1st Place, Bylined Opinion Article
2022-23, Division 3, News Writing
By Avery Bock
Wind-Up
St. Joseph HS
Ye, formally known as Kanye West, is one of the most well-known artists in today’s music industry, having over 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Until October 25, 2022, Ye also collaborated with the brand Adidas to create his shoes: Yeezy. There’s no doubt that Ye is exceptionally successful in both the entertainment and entrepreneurship industries, but should we support a man who constantly craves controversy?
Ye has been in far too many controversies throughout his career. One incident in 2009 is still talked about today. During the 2009 VMAS, Ye unexpectedly went onstage during fellow singer Taylor Swift’s Acceptance speech and claimed, “Beyonce had one of the best music videos of all time.” Despite ruining this young singer’s moment with his personal opinion, fans still praised him even after the 30-second booing wore off. While his debatable statements and tweets have been left off as humorous, his most recent tweets have finally given him the backlash he deserves.
On October 9, 2022, Ye’s Twitter account got suspended after he made multiple anti Semitic tweets. Following this, Adidas dropped its collaboration with him and took all Yeezys off the shelves. While businesses are making the right decisions by dropping him, fans of him somehow still support his unreasonable actions. Of course, many fans of celebreties separate the artist from the art; I question is that okay in this situation?
“I still listen to some of his music, but I don’t support him as a person,” Bryce Vujtech, Nathan Katowhich, and Logan Freeman, 10, said. “He’s cool, but he’s being an idiot,” Lo- gan added.
“This is one of those things where the art cannot be separated from the artist,” Kale Silcox, 9, said.
Of the 46 surveyed students that listen to Ye, nearly half still support him. Outside of SJHS, multiple TikToks are being made defending his actions, including one stating, “We can’t cancel Kanye because he made Graduation.” I understand wanting to continue listening to his music, but how is it okay to enable his actions but cancel others for the slightest mistake?
“I love Kanye, but I don’t know if I can defend him this time,” Aidan Johnson, 10, said.
One may argue that Ye’s attitude results from his bipolar disorder. However, while mental illness is a severe issue, there are medications Ye could take but is denying.
“I cannot be on meds and make ‘Watch The Throne’ level or ‘Dark Fantasy’ level music. You don’t make ‘Runaway’ on medication,” Ye said in a tweet published by Yeezy Mogul.
Ye’s use of medication may not cure him of bipolar disorder, but it may improve some of his detrimental actions and even regulate his emotions.
Although Ye has made influential music for our gen- eration, his actions have hurt many groups and individuals. Ye’s acts of hate have gone too far, yet many people find humor in this. Suppose any other celebrity went as far as Kanye did. In that case, inevitable backlash would be displayed, as it should be. Many stars of our generation struggle with mental illnesses and don’t act like or get the reaction he does. Unfortunately, listeners of Ye fail to see the harm in his statements and actions and allow him to continue spreading hate. Yes, Ye has his struggles, but this doesn’t mean he can get away with his impulsive and irra- tional actions.
NW-07. Bylined Opinion Article
Article of personal opinion carrying the byline of the writer(s) presented in a style consistent with modern opinion column standards. The article should comment on a news or feature subject of interest (including sports) and/or concern to the readers, or may express dissent from the majority opinion expressed in editorials. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Topic relevant to interests and/or welfare of school or students
- Wins reader interest with a compelling lead that urges action
- Presents evidence/interpretation in logical sequence
- States issue; uses effective examples, facts and comparisons to clarify
- Deals with specific issue; avoids preaching, rhetoric and cliches
- Shows sufficient thought and knowledge of subject, developed with personal style
- Proposes solution where appropriate
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar