- Bob Marley's granddaughter criticised for modelling 'White Lives Matter' slogan for Kanye West
- Jaden Smith abandons Kanye's fashion show in protest of his 'White Lives Matter' shirt
Kanye West is not apologizing for his contentious "White Lives Matter" clothing during Paris Fashion Week in France, despite vehement criticism from black celebrities, including a walkout from Jaden Smith.
In a recent Instagram story on Tuesday, the 45-year-old musician stepped up his criticism of Black Lives Matter.
He proclaimed, perhaps alluding to the group's several multimillion-dollar scandals, "Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam. Now it's over. You're welcome."
The Chicago-born rapper was addressing the uproar that erupted after he appeared at a surprise Yeezy fashion show while sporting a T-shirt that read "White Lives Matter."
The show featured his Season 9 clothing line. The phrase, which was made by white supremacists in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, was worn by a number of models, including Lauryn Hill's 23-year-old daughter Selah Marley. The Anti-Defamation League later classified it as a "hate slogan."
Kanye facing harsh criticism for his actions
It goes without saying that the offensive fashion statement generated a flurry of criticism from celebrities of color, including Marc Lamont Hill, a professor at Temple University, and Jaden Smith, the son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Jaden tweeted "I Had To Dip Lol" after leaving Kanye West's fashion show in protest. In a series of subsequent tweets, he continued to criticize: "True Leaders Lead. I Don't Care Who's It Is If I Don't Feel The Message I'm Out. Black Lives Matter. We Demand A More Progressive Future."
"Kanye West decision to wear a 'White Lives Matter' shirt is disgusting, dangerous and irresponsible," Marc Lamont Hill tweeted. "Some of y'all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why."
In response to the outrage, West intensified his BLM-hating behavior. The rapper made the aforementioned claim in addition to posing for a picture with conservative commentator Candace Owens while sporting matching "WLM" shirts that also had the Pope's visage on the front.
Both celebrities have been vocal in their condemnation of Black Lives Matter, which has come under fire amid allegations that its leaders embezzled funds from the group to support extravagant lives. Shalomyah Bowers, the leader of BLM, was charged last month with "siphoning" more than $10 million in donations from contributors to fund his consultancy firm.
Following that, a statement from Black Lives Matter denied any misconduct. "BLMGNF has created a path of responsibility under Shalomyah Bowers' leadership and the work of Bowers Consulting," the statement said. The bogus lawsuit filed by Melina Abdullah and BLM Grassroots asserts the exact opposite.