Is it Still Acceptable to Wear Yeezy Sneakers?

Analyzing the ethical dilemma facing sneakerheads who want to wear Yeezy.

I still remember the first time I heard Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). My sister's friend brought the College Dropout CD into my room to listen to while we played Madden NFL 2004 (a videogame with an equally powerful soundtrack).

It took less than an hour for my middle school mind to be forever shaped by Ye's sense of humor, soulful sound, and unrelenting self-confidence. For most of the next two decades, I rode with Ye through good times and bad - there were plenty of both.

However, the final straw was when Ye started espousing highly-controversial views, accentuated by abhorrent antisemitic remarks. It was a gut punch to fans and had to have felt much worse for people of the Jewish faith.

The fallout from Ye's hurtful comments was swift. His highly-popular adidas sneaker and apparel line came tumbling down. The German company cut ties with Ye in October 2022. The decision resulted in a $1.3 billion earning wipeout, according to Market Insider.

After months of working on a solution, adidas recently announced it would sell the remaining stock from the Yeezy sneaker line and donate the proceeds to charity. It was the best option when faced with only bad choices.

Are Yeezy sneakers still acceptable?

A detailed look at Yeezy sneakers / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With more Yeezy sneakers on the way, many sneakerheads will face a moral dilemma. Is it still socially acceptable to wear Yeezy sneakers in public? Not only is Ye making money off the royalties, but it feels like a tacit endorsement of the controversial figure.

For me, it's an easy answer. No, I will never buy or wear Yeezy sneakers ever again. I'm a firm believer in spending power, and there is a plethora of other good brands worth supporting. 

Adidas, Jordan Brand, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Reebok, and Under Armour all have more sneakers than one person could ever need that are more acceptable. There are also smaller brands, like Allbirds and Cariuma, that champion environmental causes by using sustainable materials.

But it comes down to a personal preference for each consumer. Some people are better at separating the art from the artist than me. We at FanNation Kicks encourage everyone to wear what makes them happy. Plus, anything is better than burning shoes in protest (seriously, just donate them).

Adidas' recent decision to move forward with selling Yeezy sneakers is far from the end of this story. There will be more ethical dilemmas that arise along the way. Each problem will be complex and challenging to navigate. Hopefully, the sneaker community will take a thoughtful approach to tackle each issue to help create a more inclusive environment.

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