Don Lemon to Kanye: Pick up a history book

CNN's Don Lemon said of Kanye West's comments on slavery, "Kanye needs to realize it's not a binary choice: you can remember your history, and you can also achieve. It doesn't have to hold you there."

[@pgc4sean]

Don. We need to get more than 12 history books in a 40 student classroom. Pay the teachers properly. Education has been a problem for decades because the United States of America wants to hide from its past.

[@trekay7092]

Therapist first...Then History book Don.

[@ThemeparkNThings]

Tre Kay y'all just proving Kanye right dummies fuck a history book all that's coming out this guys mouth is slave mentality sucks to be a slave by you're own choice why don't don talk about how he makes his money and paying for 1000 dollar suits lol man you people are on some stupid shit

[@steadymanos]

So is Don saying blacks been in slavery for 400 years? 400 years? Yup Kanye is right.. to this day, if you feel you're in slavery then it was your choice to be in slavery..

[@AkulaSriRahul]

Kanye is 100% correct , 400 years of slavery is bullshit. Having slavery 400 years ago and 400 years of slavery are not the same thing. Slavery was ended 150 years ago by the whites in america. There is no slavery today

[@benniecrawford6876]

Akula Sri Rahul keep on telling yourself that white boy. Many blacks and Native Americans are still in your slave system, such as economic and racial slavery.

[@AkulaSriRahul]

Bennie Crawford Absolutely untrue, name one instance where they are facing slavery today, instead of saying they are enslaved

[@DominoEffect572]

After a long day of work, Kanye West goes to his Kanye Nest to take his Kanye Rest. He wakes up feeling his Kanye Best. Then he’ll get Kanye Dressed on his Kanye Vest to go on a Kanye Quest. He goes to church and becomes Kanye Blessed, then to a hotel room to be a Kanye Guest. Then to school to take his Kanye Test. He forgot to brush his teeth. Did he run out of Kanye Crest? His neighbor stole it, what a Kanye Pest

[@queenogress7906]

More like black firecracker. LMBAO!!!

[@noneya1238]

Lmao

[@AnasoReliableNews]

Black Dynamite kanye west's mentality must be RESET!

[@ericgatlin9836]

Black Dynamite why? you probably liked him when he said gorge w bush was racist

[@fuzzywuzzy1355]

He didnt say that. He said "George Bush doesnt like black people".

[@pembrajo46]

If you forget your history... you are bound to repeat it!!!

[@MrDavidBFoster]

Which is why history repeats itself about every 70 years, or so (actually it _escalates,_ but I didn't think y'all were ready to hear that).

[@leonsingleton4674]

patricaia; Then why are democrats destroying confederate history.

[@Gloria_All_Day]

Patricia Elliott So true. Even our individual personal history . If I didn't learn from my past. I would make the same mistakes if not worst .

[@NewNormalWorldOrder]

Patricia Elliott No, history does NOT repeat. That cliché saying has been debunked. Look into it.

[@charlescaldwell1691]

Patricia Elliott I have a question for you so you think that blacks are going to be put back in slavery it's just a question you don't have to get smart if you don't want to answer you don't have to answer it

[@markseyun2154]

Why do we have to be SO focused on history? Yes we can acknowledge it but when we think about the past so much it keeps us in the past.

[@adish7275]

Because when you forget history you forget what can be in the future, you forget to learn from the past. I'm Jewish and everybody is like: forget the holocaust already but it's so relevant today because the holocaust is what reminds me every day how important it is for me to have Israel as a safe place for jews where jews are a majority and not a hunted minority.

[@ericpabon2458]

WELL...WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT....KANYE IS OPENING UP THE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW SLAVERY WAS EVIL. SO MAYBE KANYE WAS ON TO SOMETHING

[@Hemlocksipper]

Harriet Tubman would agree, slavery was not a choice. What is she famous for anyway?

[@akichukwumaokoye5038]

"Money can't buy you common sense." Akkiva.

[@dennisv8934]

How about you pick up a history book, Lemon, and actually read it.

[@reptarhouse]

"Memory is the enemy of totalitarianism."-Albert Camus

[@ExtraGouda]

The first action of American slavery was documented in 1619.. So, 400 years of slavery implies that black people are still enslaved. Think about it..

[@mrboss20ten]

Micah Butler exactly. People are way to blind to see it though. Kanye not crazy

[@Lizzieverse]

And to be fair... reporting should also include info about the Irish slave trade, where my forefathers came from. My ancestors came to this country after the Civil War. They owned no slaves... they came here for a chance for a better life. Why do you guys always leave this out?

[@Lizzieverse]

Archie Fitzpatrick lol... good one! Idiocracy is here to stay! Bless you and may God take mercy on your evil soul ;)

[@ykendall9836]

Your information is insufficient. Read the contracts. Irish workers could eventually be freed. They were not forced into intergenerational slavery. They were not negated as 3/5 human beings. They were granted full citizenship long before African Americans. Even now, they can walk into Starbucks and not be judged as dangerous based on being Irish. There is serious research being done on this issue. Read it before you judge others and their struggle.

[@Lizzieverse]

y kendall Not really judging. I was the one being judged... the stupid blonde that I am. I just think what's going on in this country right now is more destructive than beneficial. I believe wholeheartedly in equality for everyone... always have. I don't believe hateful words and actions towards each other is the way to go. Acknowledge and accept differences... without requiring groupthink and without bullying and harassment. You can't make closed minded haters change their minds... no matter what you do or say. Be part of the solution by building bridges... not part of the problem by fueling more devisiveness.

[@miocid31]

Elizabeth Harmon I wonder if Irish people came over in shackles?

[@Lizzieverse]

I actually wrote a pretty detailed post about how I feel about this... with no attacks or divisive words whatsoever... but for some untold reason, it has vanished. I can only assume that promoting true equality is hate speech to CNN and its followers. Good thing my world doesn't revolve around BS like you guys would prefer. Real people have much bigger pressing issues to deal with... like how to survive another day in this world... how to keep a roof over our heads, how to feed our family!

[@Auntkekebaby]

A LOT of the captured were CHILDREN and TEENS!! People lost languages...everything and still yearned for freedom by FIGHTING in whatever way that could. He's a disgrace!!

[@johnbroystonjr23]

Kanye West mentioned '400 years' I imagine that he is referring to the year that is commonly used as a starting point for slavery in America until present day [1619-2018], 400 years approximately. Stating that slavery is a choice, when considering the present day state of many Black folks, especially those in the inner-city and poverty stricken environments, one could say he has a valid point. Slavery IS a choice-today, not WAS a choice throughout this country's historical past. Black people must get together AND stick together.

[@jihaadandrew2883]

shush, the democrats will come and cut your internet lol

[@goosestep8665]

DON sounds panicked! I am a black male and I left the Democratic plantation years AGO!!! CNN, some of us educated people find it funny that you don't have educated black conservatives like Larry Elders, Thomas Sowell, Etc to debate you. You are trying to drown them out with Liberal talking points! We are waking up!

[@boxertest]

Kanye was off his meds, everytime he stops taking his meds BS comes out his mouth

[@ouch65]

Sorry Don... Kanye wasnt talking about history of slavery, he was speaking of modern slavery. And you just proved Kanye's point... he was correct. thank you!

[@kirkcrawford6513]

Thank Republicans for those rights Lemon. Demacraps fought to keep you from those rights. That’s what Kanye is saying you just don’t want to listen.

[@Carlparishhonda]

Amazing!! Me and my uncle and aunt visit that very same location in West Africa back in July 1971. All black Americans should visit that area in West Africa.

[@sophieturner4045]

Everyone is attacking Kanye West but I haven't heard 1 person speak about the Libya slave that has been going on. I guess because a celebrity hasn't spoken about it then no one cares

[@LMan-by6mb]

Sophie Turner We are concerned about America .We are not like white america sticking our noses in everybody else's business . This why the earth is so fucked up .Stay out of other people's affairs and clean up your own yard.

[@chrispatriot]

N. Francis - NICE RACIST remark! Racist Much!!?? - There is no "WHITE" America unless you're a dumbass Liberal Sheep who buys into all this divisional suppression bullshit. And if you are, then you need someone to wake your dumbass up and help you pull your head out!

[@timothyatkins6787]

Exactly. Selective outrage again strikes from the mouth of leftists

[@sirstickyicky2827]

Thank you 🙏 President Trump 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ericahearn2574]

No we should not forget Our history, because our Grandfather's and Grandmother's were Slave

[@cardion411]

Thank you guys for keeping them honest. I love CNN.

[@ImMoonlily]

The problem is, the history books were rewritten. Now we have kids being taught that slavery was voluntary, the Natives moved to give the settlers room to build homes and the civil war was just a little dust up. It's truly disgusting.

[@breakingnews2664]

Kanye be pulling BS comments to get on the news Kardashian style. I'm sure he knew the backlash that was bound to come his way and I'm sure he doesn't care as long as he's relevant and talked about cause these days it's controversy that keeps the media talking about your name.

[@TheWaronSJWs]

The point of 'get over slavery' is not simply to forget that it happened, but to stop casting yourself as a perpetual victim because of it.

[@debragipson8601]

Kanye is crazy just imagine what kim kardashian has to listen to all day long he needs stronger medications

[@LMan-by6mb]

Michael Harley He's probably on the same drugs as Kanye.

[@guillaumerusengo9371]

Isn't shocking that people in 2018, in 2018 can appear on TV, in America and say:" kids don't know about slavery!?" Really?

[@muaythaiforever7893]

I agree with Don 100%! I didn’t realize what really happened during the days of slavery and I took an African American studies class and my eyes were really open to the atrocities that happen! People were treated so poorly that they even tried to jump off of the boats and drown themselves! They put up nets so they wouldn’t lose “cargo” and whips lashed at their feet and move around for “exercise .” I would like Kanye to be shipped to a place, after all the horrible things they went through, be placed in a location not knowing the language, and unable to talk to people for comfort because they put you with someone of a different tribe. This prevented them from revolting on ships and you were forced to depend on your oppressor to just be able to eat! He truly does need to read a history book....not just any history book but one of those that had no choice but to be enslaved!

[@billybassman21]

MuayThai forever African American studies, lmao

[@professorfoxtrot]

Sheriff Joe Clark absolutely whipped Don Lemon- just the way Donny-boy likes it.

[@itypethetruthnobshere8975]

Bury me in the ocean, with my ancestors that jumped from the ships, because they knew death was better than bondage. They made a choice

[@chozenterry]

Kanye's mind is gone with the wind...

[@bladerunner27x]

I knew something was wrong with him after his mother passed. No doubt that there is something wrong with him NOW and real family and friends would not let him go out like that.

[@taraaliyeva1813]

Think about Kenye is making his own FACTS now he is well suited to run the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION for this administration! lol

[@SirThomasBarone]

kanye didnt say becoming a slave was a choice, he said staying slaves for 400 years "sounds like" a choice.

[@daronnhutchinson7029]

So over it, thank you don lemon. But you can pick up a book, or a phone and learn.

[@mowthpeece1]

That's not what Kanye said....HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SLAVE MENTALITY AFTER 400 YEARS being a choice. And it is.

[@girletherial]

You're a class act, Don.

[@christophertyler5544]

lol

[@avanope2266]

Girl Etherial Don Lemon is a racist. CNN is a shithole

[@girletherial]

Ava Nope - And you're a Russian bot. Go home.

[@decacards5250]

Trump is the racist, he made the White House a shithole.

[@gokublack879]

Girl Etherial Mankind Manhattan Spokesman.

[@lamarparker1060]

A lot of young black youths don't know anything about slavery, civil rights, jim crow laws but they know every song on Kanya West entire album

[@RobynB200]

I love Don Lemons

[@brutisbear6074]

“I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” Harriet Tubman quotes

[@Ulix100]

CNN is a joke...is that news network ? We are discussing Kanye West and Don Lemon 24/7?

[@astrademetriou4763]

Ulix A Kanye West is an influencer to masses so this isn’t some kind of celebrity drama this is an effort to keep young people off of hate groups

[@Ulix100]

Astræa Demetriou ohh come on

[@astrademetriou4763]

Ulix A the existence of hate groups is amusing to you?

[@Ulix100]

Astræa Demetriou cnn creates hate groups,none else

[@astrademetriou4763]

Ulix A of course,racist narrative of the right’s politicians,their eagerness to devalue the lives of everyone but their own group don’t cause hate groups...cnn does

[@jensen5425]

i mean kanye has clarified that he was talking about mental slavery, i dont see why people are still making a big deal out of it

[@dores5671]

Gain loads of respect for don lemon from this . Salute bro

[@joannjameson4955]

Don Lemon is speaking his Truth. We can learn from it as well.

[@finishtherace3051]

Lemon tells Kanye to pick up a history book..lemon needs to pick up the Bible book

[@morgan2552t]

Mobile Sales01. Are you talking about the Christian Bible that was forced upon slaves?

[@niggastoplying472]

Yeah that one😒

[@IRON5]

Lemon is an Idiotic jackleg

[@irma567]

WTF do you still believe fairytales ?

[@designhub360customapparel]

EXACTLY!!!

[@100percentsurf]

Notice how Kanye West has created discussion.

[@luisrojas8133]

Don Lemon is a great intellectual person ; reminds me of my dad on the way they brake history

[@nordfresse]

Not only should you know your own country`s history and ideally learn from it, at this point it would also be extremly helpfull to learn something about what happened in other parts of the world throughout time: maybe Germany in the 1920 - 1940 would be a good place to start in order to better understand what is happening in the US right now...

[@jaymartin6956]

Don lemon much love appreciate

[@avanope2266]

jay martin Don Lemon is a racist.

[@IKIGAIofficial]

Kanye west > don lemon

[@decemberdarling6058]

When Don Lemon is more woke than Kanye West....you know the world has officially gone upside down and sideways! 😲😩😖😭

[@MsSteeldog]

Both are what they are. I mean that as best I can. They are right and wrong on things. Whatever side of the political spectrum people are on. Will be what they gravitate to when those dudes talk. I have never bought into the kanye hype. Even with his bush hates black people comments. It was a dumb thing to say at the time. Piss poor timing even if you honestly believe it. The dude is just reckless. And just like then people come out of the woodwork to put on him things he didn't actually say. They do it in a way to support their own agenda. People did it then and are doing it now. He is just another loud mouth. You would think since he has been in the public eye and talks so much (especially when an album is coming out) so long he would have his thoughts together before opening his mouth.

[@steadymanos]

Don Lemon is that one dude with the bloodhound chasing the run away slave Kanye.. Run Ye, Run!.. #freethinkers..

[@nicks4875]

Sunshine Monroe kanye west asleep

[@monstafloppa871]

All but dirt nappin bruh.

[@decemberdarling6058]

James Jenia because you know what it means? Tell us all knowing professor...What does woke mean? Please let us idiots in on your genius. We're waiting with baited breath...😒

[@davephantom5150]

"You Can't Tell Me Nothing" #Savage 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@NikiSaraswati]

Where is the Pooper Show?

[@tyanctil]

He completely missed the point of "slavery is a choice" he's talking about today people in America choose to be slaves. Stop using slavery as an excuse for they aren't succeeding today.

[@GoldenChild88888]

Well said Don! ✊🏽

[@colonelangus6885]

THE POINT IS THAT BLACKS COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED WITHOUT THE HELP OF OTHER BLACKS IN AFRICA. FACT.

[@otownmusic2409]

With all respect ; Liberal people are so sensitive, have some balls please..History is History...and we all learn from that, so don't get confused.This is not about slavery, this is about respect what others think and say, just simple like that. We live in a democracy or not ?

[@iPyroNigma]

Kanye West was mischaracterizing history (facts) to fit into his own opinion and narrative. You are incorrect - this isn't about respecting what others think and say. This is about highly popular characters using their massive channels to voice factless opinions, which can ultimately taint younger people's perspectives. We are all entitled to our opinions, but we are not entitled to express them as factual. Finally just as Kanye can express himself, others can rebuke whatever falsely crafted story he tells.

[@matt6014]

But Kanye isn't saying to forget about slavery... Don talked around the point entirely.

[@autobuff6598]

that's the problem your worried about the past not the present

[@daronnhutchinson7029]

autobuff65 worried about the present which is a product of the past.

[@autobuff6598]

Michele Ehrenberger bullshit!

[@daronnhutchinson7029]

Michele Ehrenberger yes there has been sad insane accounts of slavery around the world, but Kayne and Don are discussing the events here in the United States of America.

[@autobuff6598]

You do realize Democrats are the original slave owners right!I don't care if your purple with pink spots any person can be a successful in this country if they put in the effort

[@blacklyfe5543]

autobuff65 u should worry about the future

[@justinbariola]

Jews don't vilify germans and don't demand reparations and special treatment

[@aaronneal5312]

Kanye is actually correct. His point is to stop whining about the past.

[@aaronneal5312]

Archie Fitzpatrick Stop telling people about what you do every day! ! You need some help! !

[@sint0xicateme]

The past? You are so wrong for thinking that racism is not a problem today, and you're dead wrong if you think that slavery is no longer a problem. Sex trafficking is slavery and those numbers, in the US, are around 25,000. Of the 162 countries studied in the last 3 years, 30 million people were found living as forced laborers, forced prostitutes, child soldiers, child brides in forced marriages and, in all ways that matter, as pieces of property, chattel in the servitude of absolute ownership. The United States, per capita, has a very low rate of slavery: just 0.02 percent, or one in every 5,000 people. But that adds up to a lot: an estimated 60,000 slaves, right here in America. And because of the 13th amendment outlawing slavery *unless* you are convicted of a crime, there is a built in incentive by the Prison Industrial Complex to arrest people who have committed non-violent 'victimless crimes' and profit from their labor. Drug prohibition and The War on Drugs have racist beginnings as well. Nixon's domestic policy chief John Ehrilichman: "You understand what I'm saying? We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin. And then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities...We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did." This War on Drugs has been going on for almost half a century in the United States and as a result, has the largest prison population in the world at 2.2 million. As I type this, there are more black people incarcerated for drug offenses in the US than there were slaves during the height of slavery; In total, there were about 1.68 million African-American men under state and federal criminal justice supervision in 2013, 807,076 more than the number of African-American men who were enslaved in 1850. The War on Drugs has created a systematic methodology for targeting poor people of color and feeding them into the prison system. “The House I Live In” describes this methodology in five steps: identification, ostracize, confiscation, concentration, and annihilation. Michelle Alexander describes it in three steps: roundup, formal control, and invisible punishment. The War on Drugs and consequential mass incarceration serve as cover-ups for the attempts to essentially “get rid” of poor people of color in a systematic fashion. The government is making it seemingly difficult for those who aren’t upper and middle class white citizens to flourish. The marginalization of poor people of color (aka The War on Drugs) is a direct result of American capitalism. Sources for statistics: www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/10/17/this-map-shows-where-the-worlds-30-million-slaves-live-there-are-60000-in-the-u-s/?noredirect=on&.4e3c7dafd3cc www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2014/dec/07/diego-arene-morley/brown-u-student-leader-more-african-american-men-p/ mediapimpin.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/the-house-i-live-in/

[@joannjameson4955]

Aaron Neal who is whining about the past?

[@m.w.3256]

Aaron Neal As Don stated, STOP TELLING BLACK PEOPLE TO FORGET ABOUT THEIR HISTORY!!! Perhaps you should not forget too and find your lost emphatic soul!

[@TheJking85]

Me to Don Lemon: Pick up heterosexuality.

[@bigpapi2658]

Malcolm X be saying the same thing Kanye said!!!

[@PrincessYuki77]

Slavery was outlawed 153 years ago. Slavery was also pretty much on the verge of being eliminated anyway since only 5% of Southerns owned slaves. It was only Democrats that didn't want it eliminated.

[@insomthegreat]

Mr. Lemon please pick up a biology book. The D goes in the P not the A. It really is elementary.

[@berbz4101]

How would you know Ms. Incel

[@ChindoggOriginal]

Ur d goes in ur h cause u cant get no p

[@-HRH]

I disagree with Kanye's contention that slavery is synonymous with black ppl. The Jews were enslaved for hundreds of years; Romans enslaved Britons for centuries; and the word 'slave' comes from 'Slavonic'---pertaining to the enslavement of Eastern Europeans from the 9th centruy onwards. Slavery IS a choice by the enslaver, NOT the enslaved.

[@davidphillips9574]

Don lemon, when are you going to stop blaming people of today for sins of the past.. Don't you think it's better to move forward than to dwell in the past.

[@marctouss1862]

word.. so lets start by getting rid of those statues of the klan leaders down south... lets move forward... stop living in the past!...

[@sint0xicateme]

The past? You are wrong to think racism isn't still a problem. Because of the 13th amendment outlawing slavery *unless* you are convicted of a crime, there is a built in incentive by the Prison Industrial Complex to arrest people who have committed non-violent 'victimless crimes' and profit from their labor. Drug prohibition and The War on Drugs have racist beginnings as well. Nixon's domestic policy chief John Ehrilichman: "You understand what I'm saying? We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin. And then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities...We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did." This War on Drugs has been going on for almost half a century in the United States and as a result, has the largest prison population in the world at 2.2 million. As I type this, there are more black people incarcerated for drug offenses in the US than there were slaves during the height of slavery; In total, there were about 1.68 million African-American men under state and federal criminal justice supervision in 2013, 807,076 more than the number of African-American men who were enslaved in 1850. The War on Drugs has created a systematic methodology for targeting poor people of color and feeding them into the prison system. “The House I Live In” describes this methodology in five steps: identification, ostracize, confiscation, concentration, and annihilation. Michelle Alexander describes it in three steps: roundup, formal control, and invisible punishment. The War on Drugs and consequential mass incarceration serve as cover-ups for the attempts to essentially “get rid” of poor people of color in a systematic fashion. The government is making it seemingly difficult for those who aren’t upper and middle class white citizens to flourish. The marginalization of poor people of color (aka The War on Drugs) is a direct result of American capitalism. Sources for statistics: www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2014/dec/07/diego-arene-morley/brown-u-student-leader-more-african-american-men-p/ mediapimpin.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/the-house-i-live-in/

[@fusionsupa7867]

Marc Touss To Kanye's and David Phillips' point here, you are still thinking of the past. If they take down those statues, fine but no one should care about them.

[@leeantony]

Your listening comprehension skills must be piss poor.

[@joanmuraguri1382]

Are you joking? You can't forget. There is something called Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome or disorder not sure which is which written, the effects of this slavery is passed down to generations through genes. Please read the book before you ask to forget about 400 years of trauma, separation from loved ones, unruly killings and worse of all just being a different colour

[@stevenmartin3920]

My ancestors were slaves too. Slavery has scarred history since the dawn of time. What happened to African American ancestors is despicable, unjust, and abhorrent. What happened to my ancestors is equally disgusting, and I'm Irish

[@rubencardoso635]

No, it is not that "young people don't know" about history, it is that they don't want to know.

[@jnahal6797]

To Don Lemon....actually read the bible

[@TikTok_Yoga]

You're asking Ye to pick up a history book and He's out here writing history...

[@NikkiELFilmsTheatre]

Black people were enslaved on their own land and we weren't shipped from Africa. However slavery was real and Kanye's comments were insensitive and wrong!

[@aleciawalter8160]

We want it in history books, but schools can't afford the books.

[@queenbeethatme1009]

If some still venerate and remember the Confederacy, then the impetus for that institution must also be remembered.

[@vegasbrit9440]

Don couldn't have put it more politely, and so many of us are on the same page "I'm so sick of talking about him". DITTO

[@theletsbehonestatheist6131]

Kanye went completely against conventional thinking by thinking for himself. He challenged the status quo and he is getting crucified for it. Honestly, this is the bravest shit I've seen in a long time. Jesus walks. His name is Kanye.

[@wilsontheknight]

I mean the Jews weren’t only enslaved by the Egyptians....I mean we got Rome, Phoenicians, Assyria, Babylon, Germany, Spain.....

[@jamedraa8472]

Once the African communities began to witness the horrors of those "slave castles" many stopped cooperating w/ the White slavers. They realized this was very different from their system of having "prisoners of war".

[@RyanInLA]

the only people who say pick up "a history book" are people who don't understand history. There is no singular "history book" as history can be interpreted and re-interpreted in an infinite number of ways. Kanye is an artist and he speaks in allegories. I do not believe he was literally saying that slavery (i.e. colonial and early-American slavery) was a choice. Perhaps he is referring more broadly to psychological oppression which can exist even WITHOUT the use of chains. Don Lemon is only doing what he always does: reducing his political opponent's viewpoints to crude soundbytes and then congratulating himself for seeming more enlightened. Which he is not.

[@greateststarbyfar]

Kanye West doesn't need you to school him in anything he's married to a beautiful woman internationally famous infinitely more successful than Don lemon could ever hope to be. Don i think kanye doesn't need your advise since undeniably you are not in his league lemon head lol.

[@Scorch1028]

This is the ‘same Kanye’ who said that the U.S. is so racist that he wants to live on a private island.

[@mikkiten716]

3:40 Don Lemon: "It seems that black people in this country are the only people who are told how they should recognize and celebrate their history," he said after lecturing Kanye how he should recognize black history....

[@olger05]

Young people do not know?! The man is 40 years old and a father..

[@ulrichgueretmpoko9400]

There is truth to what West said, some made the choice to stay slaves and some chose to rebelled. You are not going to tell me that we couldn’t come together during those 400 years.

[@mistercool3859]

Dear Don Lemon, 1. Get a African American Studies professor on your show to quickly prove The College Dropout wrong. 2. Move on to real news.

[@beesollom-yp1pp]

did know DON THAT THE CIVIL WAR WAS THE FIRST WAR IN ALL OF HISTORY ANYWHERE -----WAS THE ONE AND ONLY WAR ======WHITE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR SLAVERY==== WHY DID YOU NOT SAY THAT ==DON

[@JCarlosFFAF]

400 years of mind-ensalvement "Right now we're choosing to be enslaved". " You're choosing to enslave people's minds " Pretty self-explanatory go watch the FULL interview...

[@sallyshaded9397]

Why doesn't any of the media play the whole clip. You know he isn't saying

[@fanelesinqobile681]

i hope kanye listens to him.

[@tss9886]

My mother's family is from the Gold Coast, now Ghana. She came here in the late 50s I will never know if I have relatives who were taken as slaves but since my family was coastal odds are that I do. It is so sad to me that I will never know those who come from my family line and cannot connect them with the vibrant huge divers family that we are. God bless all that overcome never let anyone diminish who you are or where you come from.

[@H00dN3rdz]

Kanye NEVER said to "FORGET" the past he was trying to say stop LIVING the past, make a better now and future. The media is shit, everyone just pushes their bias or opinion as fact.

[@dontmesswiththelopez]

Kanye said he doesn't like to read "he's a proud non-reader", Trump doesn't like to read either. Why do people idolize ignorance? Why do they both claim to be geniuses and people just believe them? makes no sense.

[@Sir_Loin_]

You don't see Jews, blaming German people on the streets

[@billyjaymz]

Kanye is waking up to the bullshit petaled by the media. He's not even saying he agrees with everything Trump does, he's saying we all need to come together, listen to one another, and bring an end to the devisiveness of identity politics. Let's have a conversation without fear of being called a libtard or a racist.

[@emcats84]

I love how CNN trots out Lemonhead as if he is the arbiter of all things black and how black folks should be.

[@prosperity1715]

Kanye basically said black ppl were enslaved mentally. Read the Willie Lynch Letter- it was to expire in 2012 and it didn’t. We’re still mentally enslaved. I like Don Lemon usually but he has crossed the line with his opinions of Kanye in this video.

[@stephengloor8451]

Slavery is a evil stain on humanity that will never be erased. Kanye is to music what Trump is to presidency.

[@donnavorce8856]

How could 817 folks thumb down this message? Seriously? What century are you living in or wish to live in?

[@NikiSaraswati]

When they tell you to dance... and you dance, you are a slave. If they tell you to dance and they pay you, you are a professional slave. How can you be a real dancer?

[@wesleypollard9827]

kanye was referring to "gone w/ the wind" type slaves not "amistad" type slaves. HUGE difference!