Podcast Summary: "Questions That Need Answers: Kanye West and Mental Health"

With The Perrys — February 13, 2023

Overview of the Episode

In this episode of "With The Perrys," hosts Preston Perry and Jackie Hill Perry tackle a question at the intersection of celebrity culture, mental health, and faith: "Why don't we treat Kanye West like a human being?" Through candid conversation marked by humor and compassion, they explore how society responds to Kanye's public struggles with mental illness and what it means for Christians—and everyone—to treat celebrities with genuine humanity, empathy, and prayer, rather than spectacle or scorn.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Dehumanization of Celebrity

• Premise: Preston raises the central question: "Why don't we treat this man like he a human being?" (00:29)
• Dehumanization: Jackie argues that celebrity status strips away a person’s humanity, turning them into spectacles rather than fellow humans.
  • “It seems as if Kanye is no longer a human, but a spectacle.” (01:44)
• Preston agrees and suggests society is less empathetic toward celebrities than toward their own family members.

2. Kanye West: Mental Illness vs. Fame

• While acknowledging Kanye’s narcissism and self-focus, Preston emphasizes the public cries for help that are frequently ignored:
  • “I've kind of seen Kanye West put out things out there that might be a cry for help that I feel like the world doesn't pay attention to just because he's famous.” (00:59)
• Both hosts note that Kanye has openly discussed his mental illness, yet conversations about him rarely acknowledge this fact.
• Comparison: They suggest that if Kanye were a family member, empathy would come more naturally.

3. Christian Response to Celebrity Struggles

• Difference from the World: Jackie points out that Christians should not mimic the world’s “fake love” and reactive remorse, but instead, proactively humanize and care for those suffering, even at a distance.
  • “For Christians... it's important for us to make sure that we don't treat people the way the world treats people.” (02:30)
• Power of Prayer: Since most people cannot interact directly with celebrities, they suggest the most meaningful response is to pray for them.
  • “How do we attempt to love him well, being that we don't know him? And I think that is to pray.” (02:58)

4. Accountability and “Cancel Culture”

• Jackie and Preston discuss accountability versus outright “canceling.”
  • “There’s always room for canceling, insofar as canceling is a function of holding someone accountable.” (03:31)
  • Preston clarifies: “Being so disappointed in everything that he does and not considering the fact that the dude has a whole mental illness.” (04:04)
• They agree that consequences for harmful speech (like losing deals) can be appropriate, but erasing compassion and context due to his illness is not.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Empathy for the Famous:

  • “If Kanye West was our cousin or our brother, we would be more empathetic to the hurtful things that he says.” — Preston (01:05)

• Spectacle over Humanity:

  • “It seems as if Kanye is no longer a human, but a spectacle.” — Jackie (01:44)

• Prayer as Action:

  • “At the very least, we could pray.” — Jackie (02:28)
  • “When we consider him and in the headlines, like, his mental illness is not talked about enough, and I think that's problematic.” — Preston (01:31)

• On Canceling:

  • “Him losing deals is a way of holding him accountable to his speech… I was actually glad. I was like, Lord, I hope this draws him to repentance.” — Preston (03:53–04:00)

• Ending Reflection:

  • “Kanye has a mental illness, but he is a human being, should be treated and considered and thought of as a human being and treated with the same dignity and respect that is owed to a human being.” — Jackie (04:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29 – Preston asks why Kanye isn’t treated as a human being.
• 01:44 – Jackie highlights celebrity dehumanization and spectacle.
• 02:30 – Jackie and Preston discuss the Christian responsibility toward celebrities.
• 03:31–04:14 – Nuances of “cancel culture” and accountability.
• 04:27–04:46 – Closing thoughts: Prayer as the highest act of care for distant celebrities.
• 04:48–06:11 – Preston prays specifically for Kanye West, focusing on humility, support systems, mental health, and spiritual well-being.

Closing: Call to Compassion and Prayer

The episode concludes with Preston leading a heartfelt prayer for Kanye West, calling attention to:

• The difficulties of being famous with a mental illness.
• The universal need for humility, love, and divine validation.
• A prayer for protection against despair and for supportive people in Kanye’s life.
• An encouragement for listeners to actively pray for public figures instead of simply watching their struggles unfold (04:48–06:11).

Main Takeaway

Society—and especially Christians—must resist the urge to strip celebrities of their humanity, remembering their need for empathy and prayer. The Perrys invite us to consider both the need for accountability and the imperative to acknowledge and care for mental illness, even from a distance.

Tone: Honest, compassionate, candid—true to the natural, insightful banter of Preston and Jackie Hill Perry.