Kanye West’s mother criticized his stunt at his most recent fashion show in Paris. Ahmaud Arbery. When West wore a “White Lives Matter” t-shirt, activists and celebrities expressed their opinions. Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbrey’s mother, told Rolling Stone that West’s actions are what made the slogan popular on social media. Join our weekday newsletter list to receive original analysis, news, and trends in your inbox. Kanye West received criticism from Ahmaud Arbery’s mother for wearing a “White Lives Matter” t-shirt at his fashion show in Paris on Monday. Ahmaud Arbery was a Black guy who was killed by white males while jogging in his Georgia neighborhood in 2020.

Through renowned civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt, Wanda Cooper-Jones provided a statement to Rolling Stone stating that “as a result of his display, ‘White Lives Matter’ started trending in the U.S., which would direct support and legitimize extremist behavior, “much” like the behavior that claimed the life of her son. Wanda and families like hers continue to struggle against that, I said.

This week, videos of West and his models for his YZYSZN9 fashion show appeared online. In the videos, they can be seen wearing a long-sleeved black shirt with the words “White Lives Matter” bolded on the back. According to the Anti-Defamation League, , white supremacist organizations like the Aryan Renaissance Society, based in Texas, employ the racist slogan as a direct reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The statement started popular on social media when far-right commentator Candace Owens posted a picture of herself and the rapper wearing the offensive shirts. This immediately sparked controversy.

Numerous celebrities have criticized West’s conduct, including Jaden Smith who reportedly left the concert as the shirts were displayed.

After West tried to undermine Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, a critic for Vogue who called the shirts “pure violence” and “hugely reckless,” model Gigi Hadid called him out.

Karefa-clothing Johnson’s was mocked in response by West, who claimed she wasn’t a “fashion person.”

On Tuesday, October 3, 2022 West responded to the criticism on his Instagram story, professing to stand by his behavior. Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) “BLACK LIVES MATTER WAS A SCAM, AS EVERYONE KNOWS. IT IS NOW OVER. WE WELCOME YOU.”

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Cooper-Jones voiced her dismay with West’s remarks.

According to the source, the statement continued, “This parody of the Black Lives Matter movement and his current dismissal of the movement as some sort of hoax flies straight in the face of what he’s said.”

She and the families are confused by the fact that they received his backing in private but suffered a setback in public.

In 2020, the “Off the Grid” rapper donated $2 million to the families impacted by police brutality , which featured George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Arbery, released their album amidst the height of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the nation.