45-year-old rapper, Kanye West, who recently launched his “White Lives Matter” attire during Paris fashion week in France, doubled down on his criticism of Black Lives Matter in a Tuesday Instagram story.
“Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam,” he declared, seemingly referencing the group’s multiple multimillion-dollar scandals. “Now its over You’re welcome.”
The Chicago-born rapper was addressing the controversy that began after he donned a T-shirt emblazoned with “White Lives Matter” while staging a surprise Yeezy fashion show that showcased his Season 9 clothing line. Various models, including Lauryn Hill’s 23-year-old daughter Selah Marley, also hit the runway in shirts bearing the slogan, which was created by white supremacists in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. It has since been labeled a “hate slogan” by the Anti-Defamation League.
Along with the aforementioned statement, the 21-time grammy award winner also posed with conservative pundit Candace Owens for a photo that showed them wearing matching “WLM” shirts, which also feature the Pope’s face on the front.
According to the NY Post, the inflammatory fashion statement sparked a firestorm of backlash from celebrities of color, including Temple University Professor Marc Lamont Hill and Jaden Smith, son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.
“I Had To Dip Lol,” tweeted Jaden after walking out of West’s fashion show in protest. He continued his criticism in a series of follow-up tweets: “True Leaders Lead. I Don’t Care Who’s It Is If I Don’t Feel The Message I’m Out. Black Lives Matter. We Demand A More Progressive Future.”
“Kanye West decision to wear a ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt is disgusting, dangerous and irresponsible,” Marc Lamont Hill fumed on Twitter. “Some of y’all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why.”
Black Lives Matter has come under fire after BLM leaders allegedly embezzled money from the organization to fund lavish lifestyles. Last month, BLM head Shalomyah Bowers was accused of “siphoning” more than $10 million in fees from donors to pay his consulting firm.
Black Lives Matter issued a statement after, denying wrongdoing. “Under Shalomyah Bowers’ leadership and the work of Bowers Consulting, BLMGNF has charted a path of responsibility,” the statement read. “The exact opposite of what Melina Abdullah and BLM Grassroots’ baseless lawsuit claims.”
Meanwhile, in March, Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors allegedly used charity funds to pay her brother and child’s father eye-watering sums of cash for various services, according to tax documents filed with the IRS.
Cullors issued a statement after, admitting to throwing parties with funds but denying further wrongdoing.
