Kanye West has issued a formal apology through a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal, addressing his past behavior and acknowledging his mental health struggles.
In the ad, Ye recounts a car accident from 25 years ago that resulted in a broken jaw and an injury to the frontal lobe of his brain, suggesting this played a role in his later mental health issues, including his bipolar diagnosis.
He now believes he improperly denied his bipolar disorder, explaining that it features a defense mechanism of denial that can lead to a distorted perception of reality during manic episodes.
Ye admits to losing touch with reality and expresses deep regret over actions that caused suffering to those close to him, acknowledging that he treated some of them poorly during these periods.
He said, “To the black community – which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.”
He specifically addresses the impact of his behavior on various communities, including the Jewish community.
He wrote, “In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold T-shirts bearing it. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
He added, “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness.”
