Ye thanks the Black community in an open letter, claiming that undiagnosed brain injury fueled previous outbursts
Ye Shares His Story of Bipolar Type-1, His Deep Remorse to the Black Community, and His Return to Clarity in a Potent Step Toward Accountability
Ye bought a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal to deliver an open letter that is being described as his most heartfelt moment in years, marking a significant and unexpected move toward making atonement.
Ye is finally making the connection between his public behavior and a medical crisis that began decades ago, departing from the cryptic social media statements we’ve seen in the past.
He disclosed in his letter that the car accident that broke his jaw in 2002 also injured his right frontal lobe, which was not discovered for 20 years.
“The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed,” he said, describing how this medical neglect contributed significantly to his battle with Bipolar Type-1 and wasn’t correctly identified until 2023.
He stated, “Once people label you as ‘crazy,’ you feel as if you cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world,” adding that persons with the disease had a much shorter life expectancy. This letter delves deeply into the horrifying realities of madness, in contrast to his 2023 Hebrew apology, which many perceived as a band-aid solution. “As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn’t want to be here anymore,” he said, describing a four-month period in early 2025 when he completely lost control.
Speaking candidly about the harm he inflicted, Ye said that when in a fragmented state, he “gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find.” He clarified, writing, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite, and I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state.” I adore Jews. Nonetheless, a significant portion of this letter was devoted to those who had supported him throughout it all.
He wrote, “To the Black community—which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times, the Black community is, without a doubt, the foundation of who I am.” I sincerely apologize for disappointing you. I cherish us. He admitted that he treated his loved ones the worst during his manic episodes and that he lost sight of his leadership influence. He also spoke up about his road to recovery, sharing how he spent time on Reddit boards and discovered he wasn’t the only one who was having trouble finding the correct diagnosis and medicine.
“Even though they take medication every day, it’s not just me who ruins their entire life once a year,” he said. When he reached his lowest point, he thanks his wife for being the one to eventually encourage him to get assistance. He isn’t asking for a free pass now that he has established a “new baseline” through therapy and a suitable medical regimen. “I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home,” he said before concluding the letter in a humble manner.
