By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James commented on the Kyrie Irving situation in the aftermath of his former teammate sharing on social media the poster of a movie filled with anti-Jewish propaganda.
“I can tell you this. It’s simple. Me, personally, I don’t condone any hate to any kinds, any race, to Jewish communities, to Black communities, to Asian communities. You guys know where I stand,” James said after he was asked why players around the NBA haven’t talked much about what Irving put on his social media and his comments afterward. “I believe what Kyrie did cause some harm to a lot of people. He has since, over the last — today, or was it yesterday — he apologized. But he caused some harm, and I think it’s unfortunate.
“I don’t stand on the position to harm people when it comes to your voice or your platform or anything. So it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, how tall you are, what position you’re in — if you are promoting or soliciting or saying harmful things to any community that harm people, then I don’t respect it. I don’t condone it.”
A few days ago, Irving uploaded on his Twitter profile the poster of “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” a film that was based on a book of the same title. The documentary feature includes several anti-semitic themes and tropes, including Holocaust denial.
The Nets called out and condemned Irving’s tweet while club owner Joe Tsai expressed his “disappointment” with the star guard’s action. When Irving was asked to address his post, he didn’t actually apologize and give a definite answer on if he has antisemitic beliefs. The Brooklyn Nets suspended him without pay for five games.
Irving later issued a lengthy apology with a statement he made.
“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 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.”