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Rapper Kanye West, who is no stranger to controversy, has succeeded in grabbing headlines once again. This time, he called for the abolishment of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
The 13th Amendment, which banned slavery, still has some controversial wording which essentially allows for slavery to continue in the form of a massive prison workforce. Recently the documentary 13th, airing on Netflix, brought the huge problem of for profit prisons and mass incarceration to national attention.
West took to Twitter, captioning a photo while wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, and riding what appears to be a private jet, with:
This represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with love.
Twitter immediately pointed out that to abolish the 13th Amendment would once again make slavery legal.
waiting and waiting and waiting for the punchline after ye says we need to abolish the 13th amendment https://t.co/jbTTCEv2gF— jason c. (@jason c.) 1538341011.0
I've been staring at my computer screen for 5 minutes literally dumbstruck, trying to reread that Kanye West tweet.… https://t.co/ZY2pDemZQ1— Jesse Cox (@Jesse Cox) 1538338825.0
West was not saying he wished to reinstate slavery. It was a misuse of the word "abolish." He later clarified by tweeting:
Not abolish but. let's amend the 13th amendment.
not abolish but. let’s amend the 13th amendment We apply everyone’s opinions to our platform— ye (@ye) 1538338828.0
the 13th Amendment is slavery in disguise meaning it never ended We are the solution that heals— ye (@ye) 1538337647.0
Many of his fans knew what he meant.
@soychicka @kanyewest he's obviously referring to the "as a punishment for crime" part. there is a reason why the U… https://t.co/Aw8DDXjOng— yung atari (@yung atari) 1538333972.0
He is absolutely right about for profit prisons and mass incarceration, but that wasn't the only part of the tweet which confused people.
@kanyewest As he sits there on a private jet. #ConYay #PriceTag #SellOut— 🅿️2️⃣🅱️ (@🅿️2️⃣🅱️) 1538402126.0
People are finding themselves frustrated with West.
Folks, let’s cut tot the chase: @kanyewest has no idea what in the hell he is talking about. His rambling, unfocuse… https://t.co/wTcYwg5gEy— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) 1538340854.0
There’s nothing more maddening than debating someone who doesn’t know history, doesn’t read books, and frames their… https://t.co/eXdM1jxBsp— Chris Evans (@Chris Evans) 1538336126.0
Maybe we all just need a little bit of this from the director of 13th, Ava DuVernay.
I’m consciously choosing to tweet about plant-based burgers and not current statements about the 13th Amendment fro… https://t.co/CIeJCJqiF7— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1538339516.0
If you would like to learn more about the 13th Amendment check out 13th on Netflix and decide for yourself.