The Black Jewish Justice Alliance (BJJA) issued a statement on October 27 condemning recent comments from rapper Kanye West and the banners held by a white supremacist group on the 405 freeway on October 22.
The banners stated that “Kanye was right about the Jews” and the perpetrators were seen doing Nazi salutes.
“We believe that what occurred on the 405 freeway on Sunday 10/23/2022 in Los Angeles is disgusting, and is unfortunately evidence of a growing trend of overt anti-semitic and racist incidents and messages taking place in Los Angeles and nationally,” the BJJA statement read. They added that because “Kanye West has such a large platform and can influence so many people, he must be held accountable for emboldening White Supremacy. West’s recent statements are fanning the embers of hatred, a hatred stirred up by the former President and reflecting a rising white nationalist sentiment across the country. His remarks display a total disregard for the safety and well-being of the Jewish Community and the African American community, especially those who are houseless.” The statement concluded by saying that they are “are united in our belief that all people are created in the image of God and all are worthy of dignity and love.”
There are currently more than 70 signatories to the statement, including Rabbi Aryeh Cohen of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action and Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR.
West has been dropped by Adidas and the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) following his antisemitic remarks. TMZ has since reported that West spontaneously showed up to Skechers’ headquarters in Manhattan Beach on October 26 and was subsequently turned away. “Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West,” a spokesperson for the company told TMZ. “We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate speech. Again, West showed up unannounced and uninvited to Skechers corporate offices.”
