Featured Image Credit: Dan Shiff/ ABC. Disney+
Topics: News, Kanye West, Celebrity, Fashion
Charisa Bossinakis
Topics: News, Kanye West, Celebrity, Fashion
A former Ye fan has burned USD $15,000 (AUD $23,227, £12,961) worth of Yeezy sneakers following the rapper’s anti-Semitic tirade.
Major corporations have severed ties with the musician over the last few weeks; however, they aren’t the only ones boycotting the musician.
South Florida man, Danny Shiff, has even gone so far as to set his expensive brand of sneakers on fire.
After he tossed his once beloved fresh pair of kicks into the fire, Shiff told 7 News Miami: “I’m very much actually for free speech, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what got me going on this one is someone like Kanye West, people like him cannot use the massive platform to spread this kind of hate.
“So I thought, ‘There’s not much I can do.’ I bought 40 pairs of Yeezys, so I’m going to burn them all."
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Shiff posted a video of him burning several sneakers on a fire pit that has now gone viral.
He told the outlet that he did so to ‘make a statement’ before adding: "I’m never going to wear them again or support him again."
However, many online called out Shiff for carelessly throwing out thousands of dollars.
One person wrote: “He already has his money. Dude could have donated $40k.”
Another said: “The year is now 2040 and Yeezys are now worth 20000 per shoe.”
A third person commented: “Why pollute to prove a point. And he's already got your money. He doesn't care what you do with them now.”
While another shared: “Don’t burn them to pollute the air. Give them to charity for the homeless.”
According to News12 The Bronx, Shiff reportedly still has USD $25,000 (AUD $38,723 or £13,949) worth of sneakers left.
However, since copping heat on the internet, the South Floridian man has decided to auction off the items, with proceeds going towards an organisation fighting racism and anti-Semitism.
Shiff’s move comes days after one of the rapper’s biggest partnerships, Adidas, terminated their contract with him.
Earlier this week, the sportswear giant issued a statement, revealing that they are officially cutting ties with West as they do not wish to encourage ‘hate speech’ as they stand for ‘diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness’.
The company said: "adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.
"After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. adidas will stop the adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect.
"This is expected to have a short-term negative impact of up to €250 million on the company’s net income in 2022 given the high seasonality of the fourth quarter."