Kyrie Irving, heavily criticized in recent days for having promoted a film with anti-Semitic contentand the Brooklyn Nets announced Wednesday that they will each donate half a million dollars to “causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance”. “I oppose all forms of hate and oppression,” Irving said in a statement, saying he stands with communities that are “marginalized every day.””.
“I am aware of the negative impact my post had on the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe that everything that is said in the documentary is true or that it reflects my morals and principles (…). I did not mean to harm any group, race or religion”, he added.
Irving and the Nets further explained that they will be working with the Anti-Defamation League, a charity dedicated to combating anti-Semitism. The point guard, who in the past has had other controversies such as his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirusposted last week on his Twitter account, with 4.5 million followers, an Amazon link to the movie ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America‘ (2018).
This film is based on a book of the same title published in 2015 which, according to Rolling Stone magazine, includes a multitude of anti-Semitic statements such as “many famous jews” they have “admitted” who pray to “Satan or Lucifer”. In its Amazon description, the tape claims to “discover the true identity of the Children of Israel.”
Irving’s promotion of this film received harsh criticism from the Nets, the NBA, and the Major League Players Union. Last Saturday, Irving assured that “the anti-semitic label“what is being given”does not reflect reality” and that he did not want to disrespect any religious faith.
“I am an ‘omnist’ and did not want to disrespect anyone’s religious faith. The ‘anti-Semitic’ label that is being given to me is not justified and does not reflect the reality in which I live on a daily basis. I accept and want to learn from all walks of life and religions”, he wrote on his Twitter account. Nevertheless, The base faced a press conference shortly after with a journalist who asked him the reasons for that promotion. “Don’t dehumanize me. I am a human being, I can write what I want (on social networks), so say it and shut up so we can move on to the next question”, he stated then.