Erykah Badu, Hip-Hop Legend And Spiritual Icon, Can Find The Good In Hitler

Erykah Badu Image by Getty Images
Singer Erykah Badu prides herself of being able to see something good in everyone, even the worst of people.
“I saw something good in Hitler,” she said in a recent interview with Vulture. What exactly was that positive something she found about Adolf Hitler?
“Hitler was a wonderful painter,” Badu added. (She relented this point when pressed by her interviewer.)
Badu explained that she can feel empathy to Hitler because “he had a terrible childhood,” and said she could even imagine that if her daughter was treated poorly growing up “what that could spawn.”
The singer also shares some of her empathy with comedian Bill Cosby who was accused of multiple sexual attacks. “Sick people do evil things; hurt people hurt people,” she said.
While some critics feel Hitler’s art work showed signs of modest talent, none have ever claimed he was a “wonderful painter.”
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
