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“I see him differently than back then,” John Legend talk about Kanye “Ye” West in the November 3 episode of New York Magazine audio files On With Kara Swisher (h/t Tonight’s reception). John, 43 years old, told the host Kira Swisher that he “sees no hint of [Ye’s] harmful behavior” goes back to when their friendship began, referring to the anti-black and anti-black petitions Ye, 45, have continued to post over the past weeks. “But, you know, I think life happens to man, and I think his mother’s death [Donda West in 2007] John said. “I don’t want to play the couch psychologist, but he’s definitely changed, and a lot of us who’ve known him for years are really interested in that.”
When asked if he was trying to help Ye or convince him to seek treatment, John revealed that he and Ye don’t talk to each other anymore. “I know the people in his life [trying to help him], but we lost contact,” said crooner. “We haven’t been friends for a while and so I don’t personally do anything, but I know people and a lot of people are interested in him.”
Legend also says that forgiving Ye is important, but it won’t come if he has to face the consequences of his actions. “I think there’s always a place for forgiveness,” Legend said. “I believe that the person being forgiven needs to be forgiven, you know? Like it’s better for you, the person they feel like they’ve been harmed, can forgive. Because if you can’t do that, it’s a burden on your life. And so I believe in forgiveness in general. That’s not to say people shouldn’t face consequences for what they do wrong. But I also believe in forgiveness.”
In August, John said about his broken friendship with Ye. “I honestly think because we’re public disagree about his candidacy for office, his support [Donald] Trump,” Legend said on CNN’s Ax files audio file. “I think maintaining our friendship sincerely has become too much for us. He was so sad because of me not support his running for the President of the United States. He wasn’t happy about it, and we haven’t really been close since.”
Ye has returned to Instagram, only to be suspended for 30 days after reportedly posting a screenshot of a conversation between him and (allegedly) Summoning Order Russell. The Def Jam co-founder is said to have told Ye to “leave this war” and “rebuild your biz” since Ye lost his billionaire status after Adidas and other brands dumped him following those hateful comments. Ye is said to have posted a disparaging statement about “Jewish business people,” which led to his ban, according to NBC News.
In me On With Kara Swisher In appearance, John Legend also talks about the dangers when people with broad-reaching backgrounds engage in this kind of anti-black/anti-black rhetoric. “I think we need to be clear about how insidious and bad anti-Semitism is and has been around for centuries,” he said. “How it caused millions upon millions of deaths. It appeared in societies all over the world, and it made life very difficult for Jews all over the world for a long time. And it’s not some new discovery. It’s not an innovation in hate. “
“So when people who claim to be free thinkers or innovators or creators only end up returning to this centuries-old meme is to use the same stereotypes and gimmicks to vilify people. Judaism and inciting harm against Jews – this is an old but very dangerous tactic. that has caused a lot of harm and a lot of deaths to people. “
