Chad Debates In Defense of Kanye West

Kanye West wants to make you uncomfortable. Whether you’re a paparazzo, an unassuming teenage pop/country singer, or a casual listener; his mission is to provoke and open up the door for conversation. Using shock value, Yeezey has found ways to spark dialogue and debate on a myriad of issues since stepping into his own as a solo artist ten years ago.

We championed Kanye when he said what most of Black America was thinking about George Bush and we secretly enjoyed him taking Taylor Swift’s thunder do defend a video that was superior. Why are people so quick to jump on Yeezus all of a sudden for stirring up controversy?

Kanye has let the whole world know that he is in love with Kim Kardashian. During an interview with Ryan Seacrest on October 29, the court of public opinion has been treating Mr. West like he is having delusions of grandeur. He bucked at the proverbial system for Kim K being deemed ineligible for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame because she is a reality star, thumbed his nose at Vogue for being classist snobs, and then said that the mother of his child is more influential than Michelle Obama.

First and foremost, what’s wrong with what Kanye West said? He defended his fiancée. What boyfriend/husband-to-be worth anything shouldn’t do the same thing? He’s supposed to defend her if he feels she’s been slighted. Here’s the thing: when going to bat for Kim Kardashian, Yeezus is 3-for-3. Why shouldn’t Kimmy get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Mickey Mouse has on and he’s a cartoon mouse. He called out the system for their archaic system on which they deem should be recognized for their talents accomplishments in show business. To say that someone who has made themselves and their family a fixture in tv, film, print, and social media doesn’t get to be acknowledged because of their claim to fame is reality television is outdated especially when it has been the most popular form of television for the last fifteen years is ridiculous. Vogue magazine can be classist, but that’s their brand. And oh yeah- Klout, the website that ranks everyone on social media (you too) numerically based on multiple platforms- says that Kim Kardashian’s score is 90 and Michelle Obama is 88… she is more influential than the first lady.

Mr. West has ruffled even more feathers within the last week because of his use of the Confederate Battle Flag in his touring merchandise. In pop-up shops, there have been banners of the Stars and Bars, shirts and tote bags with a torn up flag with a grim reaper-like character with the words “I Ain’t Coming Down.” As far as the phrase on the paraphernalia, once again Kanye is right. For all of us of color who has traveled down south know-the flag that is a reminder of how we have been treated since arriving on American shores four hundred years ago –is seen as a sign of southern pride and heritage. It’s not coming down. One hundred fifty-eight years since the Confederate States of America ceased to exist it can be seen in just about any store in its former states on some kind of product for sale.

To explain his use for the ultimate American symbol of division, Kanye West told AMP radio

“"The Confederate flag represented slavery in a way. That's my abstract take on what I know about it, right? So I wrote the song, 'New Slaves.' So I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It's my flag now. Now what you gonna do?"

I think this was a call for debate. Because what is anyone going to do? Al Sharpton can lead a boycott against him, major publications can write about him, but that’s not going to stop the flag from coming down.

For the record, I don't necessarily approve of the use of the flag. While it may represent pride for some for others it is a sign of hatred and fear. To combat this, there have been a attempts to reclaim the flag and change its meaning. A few years ago, Ludacris performed and changed the color of the flag from red, white, and blue to the colors symbolizing African Solidarity: red, black, and green; but it didn’t cause as many waves as Kanye West has within the last week. As much as we associate this flag with racism and hatred, what about the American Flag? The flag that we put our right hand on our hearts and salute to, pledge to, and sing that the flag was still there after the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air. The Confederate States did not deem slavery a legal practice. The three-fifths clause calling African slaves subhuman was written into the American Constitution. The verdict of Dredd Scott deeming that blacks-free or enslaved-were not American citizens was passed in 1857 by the Supreme Court three years before South Carolina seceded from the Union. The verdict of Supreme Court Case Plessy vs. Feguson-the case that set the stage for separate but equal provisions of private services mandated by state government was constitutional- was decided May 18, 1896; thirty one years after the Confederate States of America re-joined the union.

Let the debate begin.