During Super Bowl LIX, Kanye West, now known as Ye, aired a 30-second commercial in select local markets. These markets included Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. West filmed the ad on an iPhone. It featured West in a dentist’s chair discussing his new dental work and directing viewers to his Yeezy merchandise website.
Launch of Swastika-Adorned Merchandise
Upon visiting the promoted website, users found a single item for sale. The white T-shirt featured a black swastika and was priced at $20. It was labeled “HH-01,” which the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) identified as code for “Heil Hitler.” Various communities and organizations immediately condemned this move, sparking widespread backlash.
Public and Celebrity Reactions
The release of the swastika T-shirt prompted widespread outrage. Actress Isla Fisher took to Instagram, urging her followers to unfollow West and condemning his actions. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized West and highlighted the severity of his antisemitic behavior.
Platform Responses and Website Shutdown
In response to the controversy, Shopify, the platform hosting West’s merchandise site, removed the store. The company cited violations of its terms of service. A Shopify spokesperson stated, “This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms. So we removed them from Shopify.”
Ongoing Backlash and Consequences
The incident has intensified discussions about the responsibilities of public figures and platforms in preventing the spread of hate symbols and messages. Advocacy groups continue to call for accountability and action against such displays of antisemitism.
The fallout from Kanye West’s Super Bowl ad and the subsequent release of swastika-adorned merchandise has sparked global outrage, leading to swift action from platforms like Shopify. As public figures, advocacy groups, and businesses distance themselves from West, the controversy raises larger questions about the responsibility of artists, corporations, and consumers in addressing hate speech.
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