Mental Illness Does Not Excuse Kanye's Antisemitism, Even If It Explains It

[BigmanPigman]

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/10/kanye-west-anti-semitism-mental-illness-bipolar-jews-white-lives-matter.html

This is from Oct., 2022.

Kanye West has been having mental-health issues — and he’s 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 West’s 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 West’s 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 West’s 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]

1. He's an idiot and an embarrassment to Black people.

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]

2. I wonder if Jared is still

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]

3. Yes, Jared and Ivanka's friendship with anti-Semites I just...

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]

6. Their only religion

Is the Almighty Dollar.$

[LiberalFighter]

14. No point for it to go to top when there is nothing there.

[GPV]

5. And to the mentally ill.

[GPV]

4. I'm bipolar, yet I manage not to sound like a bigot. Now, I have held and do hold some unhealthy

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.

[happy feet]

15. +1

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Hitler also had mental health issues and killed 12 million (6 million of them were Jews).

That doesn't excuse him as well.

[Crowman2009]

8. Hitler also killed the doctor who diagnosed his war-related mental health issues.

[Mosby]

12. Hitler was a junkie.

And that doesn't excuse a single thing he did.

[multigraincracker]

9. Ye, TFG and others we see on the media share one thing.

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]

10. Mental depravity drives him, mental illness or not.

[Mosby]

11. The author doesn't think we have free will.

And that homicidal criminals are just living out their neurobiological defects.

People like this need to do more to understand psychology and research methodologies.

[republianmushroom]

13. he is not mentally ill, he seeks attention and this gets it for him