Kyrie Irving shown in a Brooklyn Nets game in 2022. (Erik Drost\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation,\u201d Nets owner Joe Tsai tweeted on Friday, shortly after Irving tweeted a link to the Amazon listing for a 2018 film called \u201cHebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!\u201d<\/p>\n
The film is based on an earlier book by the same name advancing the oft-repeated false claim that Jews dominated the slave trade. While Jews participated in the slave trade, the claim \u2014 advanced by antisemites including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke \u2014 is widely understood by scholars and watchdogs as antisemitic. The film and book also argue that Black Americans are the \u201creal\u201d Jews, a belief that is core to Black Hebrew Israelite doctrine.<\/p>\n
Irving, who has a long track record of engaging with conspiracy theories, including about COVID-19, said late Saturday night during a press conference after the Nets\u2019 loss to the Indiana Pacers that he did not regret sharing information about the film.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to stand down on anything that I believe in,\u201d he said, according to a report by ESPN. \u201cI\u2019m only going to get stronger because I\u2019m not alone. I have a whole army around me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had previously tweeted, \u201cI meant no disrespect to anyone\u2019s religious beliefs. The \u2018Anti-Semitic\u2019 label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irving\u2019s promotion of the film comes amid a flurry of attention to Jews spurred by antisemitic comments made earlier this month by rapper Kanye West, who has faced a slew of penalties after vowing to \u201cgo death con 3 on Jewish people\u201d and boasting that he could \u201csay antisemitic s\u2014\u201d without repercussions. Among the consequences has been the end of his contract with Adidas, which produced his immensely profitable Yeezy line of sneakers.<\/p>\n
Irving, too, has had a lucrative contract with an athletic wear company, in his case with Nike. The Kyrie line reportedly generated $11 million in income for him in 2019, but the line was seen as unlikely to be extended because it is unclear whether Irving, a seven-time All-Star, will continue to play in the NBA after this season. (The Nets did not renew his contract after he was unable to play during much of the last season because he refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19.)<\/p>\n
The CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, which called for West to have his contract canceled, praised Tsai and the Nets organization for condemning Irving\u2019s promotion of the film. \u201cAll of us at @ADL appreciate your leadership and look forward to continuing our discussions,\u201d Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted on Saturday night, prior to Irving\u2019s latest comments.<\/p>\n
The Nets \u201cstrongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech,\u201d the team said in a statement issued Friday night. \u201cWe believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irving\u2019s original post went up at the same time that entrepreneur and provocateur Elon Musk took control over Twitter, emboldening trolls and antisemites who would benefit from Musk\u2019s pledge to loosen content moderation policies on the social media platform. In his comments Saturday night, Irving indicated that he believed his promotion of the film should be accepted speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s on a public platform. Did I do anything illegal?\u201d Irving said during the press conference. \u201cDid I hurt anybody? Did I harm anybody?\u201d<\/p>\n
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