#IfSlaveryWasAChoice surfaces after Kanye West slavery comments
After Kanye West suggested slavery was a choice during a recent TMZ interview, several have disputed his comments on social media with the viral hashtag #IfSlaveryWasAChoice.
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On Tuesday, the rapper made an appearance on the show to chat about his return to Twitter and his definition of free-thought.
While explaining his views, he mentioned slavery. “When you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years? That sounds like a choice,” he said.
His remarks not only roused TMZ's Van Lathan, but he also seemingly sparked #IfSlaveryWasAChoice across social media.
Many used the trend to create fictitious scenarios, where enslaved African-Americans from previous centuries experienced freedom without suffering dangerous consequences.
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Several imagined what it would have been like had slaves refused to work or follow rules without punishment.
When I get asked to pick more cotton after I’m done for the day #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/CiA2BxYY23
— It’s time to wake them up (@errandkayblaque) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— Rob Sherrell (@RobJustJokin) May 2, 2018
“Pick that cotton or it’s a 25 lashes!”
Me: pic.twitter.com/QDSNz0cxzs
I was told by AppleCare that I could come to America and not pick cotton #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/XSayClg3Kg
— The Beyoncé of The Root (@JarrieBradshaw) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— do (@itsjustdebb) May 2, 2018
Me and my man stepping out after we both checked "no thanks" on our slavery forms pic.twitter.com/L3FGZRwI44
Me staring at the rest of y’all in the field wondering why you didn’t just say no #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/qopWFfBPi3
— Blessing (@BIessing_) May 1, 2018
Massa: be on the plantation at 6:00 am
— berry.. (@noeam1) May 2, 2018
Me at 11:00 am #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/bihXlW5EsS
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Others envisioned slavery with benefit packages and the option to scout positions using job sites, such as Career Builder.
me looking at the job specifications of plantations #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/991GHE6Wdp
— Pew Pew Pew 22 (@shin_shin92) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— Positive Papí †iiKo (@937Noah_) May 2, 2018
"It says here on Massa Lynchwater's site, that his plantation offering:
- Free Dental
- a great health care system
- Kwanzaa off
- and paid slavecations!
OH man, I'm bouta put my 2 weeks in TODAY! You think I can use Massa Jefferson as a reference?" pic.twitter.com/YMrBD6RGR6
When you’re at your slavery interview and massa tells you it’s unpaid #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/4KKdaUZueV
— Plantain Princess (@jaybougiee) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— shadressdenise (@iShadressDenise) May 2, 2018
Massa: the job has no benefits, no days off, and we can’t pay you. But we can at least guarantee you’ll have the position for 400 years pic.twitter.com/GGCUbs203H
“Okay, it says here on Careerbuilder that Massa Thomas got better slavecare“ #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/THEhQFjjtg
— LauraBeenJulius (@FunnyJulius) May 1, 2018
Me switching to a Carnival Cruise instead of the Amistad #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/Gnd8BiUUzn
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) May 2, 2018
When Massa wants me to work overtime but I got three other plantation interviews this week #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/kJGcASr6Ev
— raven (@sweetbabyyraes) May 2, 2018
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And a few just chimed in with their general thoughts on the hashtag. While some thought it was funny, others said it was a mockery.
The #IfSlaveryWasAChoice hashtag is just another example of why Black Twitter remains undefeated.
— Nikki (@NTDubb) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice shouldn’t be funny but I’m dying 😂😂
— Jenn💕 (@Karmas_sweet) May 2, 2018
We are not mocking slavery with this hashtag, it’s just to show how stupid Kanye’s statement is.#IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— Anu #IfSlaveryWasAChoice 🙅🏿♂️ (@anu_akinola) May 2, 2018
Black people have mastered the art of finding a way to use laughter as a healthy coping mechanism when something is just too painful at the moment. Don't believe me? Check out #IfSlaveryWasAChoice
— Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) May 2, 2018
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About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
