When a person close to you says that they have become a “free thinker”, it probably fills you with dread. Kanye West’s family might feel the same. The horrible truth of mental illness is obscured, because the noise Kanye is making is much more interesting to pay attention to. The constant fashion updates, unhinged rants, and arguments with former friends are certainly a spectacle, but distract from a larger problem: West has lost his mind. Kanye’s open nature when confronting mental illness seemed like a good thing towards the middle of the decade, but turned into an immature mess starting around 2018. During a TMZ interview, Kanye made it clear that his mental state had reached a dangerous peak, going as far to call 400 years if slavery a “choice”. Now three years after this mess, upon losing his wife and custody of his children in a messy divorce, he ended two years of relative social media silence. Kanye went on rant after rant, attacking friends and “enemies” alike. 

The internet exploded, as many rushed to Kanye’s defense. But people should be wary of an obvious dilemma here. Many criticize the jokes made at the expense of Kanye’s mental health, but it’s not as if he’s blameless in the situation. Unlike many other bipolar and manic individuals, Kanye has access to every available treatment, medication, and the highest quality of general health. Many justify the jokes made at his expense for that reason. And it’s not hard to see why. For years, Kanye has been vocal about his experiences. He views medicine as control and manipulation. He swears by his productivity when unmedicated, but it’s clear his behavior may be a bit more shaky. His narrative in general is harmful, as it encourages others to mimic his volatile behavior. 

This again relates to the larger conversation about mental health, when people question the nature of not only Kanye’s maturity, but the actions of those around him. All voices of reason seem to have been kicked out of his circle, while only those that idolize him remain. If you’re a young and up-and-comer in the industry and want to better your career, there isn’t a much better way than joining the Kanye hype train. So while his current state may improve the standings of new artists and producers, it’s severely damaging his relationship with his family, not to mention others around him. 

In short, Kanye’s irresponsibility has created a whirlwind, affecting others around him differently. But the amount of damage he causes with every manic and unmedicated move is too large to ignore. Medication isn’t a sinister method of control, it’s a benign one. And the sooner West learns that, the sooner his long-awaited “family reunion” could occur.