Ye vs. the world

An intersectional analysis of America’s favorite celebrity (to hate)

Spencer Bispham / Asst. News Editor / The USD Vista

(CW: mental illness/abuse)

If you haven’t heard about the drama between Kanye West, Pete Davidson, and the Kardashians, let me get you up to speed. Recently, West and Kim Kardashian’s nearly seven year relationship came to an end. Their divorce was drawn out for more than a year after Kardashian filed back in early 2021, reportedly because West was being “nonresponsive.” Despite this, she was declared legally single in March of this year. 

Both West and Kardashian were publicly dating other people throughout this process, while West also took to social media in order to inform the public of his frustrations with the divorce. His complaints were that he was not able to see their four children, jabs at Kardashian for her role as a mother, and attacks on her current boyfriend, comedian Pete Davidson, among other things. Reports from TMZ also confirm that West purchased a home right across the street from Kardashian in Hollywood.

Many people, myself included, have been quick to acknowledge that these actions are deeply problematic: West has been harassing Kardashian and Davidson despite their multiple pleas for him to stop. It frustrates me, however, to hear people side against West without acknowledging the complexity of his situation. Not only is he dealing with mental illness and racism, but his personal life is subject to the cult-like microscope under which we place celebrities here in the United States.

Since 2016, West has been open about his life with bipolar disorder, a heavily stigmatized and misunderstood psychological diagnosis. Typically, people with Bipolar I and II fluctuate between manic and depressive episodes, which are periods of extreme euphoria and depression, respectively. This can make people’s behavior seem inconsistent or illogical, when in reality these episodes result from neurodivergent brain chemistry beyond their control. 

In an episode of TED-Ed, psychologist Helen M. Farrell explains the difference between Bipolar I and II; Type I (what West has) typically involves “extreme highs alongside the lows, while Type II involves briefer, less extreme periods of elation interspersed with long periods of depression.”

While the root causes of Bipolar I and II are still unconfirmed, scientists have pinpointed genetics, trauma, or a combination of the two as potential reasons why some people experience these episodes. 

For West, living with this condition has made his life even more complicated.

In an interview with David Letterman in 2019, West shared his emotions surrounding his diagnosis: “…I can just tell you what I’m feeling at the time, and I feel a heightened connection with the universe when I’m ramping up,” West said. “This is like having a sprained brain, like having a sprained ankle. And if someone has a sprained ankle, you’re not gonna push on him more.”

In September 2020, Miyume Mckinley, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist, gave her thoughts on West’s condition in an interview with Glamour magazine.

“There are many pieces of Kanye’s life puzzle that we do not know,” Mckinley said. “However, given that he has openly shared his diagnosis of Bipolar disorder it appears as though he is currently experiencing a severe manic episode. Paranoia, delusions, and lack of awareness (of the mental illness) can be associated with severe manic episodes.”
These symptoms, alongside irritability, high energy, and grandiose thinking, are not an exhaustive list of what people with bipolar disorder experience during mania.

At the same time, they do help us put some of West’s behavior in context. Given the spontaneity of his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 Video Music Awards, his statement to TMZ that “slavery was a choice,” and his breakdown during his 2020 election campaign tour, it certainly seems plausible that bipolar disorder has complicated West’s life.

What makes these incidents stand out is that they exist alongside West’s impressive discography, Yeezy clothing empire, and billionaire status. It is not as if he is unworthy of this success, especially considering  these accomplishments have repeatedly exceeded  expectations for Black men in America.

Mckinley also spoke to this issue during her interview with Glamour.

“Vulnerability and sharing feelings are not prized in Black communities for Black men,” Mckinley said. “Often time the symptoms associated with trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc.) are often normalised as they are so common. Therapy is often viewed as weak, in addition the lack of trusting mental health professionals due to  poor cultural competency often detours black men from seeking treatment.”

Despite our best efforts, we have no way of truly knowing how West is coping with all these issues. He’s previously mentioned that he is not taking medication or going to therapy, which unfortunately perpetuates this narrative that Black men with mental illnesses, like myself, are avoidant of these resources for a variety of reasons. Rather than correct this misconception and offer West an olive branch, the public’s response to his behavior has been full of shame inducing rhetoric.

Back in 2018, Pete Davidson’s monologue on SNL touched on Kanye’s off-air rant on the show that took place one week prior.

“Kanye is a genius, like a musical genius. You know, like Joey Chestnut is a hot dog-eating genius,” Davidson said. “Being mentally ill is not an excuse to act like a [expletive]. I’m quoting my therapist, my mom, and my mailman.”

In the same segment, Davidson also mentioned his own struggles with mental illness as well as his enthusiasm for Kanye’s work. While it was comedic, his words also turned the struggles of a Black man with bipolar disorder into a joke.

I am not saying that West’s accomplishments excuse the harm that he has caused. He needs to be held accountable for his abusive treatment of Kardashian and other women (Amber Rose, Taylor Swift, etc.), featuring accused serial abusers Marilyn Manson and Dababy on DONDA, and harassing Pete Davidson and others. 

What I am advocating for is not a pro or anti-Kanye stance, but rather to shift how we view these issues as a whole. If there were someone in your life who was struggling with bipolar disorder, or any other mental illness for that matter, would you be as critical of their behavior as many are of Kanye? Or would you do your best to support and understand them and their condition? 

I’m not saying that we owe West or any other celebrity that kind of love, but I do think that when we choose to critique or consume their art it is wise to do so with an understanding of how their behavior and identities intersect.