Kanye West Issues Letter Of Apology For Antisemitic Remarks

Disgraced rapper Kanye West has issued a public apology for antisemitic remarks, choosing the Wall Street Journal as his platform. His public discrimination toward the Jewish people sparked widespread backlash from celebrities and industry leaders who publicly called him out for his hate speech.

In the lengthy apology letter, West sought forgiveness for his transgressions from those he hurt and asked for their "patience and understanding."

In Monday's print edition of the Wall Street Journal, West penned an open letter addressed to those he hurt for the numerous antisemitic remarks he made in the past years.

The rapper, who legally changed his name to "Ye" in 2021, began the apology by discussing an accident he was in more than two decades ago, wherein he suffered brain trauma. In addition, West opened up about dealing with bipolar disorder.

"I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst," West wrote, adding, "Looking back, I became detached from my true self."

The accident West referred to in his apology occurred in 2002, just after he left a recording session in California at about 3 a.m. He fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed his car.

He sustained nasal fractures and a broken jaw, which had to be wired shut for several weeks. The life-changing experience became the inspiration for his 2004 hit song, "Through the Wire," that he reportedly recorded while he was still recuperating and had wires in his jaw, per The Mending Playbook.

West wrote in WSJ that he also sustained a brain injury from the accident that wasn't diagnosed until 2023. "The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed," he penned.

The "Heartless" rapper also explained his bipolar disorder, which was diagnosed in 2016 after his stay in the hospital for a psychiatric emergency. In 2018, West discussed his mental health in an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Kimmel shared his theory about West, saying that he thinks the rapper's bipolar disorder makes him "brilliant" and that he embraces it. "It's not 'I hate being bipolar, it's awesome.' It's actually, it drives more of how you really feel. It doesn't do an opposite thing," he answered.

In his apology, West described what it felt like living with bipolar disorder, writing, "The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don't need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, unstoppable."

West noted that in his "fractured state," he moved toward "the most destructive symbol," the swastika. He claimed he has certain moments that he can't remember, adding that his "poor judgment and reckless behavior" was like an "out-of-body experience."

He then went on to apologize, writing, "I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."

He also specifically mentioned the black community, apologizing for letting them down.

West discussed the ups and downs he experienced in recent years, noting that he hit "rock bottom" months ago, which prompted his wife, Bianca Censori, to urge him to seek professional help.

Furthermore, he "found comfort" in Reddit, explaining that scouring the forums and reading about other people's experiences with bipolar disorder made him feel like he wasn't alone.

Thousands of users shared their reaction on social media soon after West's apology letter was published. While some were forgiving, others were skeptical.

One user wrote, "Those who suffer from this illness should always be given grace," commending the rapper for taking accountability for his mistakes. Another user wrote, "Glad he's getting help."

Meanwhile, others are speculating that the rapper's apology will be followed by an album release. "I'll tread lightly with this to see how he acts. Ye did some messed up stuff," one wrote. Another commented, "album coming followed by a legendary crashout."

West concluded his apology letter by saying, "I'm not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home."