Crossing the line? Kanye West defies critics and wears controversial Confederate Flag jacket to boxing class
By Mike Larkin
|
He has never been afraid to put his reputation on the line by indulging in controversial antics.
But many will be thinking Kanye West has gone too far after he brashly ignored critics and wore a jacket with a Confederate Flag patch in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The Georgia born singer was spotted in the garment after he worked up a sweat in a private boxing lesson.
Defiant: Kanye West wore a jacket bearing the Confederate Flag as he left boxing class in Los Angeles on Saturday
Southern Crossing the line: The rapper has been criticised for promoting what many see as a racist symbol
The green jacket is part of a controversial fashion line he has created which he claims is an attempt to reclaim the Southern Cross from racists.
Kanye, whose father Ray was a Black Panther, has emblazoned his tour merchandise with the flag design, which has been used by extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan as an emblem.
Explaining his rationale, he said: 'React how you want. Any energy you got is good energy. You know the confederate flag represented slavery in a way -- that's my abstract take on what I know about it.
'So I made the song New Slaves. So I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It's my flag now. Now what are you going to do?'
The flag is featured on T-shirts and bags at his new Yeezus tour pop-up shop next door to fiancee Kim Kardashian's clothing boutique in Los Angeles.
Forget the fashion: Just how did Kanye cope with wearing three layers while walking around in Los Angeles?
Boy in the hood: Kanye tried to keep a low profile by wearing his top's cowl over his head
And off he goes: The jolly hip hop star was no doubt about to embark on yet another fun-filled day with Kim
His most controversial move yet? Kanye West has emblazoned his Yeezus tour merchandise with the flag
The merchandise went on sale at the temporary shop on Melrose Avenue, which he chose to locate right next door to Kim's Dash boutique.
One of the T-shirts features a skull with the flag as the background and the words 'I ain't comin' down,' while another features a skeletal grim reaper wearing the flag as a cloak and carrying a scythe.
Other shirts feature skeletons in various positions, including one kneeling and praying with the words 'Yeezus wants you.' Also on display were shoulder bags bearing the flag.
Don't fear the reaper: A skeleton wears the confederate flag in a wall mural, the same image that is also featured on some of his T-shirts
God imagery: Other shirts feature skeletons in various repose, including one kneeling and praying with the words 'Yeezus wants you'
Still a southern man at heart: The confederate flag is displayed on the wall of his pop-up store
Kanye's sixth album Yeezus confronts racism head-on, and the items, which were unveiled on the first leg of his tour in Seattle earlier this month, may be a nod to songs such as Black Skinhead and New Slaves.
Kanye, 36, finally spoke out Monday on why he chose to decorate his merchandise with the symbol, which for many is a painful reminder of slavery (although many view it
as a symbol of southern pride, and it is still displayed in many areas
of the American South).
Kanye is not the only rapper to make reference to the flag in his music, with singers Ludacris, Andre 3000 and Pastor Troy all incorporating the symbol into their album covers or dress.
His 'n Hers: Kanye opened his pop-up store right next to Kim's DASH boutique on Melrose Avenue
Many disagree with Kanye's use of the flag, including Reverend Al Sharpton, who recently compared the symbol to the swastika.
He said: 'Often times, people like to falsely believe that the Confederate flag is somehow not offensive
'As Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post highlighted in his recent piece, it's akin to placing a swastika somewhere.
'The Confederate flag symbolises dehumanisation, injustice and pain. It is a stark reminder of an era in our history that was defined by the abhorrent practice of slavery.
'And it is representative of a mentality that looked upon Blacks as inferiors who needed to remain in the shackles of subservience.'
Making his point: Kanye displayed a cross above baseball caps with Yeezus written on them
- Chicken outsmarts young Doberman Pinscher
- CCTV: Moment 'distracted' trucker kills man in police car...
- From tears to laughter for baby as her mother sings
- Emotional moment passengers learn fallen soldier is on board
- WATCH: Moment terrified LAX passengers run for their lives
- Cute little girl is unimpressed by surprise trip to...
- First Ariel Castro kidnapped victim speaks out on Dr. Phil
- Milwaukee high speed chase ends in dramatic crash
- Moment huge FIREBALL travels down power lines
- SeaWorld Killer Whale dragged trainer under water and held...
- Flock of FIFTY DUCKS waddle into New York store
- Michelle Knight sings tribute to son taken away before her...
- Ebay's sick trade in Holocaust souvenirs: Outrage over...
- Pictured for the first time in 25 years: The reclusive widow...
- Soldier serving abroad watches in horror as his pregnant...
- Madeleine McCann suspect who died in freak tractor accident...
- 'I was part of a cult that believed you can live without...
- Mom who allowed her seven-year old son to dress up like a...
- Artist arrested for kidnapping eight-year-old from her...
- EXCLUSIVE: They're multiplying! THIRD mystery Google barge...
- Welcome to The Bronx Riviera: Photographs shine spotlight on...
- Kennedys fought over where bodies would be buried after JFK...
- Pregnant woman stabbed while her horrified husband watched...
- 'No one has changed me like Michelle Knight': Dr. Phil says...