When Sorry Isn’t Simple ( Is The NAACP Accepting of Kanye Apology)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club

Episode: When Sorry Isn’t Simple (Is The NAACP Accepting of Kanye Apology)
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Lauren LaRosa
Guest: Derek Johnson (President & CEO, NAACP)

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Episode Overview

This episode tackles the crucial topic of public apologies, accountability, and the broader context of mental health in celebrity culture. Specifically, it explores Kanye West's recent public apology to the Black and Jewish communities for past harmful remarks, the effectiveness and sincerity of such apologies, and whether organizations like the NAACP can—and should—accept them. Lauren LaRosa interviews Derek Johnson, President of the NAACP, who shares insights on the apology, the path to redemption, and the need for substantive, community-centered actions. The conversation concludes with a shift to issues of ICE abuses and the NAACP's call for action.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Reactions to Kanye’s Apology

• Kanye's Apology Platform:
  • Kanye West took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal to publicly apologize to the Black and Jewish communities.
  • Derek Johnson’s Take:
    • Acknowledges that Kanye’s message centered on his own mental health challenges.
    • Points out that while public acknowledgement is a good first step, the medium (WSJ) is telling.
    • “Although he said he apologized to the African American community, that's not talking to the black community. Talking to the black community is coming on The Breakfast Club, is going on Joy Reid, is going to all the places that he knows also well how to communicate with the community…”
      — Derek Johnson [02:35]

2. The Importance of Apology Placement

• The Wall Street Journal Context:
  • Lauren explains WSJ’s significance to the Jewish community and questions if the ad sufficiently addresses the Black community.
  • Calls for direct engagement: “Do you think he has to do the rounds in order for that apology to stick to the black community as well?”
    — Lauren LaRosa [03:59]
• Johnson’s Response:
  • “If he's sincere about apologizing to the black community, talk to the black community, come to the black community, to the places where he has been able to perfect to promote his music and his voice.”
    — Derek Johnson [04:23]

3. Kanye’s Relationship with the NAACP

• Has Kanye Reached Out Before?
  • Lauren: “I was trying to find a time where you guys, the NAACP, may have sat down, talked with him … Has that never happened?”
  • Johnson confirms: “Not that I’m aware of. I’ve been in this position now eight years ... I’m not aware of Kanye doing any of those things ...” — Derek Johnson [05:15]

4. Mental Health, Privilege, and Community Advocacy

• Access to Care:
  • Lauren highlights how Kanye, despite wealth and access, still faces barriers in mental health care, underscoring systemic issues.
  • Johnson distinguishes between Kanye’s privileged access and the widespread barriers most face.
  • “The real question … is he ready to really go on that journey? … His wife and others push for him to go in that direction. And that’s a great thing …”
    — Derek Johnson [07:06]

5. Does the NAACP Accept the Apology?

• Criteria for Acceptance:
  • Johnson applauds Kanye’s acknowledgment and willingness to seek help as a positive step.
  • Stresses that the “real journey” is ongoing, emphasizing:
    • Direct restitution via engagement with the Black community.
    • Tangible actions to repair harms and advocate for mental health support.
  • Notable quote:
    • "I’m looking for him to begin to go down a path to repair some of those harms and then from there, use his platform as an example to advocate for access to healthcare." — Derek Johnson [08:54]
  • Emphasizes community collaboration: “We don’t need to take friendly fire from one of our own, right?”
    — Derek Johnson [09:16]

6. Would the NAACP Guide Kanye in Redemption?

• Openness to Collaboration:
  • Lauren: “Would the NAACP be willing to be one of those organizations that stands beside Kanye West and helps him figure this out?”
  • Johnson: “If he’s sincere about the journey, absolutely...It would be a great thing for him...to sit down and talk about...the paths and ways he can begin to repair those harms.”
    — Derek Johnson [10:48]

7. What Does Changed Behavior Look Like?

• Substance over Silence:
  • Johnson identifies two key steps:
    • Use Kanye’s platform to advocate and provide resources for mental health.
    • Educate the community, especially youth, by debunking harmful past statements and highlighting African American contributions.
  • “He should use his platform to educate about who we are as a community, the journey we’ve been on …”
    — Derek Johnson [11:42]

8. On Forgiveness and Boundaries

• Setting Boundaries vs. Being Supportive:
  • Johnson: “If he's ready to go on the journey, then we should be willing to go on that journey with him, to support him. But also recognize … fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice… Relapses are real … That’s the reality."
    — Derek Johnson [12:42]
• Highlights the complexity of mental health and the need for both empathy and accountability.

9. Broader Reflections on Mental Health

• Encourages everyone to be open about struggles: “The more open we are about that, the stronger we will be as individuals, the stronger we can be as a community.”
  — Derek Johnson [13:36]

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Memorable Quotes

• “Talking to the black community is coming on The Breakfast Club, is going on Joy Reid, is going to all the places that he knows also well how to communicate with the community.”
  — Derek Johnson [02:35]

• “If he's sincere about apologizing to the black community, talk to the black community, come to the black community, to the places where he has been able to perfect to promote his music and his voice.”
  — Derek Johnson [04:23]

• “We have so many people and institutions shooting at us, we don’t need to take friendly fire from one of our own.”
  — Derek Johnson [09:16]

• “Relapses are real. That's the reality. That's why I'm not reacting as much to what he said, but acknowledging that, you know, he said, ‘listen, I'm ill, I was ill, I am ill and I am seeking help.’ That's the most important part of any of this for me.”
  — Derek Johnson [12:58]

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Notable Timestamps

• [02:11] Johnson’s first thoughts on the apology, and focus on mental health.
• [04:23] Johnson discusses the importance of direct community engagement for an apology to be meaningful.
• [05:15] Clarification that the NAACP has not been in direct talks with Kanye.
• [07:06] The conversation about mental health access and advocacy.
• [08:26] Johnson on whether the NAACP accepts Kanye’s apology, and what repair looks like.
• [10:48] Willingness of the NAACP to help Kanye on a redemptive path, if sincere.
• [11:42] Advice on what real change would look like.
• [12:42] Discussion of boundaries, forgiveness, and the realities of mental health.

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Final Segment: NAACP’s Activism in Minneapolis

(Segment after primary discussion, included for context on NAACP’s current focus)

• Johnson’s Arrival in Minneapolis:
  • NAACP’s presence is in response to recent killings by ICE agents.
  • Strong advocacy for abolishing ICE due to abuses against Black and immigrant communities.
  • “We have taken the position that ICE should be abolished … You can't reform something that's so disrepaired...”
    — Derek Johnson [15:09]
• Call to Action:
  • Urges listeners to text DRY ICE to 20707 and oppose further funding for ICE in Congress.
  • Focuses on the need to protect due process and end harm from federal agencies.
• Race & Policy:
  • Johnson: “Let's not play the politics of race. Let's focus on the rightness of a constitution that should protect all of us, that we're all entitled to due process.”
    — Derek Johnson [17:44]

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Summary Conclusion

• Lauren LaRosa and Derek Johnson explore the limits and responsibilities of public apologies, especially from celebrities with vast platforms.
• They underscore that genuine change requires active engagement, community repair, and ongoing accountability.
• Mental health is recognized as a context—not an excuse—for wrongdoing, and the conversation pivots to systemic injustices facing Black and immigrant communities, urging solidarity and action.

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Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human mama. Quiero life un nuevo con verizon os.

[B]

Y vamos cuatro iPhone 17. S.

[A]

Nuevas and unlimited. Welcome. I'm the home girl that knows a little bit about everything.

[B]

And everybody exclusive know she don't lie about that. Right? Lauren came in hot.

[A]

Hey, y'. All, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. So we have been bringing you guys right in, like, literally right into all of the conversations that Kanye West. Yay. Formerly known as Kanye west, music icon, celebrity, superstar, all the things, right. That he's been having as he apologizes to the black and the Jewish community for some of the harmful things that he's done in the past. Now, joining me today here on the show, we have a very important fella, Mr. Derek Johnson from the NAACP, on the line just to have a conversation. I was reporting this earlier today on the Breakfast Club, Mr. Johnson, and we talked about the ADL and their statement, you know, in response to Kanye West's apology. And it made me think, like, you know, I wondered, wanted to know what the NAACP felt about the apology as well, because that's been the dialogue these last couple days. I mean, there's so much going on in the world right now. You're in Minneapolis right now. So other definitely more important things to focus on. But this is important as well, too. Hate speech and actions are important. So let's get right on into it. When you saw the apology, the ad that Kanye west took out in the Wall Street Journal, what were your first thoughts and how did you feel?

[B]

Well, the substance of his statement was around his mental health status and really the need to address mental health not only with him individually, but he has an opportunity now to use his platform to begin to advocate on behalf of so many individuals across communities who are struggling with access to quality mental health support. So I hope he used the platform to address that. The ad was taken out in the Wall Street Journal, and although he said he apologized to the African American community, that's not talking to the black community. Talking to the black community is coming on. The Breakfast Club is going on. Joy Reid is going to all the places that he know also well how to communicate with the community. He is a part of where he come from. But I wish his health journey is one in which he can acknowledge, recognize, and not repeat past mistakes, but be an example for so many people who are suffering with mental health illness.

[A]

Got you. Now, when you mentioned the platform that he went on, I want to go back to that, because being in, you know, this journalism space, I understand exactly what you meant when you said that, but the everyday listener and viewer does not get it. So let's talk a bit about the Wall Street Journal in the place that Kanye west chose to put this ad. So Wall Street Journal has a notable multifaceted connection to the Jewish community, you know, just because of an extensive coverage of Jewish affairs, the, you know, their opinion section and, you know, just some of the topics and things that they cover from Israel and Jewish interests, and a significant reporting on anti Semitism. So, you know, when we talk about just the platform and the placement, I think that there is some conversation there. Now, you mentioned some outlets that Kanye west could come on. Right. Do you think he has to do the rounds in order for that apology to stick to the black community as well?

[B]

Well, he doesn't have to do anything, but if he's sincere about an apology campaign, there are some things that he must do. You have to talk to the targeted community that's been harmed because of your words, actions and statements. And so if he's sincere about apologizing to the black community, talk to the black community, come to the black community, to the places where he has been able to perfect to promote his music and his voice. He knows those things. My concern has always been with the entertainment class. And Lauren, I mentioned this, I think, last week, who's surrounding him and advising him to ensure he's actually talking to the target audience that he intends to talk to. So if an apology is to the black community, then come talk to the community that he seek to apologize to.

[A]

Well, okay. So I was trying to find. Because I know a lot of times, you know, when things happen and issues happen and people are pointing to the fact that Kanye west, this is not his first time apologizing to either community. I was trying to find a time where you guys, the NAACP may have sat down, talked with him, built a relationship with him, and couldn't find it. Has that never happened?

[B]

Not that I'm aware of. I've been in this position now eight years. You know, entertainers, they have the discretion to pursue whatever avenue they seek to promote their work, to talk to the communities they care about and to really advocate on behalf of the communities they come from. I'm not aware of Kanye doing any of those things, and I'm not suggesting he hasn't done it because we're not a monolith. As a community, there are many platforms that people can choose to communicate through. And I'm not here to punch down on him when he's saying that he's struggling with mental health challenges. And I think that's the key point there for us is we have so many individuals in this country, in our community who, who've been struggling with mental health illness, much of which have not gone attended to because of the barriers in terms of access to healthcare.

[A]

Right. And I think that that was one of the things too, you know, in reading the letter or the ad, which was the letter in the apology that Kanye west had taken out in the Wall Street Journal, the very like within the first three graphs, he talks about just being overlooked by, you know, or alleging that or what he felt like happened in his own experience, being overlooked by the best of doctors in the medical system. Which is a conversation we have a lot in our community. But I think it puts things into a real perspective for some people to say, okay, this is Kanye west who has resources, who has, you know, he can pick up the phone and make these calls, but these things still happen to him. So when you talk about platforming and kind of how his platform can be used if, you know, people choose to, depending on whether you accept the apology or not, I think that there's something there. There's millions and billions of people who are now tuned into this conversation because of who we're talking about.

[B]

You know, access to health care, mental health care particularly isn't an issue that he has. He has access because he have the means to really access some of the best in the profession. The real question, and we all have friends and families who struggle with mental health conditions, is he ready to really go on that journey? His statement says he is. His statement said he, his wife and others push for him to go in that direction. And that's a great thing and that's a support network that many people need. So he doesn't have a question of access, but his platform could really advocate on behalf of those who, who may have barriers in front of them, whether it's financial or understanding how to navigate the landscape. I grew up with several individuals who were self medicating only to realize that they should have really had some mental health counselors so they didn't have to be self medicating and in many ways creating a lot of harm to their personal life.

[A]

So I mean, I don't know if this is a black and white answer, no pun intended, but like, does the naacp, accept Kanye West's apology. That's a conversation right now. And do you think it makes sense for people to give him a shot at trying to rectify some of his wrongs?

[B]

I appreciate the fact that, one, he acknowledged that he need to reverse course and seek mental health support. I commend him for being able to step out publicly and do so. Now the real journey happens. You know, I'm looking for him to talk to the black community, whatever platform he choose to do. I'm looking for him to understand the harm of his words and his actions as they were directed towards the black community. I'm looking for him to begin to go down a path to repair some of those harms and then from there, use his platform as an example to advocate for access to healthcare. But be a model for our young people to know that as a community, we have so many people and institutions shooting at us, we don't need to take friendly fire for one of our own. Right?

[C]

Hey, y'.

[B]

All.

[C]

Love is about to get real complicated. Mark your calendars for February 4th because Prime Video is bringing the heat with the new movie Relationship Goals, a romantic comedy starring Kelly Rowland, Clifford Methodman Smith, Robin Thede and Annie Gonzalez. The film is based on Pastor Michael Todd's New York Times bestseller, where Kelly Rowland plays Leah Caldwell, a powerhouse TV producer who's this close to shattering that glass ceiling. As the first woman to run New York's top morning show. She's got her eyes on the prize. But then, plot twist. Her ex, Jared Roy, played by Method man, slides back into the picture, competing for the same job. But he says he's a changed man, all thanks to that best selling book Relationship Goals. Lea is laser focused on that career. Glow up. The only problem, the chemistry between her and her ex is undeniable. And those old flames might just be ready to reignite. So if you're ready for laughs, love, and a whole lot of heart, stream relationship goals on February 4th. Only on Prime Video.

[A]

Are you guys willing and open. Like, you know, if Kanye were to reach out today and say, hey, this isn't going to be like a linear path, like, you know, mental health is an up and down thing. Rectifying people you've hurt is not an up and down thing. I need some guidance. You talked about the people around him with the naacp. Be willing to be one of those organizations that stand stands beside Kanye Weston and helps him figure this out along the path.

[B]

Yeah, if. If he's sincere about the journey. Absolutely. You know, we're not here to Punch down on anyone. We all make mistakes. And, you know, those mistakes can be large or small depending on one stature. And he's one with, you know, significant stature in our community, in pop culture, in the culture. And so it would be a great thing for him, now that he has said, he's recognizing the harm that he's created, for us to sit down and talk about, you know, what are some of the paths and ways he can begin to repair those harms?

[A]

And that's the question too. It's like, what does. Because everyone's like, okay, well, the best apology is changing behavior. What has changed behavior? Is it just him being quiet? Like, what is it that. I mean, of course he doesn't say the things that he was saying before, but in his day to day life in a real way, how would you advise him? What is change behavior? What does that look like?

[B]

I think the journey for him would be two for one, understanding the significance of his platform and begin to promote more resources, both public and private resources, directed towards mental health, prevent support. And then secondly, you know, really review what were the things that he said that were harmful and how he used his platform to educate our community, young people, particularly around the falsehood of those statements, and use his platforms to educate about who we are as a community, the journey we've been on, and how each one of us within the African American community, although diverse and dynamic, we should be empowered and have a real voice around the contributions that we have made, will make and are making today.

[A]

And what would you say to people following that answer that will say we're too forgiving of our own, we're too forgiving of these actions. This has happened multiple times. It's not punching down, it's just setting a boundary.

[B]

No, but nothing I said would limit us from setting boundaries. I'm saying that if he's ready to go on the journey, then we, we should be willing to go on that journey with him, to support him. But also recognize fool me once, shame with me, fool me twice, you know, whatever that saying is. Because that is the issue with someone who really struggles with mental health issues. Relapses are real. When there may be pressure points that cause someone out of stress to do it about face. That's the reality. That's why I'm not reacting as much to what he said, but acknowledging that, you know, he said, listen, I'm ill, I was ill, I am ill and I am seeking help. That's the most important part of any of this for me.

[A]

I got you. Is there Anything. I didn't ask that you want to just share on the topic. You know, when it comes to this.

[B]

Apology, you know, all of us should embrace the fact that in this current environment, particularly after the pandemic, we all go through bouts of mental health struggles. And the more open we are about that, the stronger we will be as individuals, the stronger we can be as a community.

[C]

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[A]

Now, I know you're in Minneapolis and I mean, I don't know how long you've been on the ground there, but would love to just hear kind of like, you know, what you guys are doing, doing over there, you know, and all, everything that's happening there as well too.

[B]

But I just landed and I'm here because we are at a crisis point in this nation as it relates to the ICE Agency. We have taken the position that I should be abolished. That's a very clear position. You can't reform something that's so disrepaired that you have individuals in mask causing harm literally killing our citizens. They should be on the border addressing individuals who are here undocumented or addressing individuals who are undocumented causing crime and what we witnessed in the last three killings, not the two, because you can't forget the brother in LA who was killed by ICE agents and the two here in Minneapolis. This is a crisis point and the Senate can do something about it. Congress can do something about it. This week we should not be authorizing a budget where we give ICE more money. So right now we're asking people across the country to text to the number 20707 dry ice. We need to dry them out and get rid of them, because reforming a broken system that's unreformable won't work. They are killing United States citizens with their charges to address undocumented individuals. That's a problem. That's why we're here.

[A]

Do you. So with the dry ice campaign, you know, in the midst of all of it now, and I know you said you just landed, but for people that are looking at this like, you know, for our people, for black people that are like, okay, this has been happening to us for a very long time now, right now, and now it's happening to the people on the other side of things. Do you think now, and I mean, it's, it's so hurtful to even have to say this, but do you think now, because it's not us and it's them, this will spark conversations that need to be sparked. I know the Trump administration is fighting back even, you know, with telling us we don't see things that are happening with the killing of Alex Preddy. Right. But, like, do you think that we'll see some forward movement at this point now? Like, what will come out of this? Because it's on the other side.

[B]

Well, two examples I use with that. One, the individual that was killed in Los Angeles was us. It was African American, male. So we can't say it's not us. But two, here in Minneapolis, the target of much of ISIS focus have been individuals from Sudan. And quite honestly, those brothers and sisters we all sat in the room, they couldn't tell whether you or I were Sudanese, were from Detroit or Chicago. So let's not play the politics of race. Let's focus on the rightness of a constitution that should protect all of us, that we're all entitled to due process. But more importantly, ISIS charge is to address individual under a civil crime, not a criminal crime. And what they have done is grossly enrich private industries, particularly the private detention centers, cause harm and chaos in our communities, seeking to restore the state of Minnesota for their voter roll and literally killing citizens.

[A]

And what about. Exactly. And what about. I'm seeing a lot of the conversation now leaning toward the comparisons between Alex Preddy and the Kyle Rittenhouse because of the, you know, the gun illegal or legal. All of that conversation, like, you know, with things like that, is that helpful or harmful to the, you know, the solution where we're trying to get to where people are not being killed and these, these systems are not being funded and people are being Thrown away and, like, behind bars. Is it helpful or harmful to have comparison conversations like this at all?

[B]

I think it's a distraction. I think the focus really is we have federal agents who are invading communities in masks. Unidentified. Causing harm, creating physical harm, killing people. We don't even know the two officers who shot. Why? Because they have no identification. They are wearing masks, and so we are told they're ICE agents. All we. All we know they could be a part of a white supremacist group masquerading as ice. People are being pulled over, unmarked cars, no identification. And when they're asking the agents for identification, they're refusing to provide identification. In fact, ICE has no authority to ask a US Citizens for proof of citizenship. Zero authority. So we have a problem with how this agency is being run in this moment. That's why we're calling for the US Senate, not to fund the agency in this budget negotiation. And long term, it should be abolished. Anything else was a distraction.

[A]

Well, I appreciate you for joining me. Please stay safe where you are. Stay warm. I know it's, like, so cold over there. You guys are on the ground and. Yeah, I mean, we'll stay tuned in and tapped in all the work. Anything you need, you know, just shoot it our way. Appreciate what you guys are doing, though.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Thank you for the opportunity. Good to see you.

[A]

Of course. Stay safe. Good to see you, too. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.