Is Forgiving Kanye A Mistake?

In recent years, “cancel culture” has become a defining aspect of public discourse. When prominent public figures say or do something harmful, fans are quick to respond by withdrawing support, calling for boycotts, and pressuring companies to cut ties with said person's content. This raises the ongoing debate: 

Should society forgive controversial celebrities, or should their actions permanently overshadow their work? 

Celebrities that make lasting cultural impact make this question even more complex, for example, take Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is one of the clearest examples of this dilemma. As an artist, Ye revolutionized hip-hop culture. Albums like “The College Dropout" and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” influenced generations of music, lyricists, and genres. People who stand by his work will often say that you can "separate the art from the artist." But is this really a valid claim?

However, Ye’s public behavior has drawn more attention to harmful rhetoric than his music. In 2022, Ye engaged in rants praising Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, making statements such as “I love Nazis” and “I see good things about Hitler.” He frequently utilized antisemitic libels, such as the claims that Jewish people control the media and the government. He was suspended from Twitter/X in October of 2022 after tweeting he was going to “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” He was suspended from Twitter again in December after tweeting a picture of a swastika inside the Star of David, and appearing on InfoWars with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, where he openly praised Adolf Hitler and minimized the effects of the Holocaust. 

The consequences of this were immediate. Adidas terminated its deal with Yeezy, costing Ye his billionaire status. He also lost major deals with Gap and Balenciaga. Although he apologized in 2023, Ye’s behavior has not changed. Antisemitic comments appeared in his 2024 music, and in 2025, he took to social media again to praise Hitler, reaffirmed his 2018 statement that slavery was a “choice,” and sold merchandise featuring the swastika symbol. 

His controversies extended beyond antisemitism. During his divorce from Kim Kardashian, Ye used social media to harass her, her family, and her then boyfriend, Pete Davidson. The “Eazy” music video depicted a claymation version of Ye kidnapping, decapitating, and burying alive a character with a similar appearance to Davidson. The imagery was widely condemned as threatening and inappropriate. 

Kanye’s treatment of his employees has also come under scrutiny. Donda Academy, the private school he founded, faced multiple lawsuits by students and staff over allegedly unfair and bizarre rules, such as bans on chairs, crossword puzzles, and forks. Staff also reported numerous safety concerns, including exposed electrical wiring and a lack of student supervision. Additional lawsuits accuse Ye of unpaid labor and exposing students and staff to pornography during meetings. 

Ye’s pattern of inflammatory public statements extends beyond antisemitism. In 2022, he wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt to Paris Fashion Week. He falsely claimed that George Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose, contradicting court findings and medical evidence that pointed to police brutality. This resulted in a lawsuit by Floyd’s family over the spread of misinformation. 

Ye also has a long history of public altercations, including a confrontation with paparazzi that led to his 2008 arrest for destroying a camera. In recent years, he’s appeared uninvited, disrupting major events such as the 2025 Grammys. He and his legal team have attributed his behavior to bipolar disorder and neurological damage from a car crash in 2002. 

Currently in 2026, Ye attempted to reenter the public conversation through a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal titled, “To Those I’ve Hurt”. In the ad, he apologized for his antisemitic behavior and claimed that he “lost touch with reality”. Although he stated that these factors did not excuse his actions, his apology was met with considerable skepticism. Many critics noted that the apology came conveniently before the release of new music and live performances, raising questions about whether it demonstrated genuine accountability or was a calculated effort to rehabilitate his public image. It appears to be another PR stunt aimed at correcting his past.

Around the same time, Ye took to the stage in New Mexico for a live performance with his daughter, North West. The performance was framed as a vulnerable and humanizing moment by some, while others criticized it as another instance of Ye using personal relationships to soften public perception. Rather than signaling a clear change, it reinforced the pattern of Ye controlling the narrative without fully addressing the harm he caused. While Ye is an extreme example, many artists and other celebrities find themselves in a similar position. 

Ultimately, separating the art from the artist is not a neutral choice. Steaming music, buying merchandise, and engaging with their content financially and culturally sustain their platform. While Ye’s early work remains influential, his continued actions force audiences to decide whether cultural impact outweighs ethical responsibility. 

Forgiveness should not be automatic, nor should it be based solely on apologies or rebranding efforts. It should be earned through sustained change, accountability, and demonstrated respect for the people harmed. Turning the question from whether you should forgive Ye because of his talent, to whether talent alone is enough for forgiveness. It certainly seems that the general public has decided that in 2026, the excuses and apologies aren’t enough. Artists must take accountability. 

Sources

Deutch, Ted. “5 of Kanye West’s Antisemitic Remarks, Explained | AJC.” Www.ajc.org, 2 Dec. 2022, www.ajc.org/news/5-of-kanye-wests-antisemitic-remarks-explained.

Qayum, Mariam. “North West Steps out with Long Blue Hair and Baggy Pants to Perform Her Song at Kanye West’s Concert as Fans React to Her ‘Cringe’ Performance: ‘She Can’t Sing.’” SheFinds, 8 Feb. 2026, www.shefinds.com/collections/north-west-blue-hair-baggy-pants-singing-kanye-west-concert/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

Somner, Zoe. “All Falls Down: Antisemitism and the Downfall of Kanye West.” Hopkins School, 15 Dec. 2022, www.therazoronline.com/news-detail?pk=1512071