened by the election of the Far Right party in Italy and the near election of Le Pen’s Far Right party in France. The drumbeats may grow here in the UK too.

These are scary times.

Notjustanymum · 02/12/2022 13:50

The issue here, I think, is that he’s spouting this rubbish which is so clearly bonkers, given the fact that KW would almost certainly (had he been living in Germany or Poland in the 1930’s) have been subject to the same fate as many of the Jews.

However, the problem is that he does have a platform, as evidenced by the reporting of his rants, and it is likely that if no one claps back at him publicly, people who ARE inclined to be antisemitic think this somehow gives then a free pass to spout similar rubbish.
We should ALL be clapping back at behaviour like this, OP, there is truth in the “First they came…” poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller, and as a white, Christian woman, I am so sorry that his disgusting behaviour is affecting you and yours…

Choconut · 02/12/2022 13:51

Everyone knows Kanye has Bipolar disorder and it often seems probably a god complex. He thinks he has the answer and is the answer to all the worlds problems. He needs to step away and get himself well - but he probably doesn't feel like there's anything wrong with him, he probably thinks he's invincible and even if the whole world disagrees with him, then they're the ones that are wrong. What do you do with someone that ill? IMO he shouldn't be allowed on tv for his own sake as well as others, he's not going to listen to anyone advising him as he probably thinks he's god, and people want him on their show as he's very famous and who knows what craziness he'll come out with next (or what he can be goaded into saying) - it's exploitation in itself IMO.

HIs influence means he's a worry, but reading the other MN thread that the OP linked to was more horrifying IMO. A teacher who didn't know if it was worth tackling anti semitism because that just might make it worse. WHAT? Could you imagine a teacher saying that about racism in a school? Before it was an issue with the labour party I had no idea anti semitism was such an problem in this country but it's really worrying that teachers think it's not worth tackling for whatever reason.

Murasakispillowbook · 02/12/2022 13:53

I suspect most people think he's batshit to be honest. I dont believe he's "cool" any more. If he ever was. You'd hope the age of his "fans" would add some common sense to them now.

I do wish the media would stop reporting on him though. Starving flames is better than fanning them.

I get why OP is concerned. It's quite terrifying to think people think like this.

Echobelly · 02/12/2022 13:58

Yes, ideally people shouldn't be covering his ramblings at all.

Twentypast · 02/12/2022 13:58

Mountainpika · 02/12/2022 12:21

There are two issues here.

  1. Anti-semitism is wrong. No question about that.

  2. The Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians is utterly apalling.

The two issues become confused so people lump all Jews together as bullies although, of course, not all of them support the government's actions in Palestine.

And then there are people who just dislike others becuse they are a different colour or race. No excuse for that.

Why do Jews have to have an opinion on the Israeli government? Do you ask Muslims to have an opinion on human rights in Qatar or Saudi?

Mountainpika · 02/12/2022 14:02

My post seems to have caused some confusion.
I don't support any type of racism. Nor do I think that people of a particular race or religion can be held responsible for the actions of another group of the same race or religion.
But - and this is my point - there are those who will blame ALL members of that race or religion for the bad actions of some of them. I'm talking generally, not about a specific individual.

toffeecrisps · 02/12/2022 14:04

Mountainpika · 02/12/2022 14:02

My post seems to have caused some confusion.
I don't support any type of racism. Nor do I think that people of a particular race or religion can be held responsible for the actions of another group of the same race or religion.
But - and this is my point - there are those who will blame ALL members of that race or religion for the bad actions of some of them. I'm talking generally, not about a specific individual.

No confusion. We know exactly why you brought up Israel.

dollyknocker · 02/12/2022 14:10

Echobelly · 02/12/2022 12:17

BTW, The whole 'Ooh, the entertainment industry is run by Jews' thing is just like the 'Ooh, Jews in banking' thing because yes, there are quite a lot of Jews is both. And the reason is, funnily enough, antisemitism.

Jews historically were banned on many places from owning land and from many jobs. But they were allowed to be money lenders, because people wanted someone to borrow money off and who they could then accuse collectively off being mean, money-obsessed & exploiting good Christians. And so Jews have long had involvement in finance because they were basically forced into it.

The entertainment industry, when it began to be a thing, was picked up by Jews because it wasn't seen as very respectable or 'Christian', so it was Jews who became some of the first entertainment entrepreneurs (my Dad basically did a PhD about this!) and hence began the strong Jewish entertainment industry relationships.

Worth knowing if you ever want to refute people's conspiracy ramblings.

This is really interesting, thank you!

OP I'm so sorry, YADNBU, anyone spouting this shit with a huge platform like KW is definitely concerning. I was horrified when I saw it.

georgarina · 02/12/2022 14:15

Mountainpika · 02/12/2022 14:02

My post seems to have caused some confusion.
I don't support any type of racism. Nor do I think that people of a particular race or religion can be held responsible for the actions of another group of the same race or religion.
But - and this is my point - there are those who will blame ALL members of that race or religion for the bad actions of some of them. I'm talking generally, not about a specific individual.

So...'Islamophobia is wrong, but Qatar/terrorism/Rochdale makes them all look bad.'

BuckarooBanzai · 02/12/2022 14:17

I think his celebrity star status is waning and he's now being shocking to try and stay relevant. No brands will touch him and the memes I've seen are not flattering. I think he's on the way out.

IncompleteSenten · 02/12/2022 14:21

He may well be used as an excuse by those always looking for a chance to be racist.

Nobody's words make anyone anything that wasn't hiding inside them in the first place.

His words won't make people anti semetic.

His words will reveal existing anti semites.

ancientgran · 02/12/2022 14:23

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 02/12/2022 11:07

Is Kanye West really all that popular with the kids now?
Everyone I know thinks he's a bit of a joke
(and in recent times more of a dangerous joke - but definitely not someone to look up to/ respect/ take seriously)
I sincerely hope he becomes more of an irrelevant has-been as soon as possible.

I agree. 18 year old GS was telling me about what Kanye West was saying last night, he said what an idiot he is.

Naunet · 02/12/2022 14:26

Wheatandchaffinch · 02/12/2022 13:26

This is not the same thing at all.

Show quote history

Why? Genuine question.

Simonjt · 02/12/2022 14:28

I do worry his actions will make other anti-semites feel more confident to speak out etc, the way the likes of nigel farage inspires confidents in islamophobes etc. It would be better all round if the press ignored him, where as they’re giving him a very large platform.

ancientgran · 02/12/2022 14:35

Simonjt · 02/12/2022 14:28

I do worry his actions will make other anti-semites feel more confident to speak out etc, the way the likes of nigel farage inspires confidents in islamophobes etc. It would be better all round if the press ignored him, where as they’re giving him a very large platform.

Wouldn't a lot of racist bigots be anti KW as a black man as much as they are antisemitic? I sort of assumed the sort of person who is racist is well racist.