I have been a BYU fan my entire life. I remember Beck to Harline and Max Hall to Andrew George. I was there for Jonathan Tavernari, Jimmer Fredette, Elijah Bryant and Yoeli Childs. From Jake Heaps to Bear Bachmeier, I’ve been in the stands cheering on the Cougs.
This season feels different. I’m sure there are various reasons. There seems to be more important things than sports these days, including the loss of the rights in the U.S. and genocide occurring overseas. However, one thing happening at BYU football games the past couple of weeks has really pushed me away.
“Power” by Kanye West (aka YE).
If you don’t know, over the summer Kanye West released a song originally titled “Heil Hitler” (since retitled “Hallelujah”), praising the genocidal, fascist leader. Kanye has a history of racist and antisemitic remarks, leading to the song “Power” to be removed from BYU sporting events in 2022. That ban was obviously not continued as Kanye’s music continues to blast from the speakers at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday nights.
As a lifelong BYU fan and alumni, and as a human being striving for empathy, I call on BYU to permanently ban “Power,” and any other music by Kanye West, from the game day playlist. The university needs to draw a line in the sand, or a chalk circle as Karl G. Maeser once said, and commit that they will not tolerate hatred or racism from anyone, musician or politician, whether in the Middle East, D.C., or Provo itself. Until then, I don’t know if I can continue to support an organization that is OK with playing the music of a Nazi sympathizer to rile up the crowd.
Brett Frandsen, Orem
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