University of Birmingham students left ‘sickened’ by Kanye West’s antisemitic tirades

University 0f Birmingham students have been left feeling “sickened” following Kanye West’s recent antisemitic tirades on X.

This comes as Kanye, also known as Ye, took to the social media site on 7th February, posting statements such as “I am a Nazi” and “I love Hitler”.

He also mocked the Holocaust, adding: “I’m never apologising for my Jewish comments. I can say whatever the fuck I wanna say forever. Where’s my fucking apology for freezing my accounts.”

However, this isn’t the first time Kanye has made such comments. In October 2022, he wrote: “I’m going to commit death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”

via X

Furthermore, a previous Jewish employee of Kanye was reportedly fired and sent a direct message which said “Hail [sic] Hitler”, according to The Guardian.

Kanye’s clothing brand, Yeezy, also posted on its website a t-shirt for sale which was emblazoned with an image of a Swastika, a symbol synonymous with the Nazis. Upon being asked multiple times for an apology, West openly said he wouldn’t provide one, stating he can say what he wants “forever”.

However, following Kanye West’s latest antisemitic outburst on X, Jewish students at the University of Birmingham told The Birmingham Tab they have been left feeling “sick to the stomach” in response to his comments.

They further added that they’re annoyed that his outbursts often get dismissed as him “just being crazy”.

A third year student who wished to stay anonymous said the rapper’s outburst “wasn’t taken seriously and people are just joking about it online”.

Another student, Tom*, claimed that the reaction of the public spoke louder than his words: “It feels alienating and isolating with the lack of reaction from the media towards his offensive comments”.

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However, taking a contrasting view, another student, Kate*, reported their wish to provide further education on how antisemitism “manifests in different forms” with an ultimate goal to educate in response to Kanye’s comments.

They continued: “Antisemitism has seemed to manifest in both overt and covert forms. Of course, Kanye’s unapologetic Nazi rhetoric has demonstrated overt antisemitism but I think a severe lack of advocacy against antisemitism during recent years has demonstrated covert antisemitism, perhaps rooted in the assumption that all Jews are white, rich, privileged and do not need allyship from other groups.

“It was quite disconcerting to see Jewish allyship from public figures on social media only after Kanye’s comments have drawn widespread attention. It is, of course, very easy to criticise Kanye, and rightly so as his rhetoric has also echoed misogynistic and elitist rhetoric.”

A fellow first year student, Isaiah*, also expressed that there should be more education about Judaism, due to stereotypes around money and attitudes: “He associated Judaism with hostility and greed.”

Isaiah* explained to The Birmingham Tab: “I think that there is a general misconception of what Jews are – on one hand so many see us as ‘white and privileged’ while Ye’s tweets highlight that we are this other, not white or black but some greedy and untrustworthy in-between being.

“I am looking for education that equips all people with a basic understanding of what Jews are, and also what we are not. For example the fact that our religion is underpinned by ‘Tikkun Olam’ meaning making the world a better place or that we make up less than 0.2 per cent of the population. Alternatively that we are NOT white, rich and powerful, but rather a diverse ethno-religion.”

Building on this, when asked about what Kanye’s future should look like following these comments, students provided interesting and diverse responses to his antisemitic outbursts.

“He needs to be ostracised from all social media,” was a comment reported by one third year student, which resonated with all other responses given by the students, demanding an immediate removal of all his social media platforms.

Furthermore, one student encouraged a moderation of Kanye’s comment section and his follower base for future comments of the same premise.

The University of Birmingham was criticised by all the students interviewed for not showing enough support or public condemnation.

One second year student, Ben*, said: “I feel isolated with the lack of support shown by the university”. Furthermore, they claimed that while multiple organisations exist to support them, “the university has done nothing to reach out to reassure its Jewish students”.

Ben* continued by saying: “I think that acknowledging that it does take place is needed. Silence is deafening. Even if things are being dealt with behind the scenes, we want to see the actions in front of us. Make a commitment that you care for us, come to our events, communicate with us. Actions speak louder than words.”

“The university is treading on eggshells when it comes to my people,” another student explained, and advocated for further support from the institution over antisemitism in general.

Old Joe at the University of Birmingham

Upon being asked about any change they would like to see occur within the Jewish community and the wider diaspora, the students provided insightful answers.

“I would like the world to recognise that we are not synonymous with greed like hostility,” said Jen*, first year student in response to West, who stated Jewish people steal money. “We share the same humanitarian goals as the rest of society.”

Jen* further explained this notion to The Birmingham Tab: “I think on a very basic level, by learning about Jews. Whether it be by talking to your Jewish friends, by reading about the Holocaust or even just by eating traditional Jewish food. Ye’s tweets dehumanise and simplify Jews. In turn, if you want to help, engage with us and see the life and love that Jews have to offer. Instead of seeing us as insular others.”

“There should be more inclusivity when it comes to discrimination talks of antisemitism and Judaism where it needs to be recognised,” claimed a fellow first year student, Andy*, who believes that inclusivity of Judaism on campus is necessary to diminish stereotypes.

The first year continued to discuss how this could be achieved: “I think a way to achieve this is by educating on campus about the diversity of Judaism, helping to combat hateful assumptions, demonstrating that, now more than ever, advocacy against antisemitism is integral to ensure the safety of Jews on campus, which has certainly been threatened to a higher degree over the past couple of years. All groups of people on campus need to be exposed to a variety of Jewish perspectives and stories, reassuring all students that the vast majority of Jews want to live peaceful lives, devoid of discrimination and hate speech.”

Before ending the discussion, another student spoke out and said: “I often feel unsafe going into my own lectures and have to hide visible parts of my Jewish identity.” They also added that they aim to encourage larger interfaith of Judaism in the wider society, hand in hand with wider a condemnation of antisemitism.

A University of Birmingham spokesperson said: “The University of Birmingham is committed to ensuring the safety of all our community. While we acknowledge that our students and staff may hold a range of opinions, we will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any other form of discrimination.

“We work closely with staff and student bodies to ensure that freedom of speech and academic freedom are supported in a respectful and tolerant environment.

“We have a strong dialogue and relationship with our Jewish Student community, through our Jewish Student Society and Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, and encourage students to report any incidents of alleged harassment to us directly, so that we can investigate and respond appropriately.”

If you have faced antisemitism on campus and wish to speak to someone, you can contact the wellbeing team at the university or you can contact CST.

Kanye West and Yeezy were contacted for comment but did not respond.

*= names have been changed.