Kanye West should meet British Jews on their terms, not his
The challenge with apologies that arrive on the back of consequence is that they may be sincere, but they are indistinguishable from strategy
Kanye West has spoken. In response to the growing backlash around his appearance at Wireless Festival, he has offered the following:
A desire to “present a show of change.” A call for “unity, peace, and love.” An openness to meet with members of the Jewish community. An acknowledgment that “words aren’t enough.”
On the surface, it reads well, but then come the questions. Why now? Why wait until this moment, only after the headlines, after the outrage, after the sponsors have begun to walk away and he and has enablers are being hit where it truly hurts, in their pockets.
Why was this not the position before standing in front of 170,000 people in Los Angeles? Why was there no offer then to meet with the Jewish community there, to listen, to learn, to understand?
Why only now, when the cost of silence has finally begun to rise?
Because this is the challenge with apologies that arrive on the back of consequence. They may be sincere, but they are indistinguishable from strategy. Their timing is everything, a written apology the day before the announcement of a new record deal, an offer to meet when a major festival appearance is in doubt.
So let me suggest a different course of action, one that might actually result in something meaningful. Recognise the damage you have caused. Not in broad terms, but specifically, directly, without qualification. You know, actually make reference to releasing a song called “Heil Hitler”, selling merch adorned with a swastika, threatening the lives of Jews and spreading age old antisemitic tropes.
Then pull out of Wireless.
But come to London anyway, not to perform, but to listen.
Meet with members of the Jewish community, not for optics, not for photographs, not for validation, just to listen, learn and to understand the impact of what you have said, repeatedly, publicly, and without restraint.
Then take time, time to reflect, time to demonstrate change not through statements, but through sustained action. Then and only then, if that work is real, if that change is evident, come back next year and make every penny that your talent deserves.
Headline the festival then and if you do the work, if you show that the change is genuine, I’ll buy a ticket, I’ll stand in the front row.
But don’t mistake access for acceptance and don’t mistake proximity for progress. Because there will be no shortage of people willing to meet you, for the photograph, for the association, for the moment.
I’d suggest something harder. Seek out those who refuse.
The list may be shorter, but at least you’ll know they’re real.
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