This week's Soldier Field concerts by the rap star and Chicago native born Kanye West follow years of controversial comments about Jewish people, and advocates for the Jewish community say they've taken their concerns directly to managers at the stadium.
"I don't ... have any interest in choosing what speech gets spoken," Rebecca Weininger from the Anti-Defamation League told WBBM Newsradio in advance of concerts scheduled for Thursday and Friday by the rapper and producer now known as Ye.
But she noted that it can be hard for fans and others to enjoy "Gold Digger," Flashing Lights" and other songs while considering his years of statements questioning the Holocaust and repeating tropes about Jewish people controlling money and media. And while she said she does not know if his high-profile apology in The Wall Street Journal back in January was sincere, it matters little to people who still feel the effect of his words.
"The Jewish community is still impacted by this performer, who has a history of practicing very virulent anti-Semitism," she said."The impact on the Jewish community needs to be recognized."
She added that managers at Soldier Field appear to recognize that impact: "We've been in contact with them for a couple of weeks. They're going to enforce a zero-tolerance policy at the performances, not for just hate that the artist may practice, but for any ticket holder in attendance those nights."
In addition, the ADL has been working to put together a "best practices" guide which will include training venue workers on anti-Semitic symbols, statements and other totems. Those materials will be available to workers at both of Ye's shows.
We've asked the Chicago Park District, which controls Soldier Field, for an interview about their preparations for the Ye concerts.
Advocates: Soldier Field to train concert staff; rapper's past comments cited
Advocates: Soldier Field to train concert staff; rapper's past comments cited
