Accountability in Music • Page 781

He knows what demographic butters his bread.

 

Lol

 

the money i would bet that kanye will come out and say actually i did mean what i said

 

Jay Electronica joins fellow rappers in tweeting antisemitic tirade

The anti-semtism goes beyond the lyrics on the feature on no name's song, its also some old tweets of his where he also took the stance that black people are "semitic" so therefore can't be anti-semtic which is... anti-semtic and similar to the other belief that because we've been oppressed by white people, we can't be anti-semetic.

It's a pretty big problem in the black community even beyond just Kanye, there's this really shit view that black people are specifically oppressed by Jewish people like there is a conspiracy by them to make us gay/trans, keep us on drugs, keep us killing each other, etc. It's widespread enough that I've seen other black people discriminate against Jewish people in employment situations as a "just" retaliation for these reasons. The wild thing is some of these talking points overlap with neo-nazi talking points but there's not much self-awareness of that fact.

 

It definitely goes beyond Kanye. He's a huge point of reference because he literally called himself a Nazi, but the actual views presented overlap with more artists and entertainers than we'd like to admit.

 

I think part of what makes that broader conversation about “black antisemitism” uncomfy for me is that conversation seems to happen way more often than and in more harsh tones than any kind of “Jewish racism” conversation. And while obviously black Americans weren’t *especially* oppressed by Jewish people I do think - to be pedantic or “nuanced” - they have been “specifically” oppressed by Jewish Americans in the same way you could say that about Irish Americans. Maybe more so, because I do think there have been specific historic relationships between the two communities, especially in Brooklyn, Chicago, and the music industry where high profile individual Jews and Jewish organizations with discrete local or industry power have in fact been racist *as Jews* and wielded influence in Jewish communities or their history of being the victims of oppression in Europe for anti-black ends. And like, as upsetting as it is that anyone would be denied employment for being Jewish I don’t think anyone would claim “black antisemitism” has had a more outsized impact on really anything than “Jewish racism”. So while I know that *here* no one is turning around from this conversation and quoting Max Bemis lyrics saying Jews had it harder than black people, that’s the kind of thing that’s rolling around my head whenever it comes it.

 

Personally, I think "well actually" arguments when it comes to prejudice and racism is really unnecessary because all forms should be equally looked down upon and not tolerated.

Trying to put nuance into it makes me very uncomfortable because it starts giving undertones of "this is okay because they had it worse", which I don't think should be the takeaway. It should be zero tolerance across the board.

 

I don’t think that attitude reflects reality or history or is useful for combatting these phenomenon

 

Are we concerned with anti-white comments then? Zero tolerance across the board for any kind prejudice, all equally looked down on? I don’t think anyone reading this believes that to its conclusion

 

There’s nuance in most things, especially topics of race, even when it’s in a case like this where the antisemitism is blatantly and clearly wrong, and I don’t think anyone is excusing it. I do think looking at the complexities and nuances in a conversation like this can be insightful and better equip future understanding, even if blanket condemnations are easier. As spectators, really, especially for non-black, non-Jewish spectators reacting to this, I think it all but requires really looking deeper at a lot of history that informs some of the moving parts. We can do that while still opposing the antisemitism.

 

Maybe I'm being simple about it. I'm Jewish, but I am also white, and I don't have a historical perspective or an understanding of how we got here as a species.

But I do think if humanity has any chance of saving itself from its own annihilation, it's going to start by treating everyone on an equal level of respect.

 

Not to distract from the current conversation, but it annoys me that Into It. Over It. is still playing shows.

 

I genuinely don’t understand how this is your takeaway from anything Wharf Rat said. It’s valid and relevant to the conversation. Nothing he’s saying is “well actually”. Both issues exist, he’s just pointing out that one issue isn’t as pointedly addressed by society and the community

 

Is this actually Matty Healy?

 

from some of the replies, it seems so!

 

yikes!

 

I don't think Lucy would reply to a random account

 

Who would've thought the singer of the INXS tribute act would have a good take?

 

He deleted the account but here's the tweet

 

Matt Healy sucks and has ruined all enjoyment I’ve ever had for the 1975

 

It's just so easy to ... not do this.

 

I really don’t understand people who feel the need to use slurs for “comedic effect”

 

it sucks, it's not funny, and more than anything, the ironic racism/ableism Cumtown stuff is lazy and hacky

 

dude's either addicted to being a part of the news cycle or is actively trying to get himself in trouble. either way, it stinks