Mental Illness Does Not Excuse Kanye's Antisemitism, Even If It Explains It
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/10/kanye-west-anti-semitism-mental-illness-bipolar-jews-white-lives-matter.htmlThis is from Oct., 2022.
Kanye West has been having mental-health issues and hes also been histrionically antisemitic. In recent days, debates over whether there is any relationship between these two facts have roiled the discourse.
"The impulsiveness and egotism of Wests recent behavior is consistent with the symptoms of a manic episode, and West has previously spoken about his struggles with bipolar disorder. Still, many insist on drawing a sharp line between his disordered mental state and his odious ideological pronouncements. They argue, quite rightly, that neither bigotry nor antisemitism are characteristic symptoms of bipolar disorder. People with mental disorders are no more prone to hatefulness than those without. To suggest otherwise by baselessly attributing Wests antisemitism to his psychiatric affliction is both to promote stigma against people suffering from mental illness and to excuse his hateful diatribes as helpless spasms, if not harmless amusements.
"But whether his bigoted beliefs and/or his attraction to controversy derives from his mood disorder seems far less clear. There are plenty of bigoted billionaires who suffer from no mental-health issues. To attribute Wests hateful sentiments solely to his condition not only stigmatizes his fellow sufferers but also obscures the cultural wellsprings of antisemitism: If you place a paranoid, manic narcissist into a society bereft of antisemitic ideology, hatred of Jewish people will not magically emerge from their mood swings."
brush
(53,475 posts)Last edited Fri Dec 2, 2022, 05:25 AM - Edit history (1)
I can't imagine where his anti-Semitism comes from. It makes about as much sense as when he once claimed enslavement was a choice by Black people.
It's apparent his elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.
BigmanPigman
(51,432 posts)a pal of his, as well as Ivanka. If they are they have earned "the hypocrite of the year award". For years I have tried to understand how Jared, a Jew, could kiss his FIL's ass constantly while spreading hate speech toward several groups, including Jews.
brush
(53,475 posts)don't get either. And Jared also curries favor with MBS...well, I do get that...he got 2B from Middle East friends (I'm pretty sure some of that was to be shared with the orange turd for favors rendered...but he still has to look in the mirror every morning, especially when Khashoggi's name comes up.
Maine Abu El Banat
(3,479 posts)Is the Almighty Dollar.$
LiberalFighter
(50,504 posts)GPV
(72,377 posts)GPV
(72,377 posts)thinking that can be very hard to let go of, so I get the compulsion piece, but I believe it's possible for people to improve themselves regardless of the challenges they face. Otherwise, I'm just throwing my money away in therapy.
no_hypocrisy
(45,774 posts)That doesn't excuse him as well.
Crowman2009
(2,478 posts)Mosby
(16,168 posts)And that doesn't excuse a single thing he did.
multigraincracker
(32,531 posts)They seek and get attention for their actions. Find a way to ignore them and they will go away. Not an easy task, but it would be effective. Basic Behaviorism, ignore negative behavior and reward good behavior to effect change.
I'm very impressed with the authors restraint from using the word "racism" as that is a false concept. The correct term is "bigotry".
Thanks for the post.
twodogsbarking
(9,308 posts)Mosby
(16,168 posts)And that homicidal criminals are just living out their neurobiological defects.
People like this need to do more to understand psychology and research methodologies.