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While some Americans feel that Kyrie Irving helped promote anti-semitic messages when he shared the Amazon film "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black People." Several people question why the media scathed him for sharing a movie he watched on one of the largest digital platforms, Amazon? A bigger question is, why is a film with antisemitic themes allowed on Amazon? More importantly, what are Amazon's thoughts on this entire fiasco?
The film included philosophical, biblical, historical, and opinion-based anti-Semitic content. In the movie, the director, Ronald Dalton Jr., explains that as an African American, he feels slavery disconnected Blacks from their origins, lineage, and biblical identities. The author contends that once current-day Blacks understand their true identity as the "chosen" people, their life trajectory will improve. The film also examines culture, race, religion, languages, archaeology, colonization, and biblical revelations to support his ideas about Blacks before Western slavery.
The documentary contains a plethora of information. Dalton quotes several Greek philosophers, such as Plato, regarding their noted observations and interactions with ancient Africans before the slave trade. The director also cited Jewish people, such as the late Harold Wallace Rosenthal, who had opinions about his Jewish heritage; the film quoted Wallace's following statement "We are obliged to conceal our own particular character and mode of life so that we will be allowed to continue our existence as a parasite among the nations. Some critics took issue with the film's mention of Jewish slave ships being used to transport slaves. Dalton also projected that the Dutch and Arabs partook in slavery as well.
Kyrie asserted in a statement that he agreed with some aspects of the film and some he did not, yet, the media still labels him anti-semitic. Anyone who pays attention to Kyrie Irving via social media knows that he immerses himself in African heritage, religion, spirituality, and self-awareness. So perhaps, he enjoyed those aspects of the film instead of the anti-semitic themes.
Kyrie Irving has expressed that he has no desire to retire from basketball anytime soon. Still, people wonder what his next move will be, considering The NBA has suspended him without pay for at least five games, and Nike dropped him amid the controversy. Although Kyrie apologized, the NBA still penalized him. He gave the following online apology:
"While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions. I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this. To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the documentary. I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti-Semtism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I am."
Fellow players are speaking out on his behalf, such as Amar'e Stoudemire and Jaylen Brown. In order for the NBA to reinstate Kyrie, he has to adhere to the following conditions:
Issue a verbal apology and condemn the antisemitic film
Share the apology on social media
Complete sensitivity trainings
Meet with Jewish leaders in the Brooklyn community
Meet with Tsai
Make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes
Stay tuned for later updates on this story.
Photo Credits: USA Today Sports & Google Images
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