In the wake of Kanye’s public breakdown, mental illness is trending on social and mainstream media. Some make jokes about Kanye being “crazy” while others wonder whether it’s all a Machiavellian insurance scheme. (Kanye and other superstar artists maintain insurance to cover them if they are sick and unable to work at their normal and customary occupation. TMZ reports Kanye could recover as much as $30 million from his insurer.) Other than Kanye’s true fans, there seems to be a lack of compassion for a man clearly battling health issues.
I listened to tracks off “The Life of Pablo” album where Kanye confesses: “I’ve been outta my mind a long time.” Combined with recent onstage meltdown at his concerts and prior behavior like walking onstage during the 2009 MTV Award Show and telling Taylor Swift she did not deserve her award, it was no surprise that Kanye had to be hospitalized. If he was suffering from heart disease or a stroke, sympathy would abound, but bi-polar, depression, psychosis, anxiety are taboo.
Kanye connects with the minds and hearts of millions of people all around the world through his music. They are fanatic about everything Kanye; his shoes, clothes, family… Others gloat. One tweet said: “I may not have Kanye’s money or fame, but I’m normal.”There is no upside to putting mentally ill people down. Superiority feels good, like a cold beer on a hot day, but compassion feels better.
One Love…
Aria
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