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Google PlayThe artist formerly known as Kanye West has addressed the criticism surrounding the “White Lives Matter” t-shirt design included in the YZY SZY 9 presentation in Paris on Monday.
In an update to his Instagram Stories, Ye called Black Lives Matter a “scam,” as seen below.
“Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam,” Ye wrote. “Now its over. You’re welcome.”
![](data:image/svg xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 135 76"></svg>” alt=”Ye on Instagram talking about BLM” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async” height=”480″ width=”640″/></picture></div><figcaption>Image via Ye on Instagram</figcaption></figure>
<p>In additional IG updates on Tuesday, Ye asked to “talk about more important things” including, in his words, “how Bernard Arnault killed my best friend.” (Arnault is the CEO of LVMH).</p>
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![](data:image/svg xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 135 76"></svg>” alt=”Ye is seen posting on the IG platform” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async” height=”480″ width=”640″/></picture></div><figcaption>Image via Ye on Instagram</figcaption></figure>
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![](data:image/svg xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 135 76"></svg>” alt=”Ye is seen on Instagram” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async” height=”480″ width=”640″/></picture></div><figcaption>Image via Ye on Instagram</figcaption></figure>
<p>The “White Lives Matter” design first appeared on Ye himself as he addressed attendees at the YZY show on Monday. As the show progressed, several models were also seen wearing the shirt, the front of which features an image of Pope John Paul II. </p>
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Per the Anti-Defamation League, “White Lives Matter” originated in 2015 as a “racist response to the Black Lives Matter movement,” which itself was spurred by ongoing instances of police brutality. The movement and the intention behind the BLM phrase stand on their own apart from groups and organizations carrying the name, a fact repeatedly noted among coverage of recent allegations centered on the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
The Southern Poverty Law Center further notes that WLM can also more specifically be used to refer to the “Neo-Nazi group” responsible for rallies and similar events in recent years. While Ye didn’t mention the design in comments delivered amid Monday’s YZY SZN 9 show, he did pose for a photo with conservative personality Candace Owens.
This story is being updated.
