When Lori Lefkovitz heard the antisemitic comments made by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, she says the words and sentiment coming out of the artist’s mouth sounded familiar.
Lefkovitz, the director of the Jewish Studies program at Northeastern, says Ye’s comments are part of a more recent trend of nakedly visible antisemitism dredged up by former President Donald Trump. At the same time, it’s part of a millenia-spanning history of antisemitism.
“In fact, antisemitism has never gone away,” Lefkovitz says. “After World War II, it went underground where it’s actually safer. Today, Jews on the street and in Jewish institutions are experiencing real fear.”
