Back in May, Kanye West made an appearance on TMZ.

Not to talk about music or himself (shocker) but to discuss the concept of “free thought” with the lively TMZ newsroom team and conservative commentator Candace Owens. The discussion led to the topic of slavery, a far cry from the pop culture-heavy headlines the TMZ crew normally confront when they gather to gossip and gab.

Shocking those in the studio as well as the at-home audience, West wanted the world to know that he believed slavery was “a choice.” “When you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years?! That sounds like a choice,” he declared. Proud to don (no pun intended) his “Make America Great Again” cap, the whole “great again” concept made listeners wonder how West could back such a sentiment when slavery was such a significant smear on America’s history. But he stood by his comments in true West fashion…until now.

Yesterday, West wowed us all by saying he’s sorry. But sorry that he made the comment or for how people reacted to it? Here’s his apology: “I don’t know if I properly apologized for how that slave comment made people feel. I want to take this moment right now to say that I’m sorry for hurting, I’m sorry for the one-two effect of the ‘MAGA’ hat into the slave comment,” West said during an interview with Chicago’s WGCI 107.5.

So, does he feel any differently about slavery or did he simply regret the backlash? Perhaps we will hear more from “Ye” as this mea culpa makes the rounds. Nevertheless, West is convinced that he is very much adored and admired. How fans lean on him to lend his voice for the greater good and that he’s willing and able to take center stage as part of the collective conversation. He explained during the “I’m sorry” interview how the TMZ talk, “showed me how much black people love me and how much black people count on me and depend on me and I appreciate that.” He later added how the “criticism he faces often leaves him feeling like his voice is not meaningful.”

At least West acknowledges his position has power, at least when it comes to having a platform. Of course, like any of us, he has the right to his opinion. But when one has a public “podium” like West does, he must realize that his words will resonate far and wide. He will hear both agreement and dissent. And if he is really sorry about what he said, what did he actually mean? Maybe another appearance on TMZ will help clarify the rapper’s rationale.

Melissa A. Kayis a New York-based writer, editor, and content strategist. Follow her work on PopDust as well as sites including TopDust, PayPath, Chase Bank, P&G, Understood.org, The Richest, GearBrain, The Journiest, Bella, TrueSelf, AMC Daycare, and more.

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