Recommendations of the Editorial team
As with a bad car accident, the youngest hate speeches and misogynizies from Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) to look at painful. And continue to trigger shock and dismay in all areas of the entertainment world.
After an earlier inconvenient apology to the Jewish community for earlier anti-Semitic statements and actions, Ye has now reinforced his intolerance in social media messages, the “I love Hitler”, “I am a Nazi” and ‘I will never apologize for my Jewish comments’. However, the most worrying was his super-Bowl commercial, which linked to Yeezy.com, where the only article was offered a T-shirt with a nazis swastika for sale.
Our organization had before these recent events, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), together with other organizations that deal with anti -Semitism and educate them, already explained the real consequences of its earlier anti -Semitic actions. The ADL claimed that numerous incidents – including violent attacks – were related to Kanye Western anti -Semitic statements.
“Silence is dangerous”
Many companies did not hesitate to immediately end the collaboration with him. The Talentagentur Caa dropped him while Adidas ended the cooperation. The independent studio MRC hired a film/documentary film project for the West. It was publicly stated: “We cannot support content that strengthens its platform.” According to Yees Super-Bowl Stunt, the e-commerce platform Shopify deleted its online account.
We join the words of the leading personalities of the entertainment industry Ari Emanuel (CEO von Endavor) and Jeremy Zimmer (CEO of United Talent Agency). In 2022, both said that nobody and no company with Kanye West should do business. But they went on. Emanuel explained that “silence is dangerous” and that “West’s business partners in the fashion and entertainment industry also have to raise their voice and take measures”.
Fox is silent
Nevertheless, FOX and FOX Television Stations (FTS) have so far been silent. Apart from an internal memothat in our opinion was not far enough.
FOX and FTS have not apologized publicly to bring Kanye West to their platform after a one -week anti -Semitic tirade. Regardless of where his website ultimately linked.
Fox and FTS have not publicly distanced themselves from Yee’s actions and statements.
And Fox and FTS have not agreed to donate the money that YE paid them for combating and clarifying about anti -Semitism. (A representative of FOX and FTS did not answer a request for comment.)
No company should do business with Kanye West. Point.
Unfortunately, FOX and FTS are not the only ones, since several companies continue to do business with YE and/or benefit from previous business relationships with him.
No company should do business with it. Point.
Although business contracts are complicated, those who still have ongoing or existing business with YE must understand the message he sends and should not benefit from his hatred. But think about how you can invest this funds to make positive changes.
The Super Bowl fiasco should be a warning to all companies. To do business with YE is a bad business.
It has nothing to do with “Cancel Culture”. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right. But it doesn’t stay without consequences.
Kanye West is free to say what he wants. But companies should not support their hatred and promote it. This includes companies, agents, distributors, artists, festivals and producers who continue to work with them.
The decision you make can save lives
It is not a question of silence because of their identity or political beliefs. Rather, it is about the moral decision of companies to continue to benefit from someone who sat and strengthens hatred. There is a strong contrast between the defense of artistic freedom and the support of a person who misuses their platform for the spread of intolerance.
As head of the non -profit organization Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) in the entertainment industry, we believe in the power of having art and culture to build bridges between different communities. And to promote a more tolerant and better future.
CCFP is now asking all companies and artists who continue to do business with YE to ask the following questions. Do you think music and culture can be a force for positive changes? If so, can you continue to benefit from someone who can be guided by hatred?
The decision you make can save lives. It will certainly make our world a more sensible place where some rational discussions can begin.
David Renzer
Chairman/co -founder, Creative Community for Peace
Steve Schnur
Co -founder, Creative Community for Peace
Ari Ingel
Managing Director, Creative Community for Peace