Kanye, The White Supremacist
White supremacists come in all colours.
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I think Kanye’s nonsense of late can be partially instructive, insofar as it sheds light on what White supremacy can look like.
Contrary to the belief of many, White supremacy was never about a personal, targeted attack against White people. White supremacy is not about White people as individuals. White supremacy was always about the features of Whiteness, the phenomenon that is Whiteness. And because it’s not about individuals as much as it is ideology, anyone can be a White supremacist. You can be Black and be a White supremacist, as Kanye exemplifies. You can be Black and espouse Whiteness. You can be racialized and still internalize racism (and let’s not forget — fatphobia is racist). You can be a mentally enslaved “free thinker” just like Kanye.
Once upon a time (because of White supremacy!), the Black body was enslaved — but at least the mind was free. In a strange twist of irony, Kanye’s Black body is free but his mind remains in chains and his reckless words and platform use endangers everyone.
It’s annoying. It’s cringe. It’s sad. It’s irresponsible. And it’s not innocent — it’s deadly.
