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Kanye West was relentlessly mocked by a new hashtag — #IfSlaveryWasAChoice — after saying on “TMZ Live” Tuesday that 400 years of slavery appeared to be “a choice.”
“When you hear about slavery for 400 years — for 400 years? That sounds like a choice,” West said. “You was there for 400 years, and it’s all of y’all? It’s like we’re mentally in prison.”
West later attempted to clarify the statement, tweeting, “Of course I know that slaves did not get shackled and put on a boat by free will … My point is for us to have stayed in that position even though the numbers were on our side means that we were mentally enslaved.”
Also Read: Kanye West Says Slavery 'Sounds Like a Choice' (Video)
The hashtag #IfSlaveryWasAChoice became the top trending topic in the U.S. just hours later. Read on for some examples:
I was told by AppleCare that I could come to America and not pick cotton #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/XSayClg3Kg
— The Beyoncé of The Root (@JarrieBradshaw) May 2, 2018
Me seeking my slave advisor to explain career alternatives after 4 years on the plantation #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/LXpgxGPQDI
— Morenaaa (@MadeinBinjai) May 2, 2018
Me going to sue Massa after he bumped into me slightly 1 time:#IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/llP4QTeTHo
— Matt????: Happy Zitao Day (@mattswaggster) May 2, 2018
Me tryna calculate how many days I can miss before I lose my healthcare benefits #ifslaverywasachoice pic.twitter.com/Xk7kqiw7Fz
— Sailor J✨ (@SlaylerJ) May 2, 2018
Me, using the Underground Railroad to go party up north using my paid slavecation days: pic.twitter.com/DtkglyLR3f
— jiffy triangle (@ThatFakeHeaux) May 2, 2018
When you got that notice that you're being freed but you gotta tell Massa something #IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/YNFRPUg9Vl
— September….Spring/Summer (@iHeart_youKeish) May 2, 2018
When massa threatens to give you lashings pic.twitter.com/LrtOdLCTLv
— ???????? Thiccalicious ???????? (@AdventuresOfAda) May 2, 2018
#IfSlaveryWasAChoice is like when folks start telling funny stories at the repast after a loved one has died, to help ease the pain of the loss.
Fare thee well, Kanye. pic.twitter.com/DlydIxHHjK
— April (@ReignOfApril) May 2, 2018
When you find out you and all your friends got accepted into the same plantation..#IfSlaveryWasAChoice pic.twitter.com/Pu4Xztlyvy
— ???? (@iamderickk) May 2, 2018
And here’s an honorary mention not from the hashtag:
Want to feel old? This is Kanye West now. pic.twitter.com/BWRBm1ld5p
— Mat Johnson (@mat_johnson) May 1, 2018