Kanye West is making headlines again, not for some crazy, radically insensitive commentary on society. This time, West issued an apology.

The rapper, who officially changed his name to Ye, took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal to address years of unhinged behavior. Asking for “patience and understanding,” in his plea, he stated he is committed to “accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.” Ye uses the platform to apologize to those he hurt who were closest to him and the Jewish community. He also makes this definitive plea: 

“To the Black community—which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times: the Black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.”

Ye blamed his remarks on brain injuries stemming from a car accident 25 years ago. He noted that an undiagnosed frontal-lobe injury led to a bipolar type-1 diagnosis that was discovered in 2023. 

While it seems like an earnest effort from the rapper, the response he’s receiving is probably not one he wants to hear. Black social media is pushing back hard, stating the apology feels strategic and self-serving. “You’re only sorry until your next manic episode,” was one wary response. 

The skepticism is valid. It’s hard to forget the many painful actions Ye has done against his own community over the years:

There was his statement that American enslavement was “a choice” in a 2018 TMZ interview, which blatantly dismissed generational trauma and continued systemic violence.

Or stating in 2022 that George Floyd died from fentanyl, instead of a knee being violently pushed into his neck for more than eight minutes under the hands of law enforcement.

Or when Ye wore and featured a “White Lives Matter” motif at his Paris fashion show the same year.

Or his repeated commentary towards Black women, infused with misogyny, fatphobia, and systematic dismissal of our contributions to society.

Ye, here’s the deal. Saying you’re sorry is performative. If you really want people to believe you have a change of heart, it’s got to be shown through your actions. When and how will you support your community in need? What actions will you take to amend relationships with those who loved and once trusted you? How will you work on what’s inside to make sure the outbursts we’ve seen from you are forever banished?

When you’ve made those efforts, you won’t need to take out a full-page ad to profess your regrets.