The Black Lives Matter movement has slammed Kanye West and Candace Owens for spreading ‘toxic confusion’ with their ‘White Lives Matter’ tees.
The Black Lives Matter movement has slammed Kanye West and Candace Owens for their tone-deaf dismissal of the Black community’s struggles by sporting the slogan ‘White Lives Matter’ on their tees and in West’s latest collection. The organization also called out West for calling BLM a ‘scam’ and claiming he ended it.
Kanye West claims that that the Black Lives Matter movement is a “scam” in a new Instagram story.
“EVERYONE KNOWS THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER WAS A SCAM NOW IT’S OVER YOU’RE WELCOME.” pic.twitter.com/vqnOdM1G6F
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 4, 2022
In a statement released to TMZ, the organization called out West and Owens for their actions, claiming that they could to irreparable damage to the progress the movement has made throughout the years.
Calling the ‘stunt’ a ‘clear affront to Black Lives Matter,’ the organization said: “While some may see Kanye and Candace’s stunt as a distraction, we recognise that it harms thousands of families fighting for justice for their loved ones killed by state sanctioned violence.”
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They continued: “It can spread toxic confusion and be used to legitimise violent assaults on Black people. Battling misinformation while continuing to do the hard that liberation requires is nothing new for us.”
The statement went on to allege that West and Owens’ acute disregard for the systemic racism faced by Black people could undo the organisation’s efforts.
“Kanye West and Candace Owens sent a performative dog whistle to millions. Kanye knows very well that ‘white lives’ have never been targeted for oppression.” they said.
They added: “Black folks, in contrast, are at the bottom of virtually every economic, social, and political measure because of centuries of individual and institutional racism. Building a world of Black freedom means upending systems that harm and building new systems of care. Ultimately this benefits everyone. When Black people get free, everybody gets free.”
Despite the mounting criticism, West has yet to respond.
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