Kanye West faces backlash over 'White Lives Matter ' t-shirt

Kanye rocked the t-shirt during a staged surprise Yeezy fashion show at Paris Fashion Week

• According to Anti-Defamation League (ADL), “White Lives Matter” is a “white supremacist phrase that originated in early 2015 as a racist response to the Black Lives Matter movement”

• The phrase has also been used by supporters of former president Donald Trump

Kanye West faces backlash over white lives matter t-shirt
Image: Courtesy

American rapper/ fashion icon Kanye West has is currently facing online blacklash and critisicm after wearing a shirt emblazoned with “White Lives Matter” during his YZY SZN 9 presentation in Paris.

The 45-year-old rapper yesterday evening staged a surprise Yeezy fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.

But before the live-streamed show began, the father of four took to the stage in an all black outfit to give a speech.

What however caught the attention of people is the long-sleeved black shirt which the entrepreneur was rocking.

Not only did it feature an image of the Pope on the front but had the words " White Lives Matter," in bold white at the back.

As part of his speech, Kanye went ahead to let people know that he was above everything and unmanageable. 

“I am Ye, and everyone here knows that I am the leader. You can’t manage me.” Said the Yeezy CEO.

The showcase of West’s season nine collection also saw models walk the runway in white versions of the “White Lives Matter” shirt.

Conservative Black pundit, Candace Owens was also present at the event, and was photographed smiling as she posed next to Kanye in a matching shirt but in white with bold black writings.

According to Anti-Defamation League (ADL), “White Lives Matter” is a “white supremacist phrase that originated in early 2015 as a racist response to the Black Lives Matter movement”.

The phrase has also been used by supporters of former president Donald Trump.

Kanye did not openly offer any explanation to his controversial fashion sense.

He however shared a Instagram Story which was a statement from Balenciaga’s creative director, Denma, who wrote in part, “one needs to have courage and persistence to truly assume their identity and who they really are.

Every day becomes a battlefield to defend this unique identity.”

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