Between the first and 17th centuries, the phrase “black swan” was used all over Europe as a clever way to describe something as being nonexistent. It was kind of like the “when pigs fly” of that time period. To Europeans, it made sense to call things that didn’t exist “black swans” because, at the time, all of the swans they had seen before were white. The sky was blue and swans were white. Those were undeniable facts.
But in 1697, a Dutch sailor named Willem de Vlamingh saw a black swan in Australia, thus blowing the minds of an entire continent and forcing Europeans to rethink the way they identified universal truths.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I recently came across some information that challenged my own understanding of the universe.
We have to lower the price of textbooks…
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Before last Tuesday, I was under the impression that everything that comes out of rapper Kanye West's mouth was absolutely ridiculous.
To be fair to myself, I'm not all that into rap, so the only real exposure to him that I've had over the years has been through award shows and Top 40 radio stations. Much like the pre-18th century Europeans, I was unaware of what I couldn't see. I knew nothing about the sides of Kanye that are about things other than giving long-winded speeches and rapping about why a prenup is something that you need to have.
That's why I was pleasantly surprised to find out Kanye was using his massive reach on social media to draw attention to unaffordable textbook prices.
I mean, his mom has to work 2 days just to afford 1 book for her son …
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Unlike most of Kanye's ramblings, this one hit close to home. Even while renting and buying as many used books as possible, I often spend over $500 on textbooks in a single semester. Fortunately, I've had a lot of support. Every year on my birthday, my grandparents would put money in a savings account and tell me: "This is for when you go to college."
Looking back, I don't think any of us realized that those checks would barely cover the cost of textbooks. I can't imagine how difficult it would be if I had to pay for books on my own.
Regardless of whether this has anything to do with Kanye's 2020 White House run, I'm glad I've finally begun to see the side of him that cares about important issues that affect all of us.
I’d rather teachers got paid more and books cost less … #2020
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 16, 2016
Related Links:
Kanye West closes out Summer's End Festival at Tempe Beach Park
Diamonds in the Dust: Comparing Kanye West and EDM to latin dance music and gangsta rap
Reach the columnist at cmfitzpa@asu.edu or follow @CodyFitzStories on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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