Warning: This article deals with the topic of targeted violence against a group and may be triggering for some readers.
“I like Hitler,” said Ye, the man who used to go by Kanye West.
“I’m not trying to be shocking. I like Hitler. The Holocaust is not what happened. Let’s look at the facts of that, and Hitler has a lot of redeeming qualities.”
So, here’s a true fact: These statements are abhorrent. You cannot praise Hitler and deny the realities of the Holocaust without being a Nazi. Or a Nazi sympathiser. But let’s be real, is there any tangible difference between these two groups?
These quotes came from a late 2022 interview Ye did with conspiracy spewer, Alex Jones. In this same interview, Ye stated that Jewish people control the media and that they’re hiding him under wooden floorboards. Moreover, Ye has said a lot of other heinous anti-Semetic remarks before and since this interview.
In response to this situation, the American Jewish Committee in Cincinnati’s Regional Director, Justin Kirschner, said, “Words truly matter. The Holocaust did not start with violence, it started with wild conspiracies, narratives, isolation, boycotts, things like that.”
“His remarks have to be recognized as such that is damaging and have true implications not only on the Jewish community but other minorities.”
Related: We Need to Take Right-Wing Terrorism Seriously
Related: Jewish Communities React to Dominic Perrottet’s Nazi Uniform Attack
Ye and Australia
In early 2023, Ye has been planning on coming to Australia. However, there’s been a growing movement to ban Ye from entering. After all, do we really need any more Nazis or Nazi sympathisers here?
As Dvir Abramovich, the Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission said, “He’s a blatant antisemite, he’s a hate preacher who loves Nazis, and worships Hitler, and the Jewish community feels that Australia shouldn’t open the door to this serial bigot who incites violence.”
“The minister for immigration needs to make a clear statement that hate speech and racism will never find a safe haven in our country and deny his entry. Anything else sends a wrong and frightening message that it’s open season on the Jewish community.”
Moreover, politicians across the political aisle have also been united in saying that Ye shouldn’t be allowed in Australia.
Our Education Minister, Jason Clare, said that Ye “seems like he’s a pretty big fan of a person who killed six million Jewish people last century.”
“People like that who’ve applied for visas to get into Australia in the past have been rejected.”
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, said, “My inclination would be not to allow him in. His anti-Sementic comments are disgraceful.”
It’s worth noting that it’s up to the discretion of our Minister for Immigration, Andrew Giles, to ban Ye from entering Australia. However, at least for now, there’s one less Nazi or Nazi sympathiser in the country.
If this article brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or you have experienced targeted violence, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
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