Kanye West is getting a lesson in contraception after he appeared to equate Plan B One-Stop, a contraceptive pill, with an abortion pill in a recent interview.
The rapper made a controversial denunciation of the Democratic Party in an interview with radio DJ Big Boy last week, claiming that black Americans have historically been "brainwashed" into supporting the Democrats instead of exercising individual choice. "Democrats had us voting Democrats for food stamps for years, bro," the rapper said. "Guns in the '80s, taking the fathers out the homes, Plan B, lowering our votes, making us abort our children."
The rapper's comments about Plan B and abortion led many people to believe he was confusing Plan B One-Stop—an emergency contraception that helps prevent pregnancy—with medication that can abort an unwanted pregnancy. West did not clarify his position after the interview went viral on Tuesday.
Now, Foundation Consumer Healthcare, the pharmaceutical firm that makes Plan B, is offering West a primer on the medicine.
"Plan B emergency contraception is a safe and effective backup option when used as directed after unprotected sex or birth control failure," a spokesperson for FCH told TMZ. "Plan B helps prevent pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation. Plan B is not an abortion pill—it will not harm an existing pregnancy and it will not be effective if a woman is already pregnant."
The frequently asked questions section on Plan B's website also makes clear that it is not a drug that can be used to treat unwanted pregnancies. "Plan B is not an abortion pill and it will not affect an existing pregnancy. If you have any questions, please be sure to talk to your healthcare professional," says the site.
West, 42, was also offered some perspective from Planned Parenthood about black women's roles in pushing for abortion rights in the U.S. and greater access to reproductive health care.
"As black women, we make our own decisions about our bodies and pregnancies, and want and deserve to have access to the best medical care available," a Planned Parenthood spokesperson told TMZ. "Misinformation like this is meant to shame us and keep us from making our own health care decisions. Black women want and deserve support and access to the full range of reproductive health care, but this persistent lie is threatening our ability to obtain it."
In the interview last Friday, West defended his support for Republican President Donald Trump and said it was "racist" to expect him to support the Democrats "based on my race."
