Social Media Awareness: A Trigger or Truth for Kanye West?
In recent months, social media has played a significant role in influencing my mental well-being. It has served as both a catalyst and a platform for highlighting crucial issues that demand our attention. Among these issues, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine has been a focal point, with social media becoming the conduit for voices that were previously unheard. Despite the political landscape showing limited progress, with no ceasefire in sight, the impact of this awareness has been substantial, leading to boycotts of prominent brands like Zara.
One prominent aspect has been social media’s power in shedding light on the harsh realities faced by Palestinians in their homeland. This exposure to unfiltered truths has been both enlightening and challenging, particularly for someone like me dealing with bipolar disorder. It has become apparent that excessive exposure to the unlawful actions of countries like Israel can trigger psychological distress.
Looking back to 2009, I experienced my first psychotic episode during a study trip to Geneva, where I visited prestigious organizations such as WHO, Red Cross, and the United Nations. Just a week later, I found myself in Melbourne, Australia, ready to embark on my first international law internship—or so I believed.
Within a week, I went missing for 48 hours and was subsequently arrested for a break-in. I awoke in the closed psychiatric ward of Royal Melbourne Hospital, restrained to a bed. The initial days remain hazy due to the potent medications administered to prevent harm to myself and others. Vivid memories include hearing voices urging self-harm and experiencing hallucinations.
Medical professionals diagnosed me with bipolar disorder, characterized by alternating manic and depressive episodes. After enduring numerous challenges and two relapses, I have learned to manage my mental health. However, I’m acutely aware of the persistent stigma surrounding mental health, exemplified by the unsympathetic response to Kanye West’s struggles during the summer of 2020. Instead of empathy, hurtful comments prevailed.
I firmly believe in the importance of kindness and understanding toward individuals facing mental health challenges. In 2020, I delivered a speech at TedxAmsterdam Women’s Talent Night, discussing Kanye West’s struggles and commencing my speech with a dance to his song “Stronger.” I empathized with him, sensing that he had yet to fully grasp how to navigate his bipolar condition, despite his candidness about it on the David Letterman show.
It’s worth considering that some of Kanye’s social media posts may have occurred during manic states, resulting in incoherent or erratic content. His recent enigmatic Instagram post on Christmas Eve, following an extended absence, was an apology in Hebrew to the Jewish community for previous antisemitic remarks.
This post followed a series of controversial statements against Jewish people, ultimately leading to the termination of his Adidas partnership and his removal from the billionaire ranks. Kanye, known for his indefatigable support for Palestine, seldom expresses regret for voicing his opinions. Hence, this apology marked a significant deviation from his usual style, suggesting a potential change in mindset.
The apology emerged ten days after his most recent high-profile outburst against Jewish individuals. In this post, he attributed his problematic claims about Jews over the past two years to ‘unplanned outbursts.’ Kanye has consistently advocated for Palestine and rarely regrets voicing his opinions, often using his music to make statements on various subjects through his lyrics.
As we navigate the complex relationship between mental health, awareness, and the digital sphere, it’s essential to recognize the dual nature of social media—a powerful tool for raising awareness and a potential trigger for individuals and public figures alike. The ever-evolving landscape of social media underscores the necessity for empathy and understanding, both online and offline, as we consider its profound influence on individuals like Kanye West.
