Kanye The Anti-Semitic?

“Man, let me tell you about George Bush and oil money and Obama and no money,” said Kanye in an interview with Power 105. “People want to say Obama can’t make these moves or he’s not executing. That’s because he ain’t got those connections. Black people don’t have the same level of connections as Jewish people. Black people don’t have the same connection as oil people.”




The Jewish community is upset about these remarks made by Kanye West. Some critics suggest that Kanye is being anti Semitic.


Abraham H. Foxman, the ADL National Director then responded to Kanye’s opinion with some thoughts of his own. “If the comments are true as reported, this is classic anti-Semitism,”Said Foxman.”There it goes again, the age-old canard that Jews are all-powerful and control the levers of power in government. As a celebrity with a wide following, Kanye West should know better. We hope that he will take responsibility for his words, understand why they are so offensive, and apologize to those he has offended.”





What does Antisemitic mean? Antisemitism is defined as  a prejudice, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage.



Toni's Thoughts: In my personal opinion there was nothing offensive about  what Kanye said I feel as though it was exaggerated and taken out of context by the media. I also understand that not all Jewish people are rich and powerful but let's examine some facts. Also as  a celebrity with a wide following Kanye is very intelligent man despite what most people think and actually want to give him credit for. Don't get me wrong he has moments where has been out of line but this is not one of those times.


Something to Think About: Since their mass immigration to the United States Jews have become the richest religious group in America and Jews make up only 2% of the population. Although 25% of 400 are the wealthiest Americans. According to the online Jewish Encyclopedia says 5.6 millions Jews reside in America not including  half of a million Israelis which is about 1.8 of the population. Most of them reside in rich cities such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Boston just to name a few. A study of the Pew Forum institute from 2008 found that Jews are the richest religious group in the US: Forty-six of Jews earn more than $100,000 a year, compared to 19% among all Americans. Another Gallup poll conducted in 2013  found that 70% of American Jews enjoy "a high standard of living" compared to 60% of the population and more than any other religious group.


More than 100 of the 400 billionaires on Forbes' list of the wealthiest people in America are Jews. Six of the 20 leading venture capital funds in the US belong to Jews, according to Forbes.Jews are well represented in Wall Street, Silicon Valley, the US Congress and Administration, Hollywood, TV networks and the American press – way beyond their percentage in the population.


Those are the facts check the library and other tools of research. With that being said Kanye's idea is not too far fetched because with financial power a group of people or person can obtain social power which leads to political power. Another thing to be said about the Jewish community is they are hard working people that understand the importance of community and uplifting their community while preserving history and culture respectively.