Dear Mr. West,
As an avid fan of yours since the early 2000’s when I was just a toddler, I am concerned with your current choices. You, the man who was one of the first to openly criticize homophobia in the black community, who has gone on multiple rants about racism in the fashion industry, who has attacked the American education system for its lack of affordability, who openly criticized President Bush in the most calm display of sheer brass I’ve ever seen. You wrote and have been featured on several anthems for black progressives like All Falls Down and This Way by Dilated Peoples.
So my question to you is: why would you openly support Donald Trump? This is a man who openly stands against everything you’ve lead us to believe that you believe. I like to think of the speech you gave at the Video Music Awards. You said that the three keys to keeping people impoverished were taking away their esteem, their resources, and their role models. And it seems to me that your support of Donald Trump is effectively taking you away as a role model, particularly for me. You stand at the pinnacle of black artistry. Many people look up to you. But you already know this.
I would love to keep you as a role model, but I can’t look up to a man who is willing to overlook blatant racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia, especially from a man who’s spent nearly his entire career fighting to tear down these ideologies.
That being said. My heart and thoughts go out to you and I hope you make a speedy recovery. I wish you nothing but the best, sir.
Godspeed,
Dante D. Joseph
