Ari Emanuel is encouraging companies that partner with Kanye “Ye” West to end their involvement with him following the rapper’s recent anti-Semitic comments.
In an opinion piece for the Financial times Published online on Wednesday, Endeavor’s CEO wrote that West’s business partners, including companies that profit from his music — such as Apple, Spotify, Adidas and his tour partners — should stop working with the star. Emanuel also said Parler’s parent company, which on Monday announced West’s planned acquisition of the right-wing social media platform, should refuse to sell it to him.
“West is not just any person – he is a pop culture icon with millions of fans around the world,” wrote Emanuel. “And among them are young people whose opinions are still being formed. That is why we all need to speak out. Hate and anti-Semitism should have no place in our society, no matter how much money is at stake.”
Emanuel’s essay referred to a 2006 piece he wrote for HuffPost in which he said entertainment companies should stop working with Mel Gibson after the anti-Semitic comments he made that year during an arrest for drink-driving. In his new op-ed, Emanuel explained that he has since recommended Gibson for roles after the actor’s public apology and “commitment to understanding the ramifications of his actions,” and that he would be open to helping West do the same. to do.
“We are all capable of learning and evolving, and if West wants to be educated on the history and consequences of anti-Semitism and the conspiracy theories he’s spewing, if he wants to contact religious leaders — including rabbis, Muslim leaders, Christian leaders – I’d love to help,” the mogul wrote.
Until that happens, Emanuel encouraged business leaders to speak out, praising his clients, LeBron James and Maverick Carter, for not having conducted an interview with West that was taped for talk series. The store. Carter stated last week that the interview would be dropped due to West’s use of hate speech.
“Those who continue to do business with West are giving his misguided hatred an audience,” Emanuel added. “There should be no tolerance anywhere for West’s anti-Semitism. This is a time in history when the stakes are high and openness about and living our values is essential. Silence and passivity are not an option.”
