During the Super Bowl, Kanye West, now known as Ye, ran an ad directing viewers to his website, where the only item for sale was a white T-shirt featuring a black swastika. The backlash was immediate, with widespread condemnation from public figures and organizations. Now, a new T-shirt campaign is offering a direct response, promoting a message of resilience instead of hate.
The Israeli American Council (IAC) has launched the “Hate is Out of Fashion” campaign, featuring an $18 T-shirt emblazoned with a Magen David as a symbol of Jewish pride. The campaign encourages people to wear and share the shirt as a way to push back against rising antisemitism.
“Whenever and wherever antisemitism rears its ugly head, it poses a threat not only to Jews but to our entire society and its most basic values,” said IAC CEO Elan Carr, a former U.S. special envoy to combat antisemitism. “In response to Kanye West’s despicable attempt to capitalize on his hatred, our creative campaign mirrors his twisted fashion but instead promotes a positive message of pride, philosemitism, and American values.”
Priced at $18—a number that symbolizes “chai,” or life, in Jewish tradition—the shirt’s proceeds will go toward IAC programs combating antisemitism. This includes free online Holocaust education courses for public school students and School Watch, an initiative aimed at ensuring K-12 schools remain free from hatred toward Jews and Israel.
The press release announcing the shirt does not dwell on West’s actions, instead focusing on the broader fight against hate: “Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head once again—this time, even making its way onto clothing. But we won’t let hate define us”.
Fashion, as the campaign notes, can make a statement. This one ensures it’s the right one.
“ Wear it. Share it. Stand tall.” To purchase your own, click here.
