Kanye West faces backlash for requesting Swastika necklace designs
-Reuters
Kanye West is once again at the center of controversy after taking to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to share his intention to have a swastika chain designed.
On Thursday, February 27, West posted a rendering of the potential design and solicited jewelers to submit their own versions to an email address associated with his Yeezy brand. "For all jewelers I’m looking for swastika chain designs,” he wrote, "Please submit to swastachain@yeezy.com.”https://x.com/kanyewest/status/1895180246099669350
Ye is looking for jewelers to design a swastika chain for him. pic.twitter.com/ptnKRsAEi4
This latest provocation comes shortly after the shutdown of West's website following public outrage over a t-shirt emblazoned with a swastika sold under his Yeezy line. Despite a brief statement disavowing Nazism, West’s recent actions, including a planned Super Bowl performance where he claims he will wear the controversial shirt, continue to fuel debates and concerns.
The controversy deepened with West's vocal support for the Nazi symbol, which he defended as misunderstood, referencing its historical and cultural significance outside of Nazism. “When I use a swastika I render myself unusable to users,” West explained on X, “The swastika to shows n-ggas that we don’t have to be afraid of white people.”
Responses to West's plans have been swift and critical, with figures across the entertainment and social spheres condemning the move. The incident raises significant questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the responsibilities of public figures in shaping cultural discourse.