Following Donda Academy, Kanye West’s newly established Christian private school, the 45-year-old American rapper is now allegedly planning to build mini-cities called “Yecosystems” across the US.
According to various sources, plans for these cities have been in the works for years. These communities will include residential buildings and retail stores.
Kanye also filed a trademark for charitable fundraising, a public relations arm and a number of food products.
Kanye’s Anti-Semitism
However, news of these Yecosystems are almost insignificant compared to his recent online activities.
Kanye, now also known as Ye, exchanged anti-Semitic conspiracy theories with Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson over the past week.
He also posted anti-Semitic sentiments on his social media accounts and later threatened violence against Jews.
Paris Fashion Week
In the same month, Kanye also made headlines after wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt with American conservative, Candace Owens, during Paris Fashion Week.
The phrase has long served as a violent retort to the Black Lives Matter movement, used by white supremacists and hate groups, including the Ku Klux Klan.
In an interview with TMZ, The BLM movement condemned the rapper’s actions a day after his stunt.
The statement reads: “While some may see Kanye and Candace’s stunt as a distraction, we recognize that it harms thousands of families fighting for justice for their loved ones killed by state-sanctioned violence.”
However, Ye has yet to respond or explain his reasoning behind wearing the shirt.
Public outrage against Kanye
Kanye’s actions were definitely not met with understanding from people online. With many calling to de-platform the rapper.
The pressure on brands
Consequently, people on social media are pressuring his partner brands to make a stand against his statements.
As a result, Balenciaga cut ties with Kanye. With VOGUE, Creative Artists Agency, and Johnny Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, dropping him after.
Despite this, it seems like the rapper feels like he’s untouchable.
In a recent interview, he boasted that the brand Adidas wouldn’t do anything to harm their partnership.
The episode has since been deleted.
As of October 25, Adidas had ended its partnership with Ye with “immediate effect.”
Shares in the clothing brand fell as much as 8% after the announcement but have since pared their losses, according to a report by BBC News.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Adidas has finally joined other brands and agencies and cut ties with Ye (Kanye West). This would not have happened without the almost 175,000 who signed our petition and the celebrities and influencers on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world who helped promote it and amplified the message.”
Kanye’s Mental Health
Many have tried to blame Kanye’s behavior on his Bipolar Disorder.
But his recent stunts and statements serve to uphold extremely dangerous views, which cannot be excused.
What the rapper does not seem to understand is that his online actions have very real-life consequences.
His team, brands and social media platforms should do more to censor Kanye. Above all, he should also get the help he needs.