Kyrie Irving Refuses to Apologize in Press Conference: “I Cannot Be Anti-Semitic”
If there was a path to mending the situation after Kyrie Irving’s tweeted a link to an anti-Semitic movie last week, Irving himself put a torch to it Thursday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters for the second time since his promotion of the film, “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” Irving refused to say he was sorry, refused to say he doesn’t hold anti-Semitic beliefs, refused to say the Holocaust happened and cast himself as the victim in the entire saga.
Irving was cut off by Nets PR after just six minutes of answering questions, and the team soon realized its best option was to cut its losses, suspending him indefinitely and for a minimum of five games.
“I didn’t mean to cause any harm,” Irving said. “I’m not the one that made the documentary.”
In the eyes of the Nets — and the Anti-Defamation League, which returned a $500,000 donation from Irving — that was not nearly enough.
“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film,” the Nets wrote in a statement not attributed to any individual. “This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify.
“Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
Irving finally issued an apology late Thursday evening via his Instagram account, but it may be viewed as too little, too late. After all, it only came after Irving whiffed on two attempts to apologize in front of cameras and reporters, was hit with that backlash from the ADL and was suspended by the Nets. And even the apology says that Irving agrees with some parts of the movie — though it doesn’t say what parts, specifically.
“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 responsibility for my actions,” Irving wrote. “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-[Semitism] 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.”
Regardless whether Irving is ultimately forgiven, it is the second time in as many seasons that he will miss playing time, not because of an injury, but due to a controversy entirely of his own making. He missed two-thirds of last season due to his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Asked twice on Thursday whether he holds anti-Semitic beliefs, Irving answered the same way both times.
“I cannot be anti-Semitic if I know where I come from,” Irving said.
That answer in particular prompted backlash from the ADL.
“We were optimistic, but after watching the debacle of a press conference, it’s clear that Kyrie feels no accountability for his actions,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “@ADL cannot in good conscience accept his donation.”
Irving repeatedly echoed the language from his joint statement with the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday night, saying he took responsibility for the retweet while sidestepping a direct apology. More than once, he directed the conversation back to slavery in America and racism against black people, without clarifying why it was relevant to questions about his beliefs toward the Jewish community.
The film Irving promoted advances the anti-Semitic and false thesis that black people are the “chosen ones” from Israel and have been victimized by Jews. It lists “five major falsehoods” that Jews have perpetuated to retain power, including the Holocaust.
Irving said that some things in the movie were “questionable” and “untrue.” Asked specifically what those things were, said, “I think some of the criticism of the Jewish faith and the community for sure.”
Some, but not all.
Asked whether he believes the Holocaust happened, Irving did not give a direct answer.
“It’s not that I don’t believe in the Holocaust, I never said that,” Irving said. “Never, ever have said it. It’s not come out of my mouth. I never tweeted it, I never liked anything like it. So the Holocaust in itself is an event that means something to a large group of people that suffered something that could have been avoided.”
Less than an hour before Irving spoke, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who is Jewish, released a statement blasting Irving’s non-apology from Wednesday night and saying he planned to meet with Irving to discuss the situation in person.
“I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize,” Silver said.
The statement marked a notable shift in rhetoric. Up until then, the league, the NBPA and the Nets had issued statements denouncing hate speech and anti-Semitism, but without naming Irving specifically. Silver released his statement about an hour before Irving spoke with reporters, and by Thursday evening, the dam had broken completely.
“The answer to the question, ‘Do you have antisemitic beliefs’ is always ‘NO’ without equivocation,” Greenblatt tweeted. “We took @KyrieIrving at his word when he said he took responsibility, but today he did not make good on that promise.”
Brooklyn is one of the most Jewish communities in the country, with heavily orthodox neighborhoods, including Borough Park and Williamsburg. Every time Irving was asked to address his beliefs towards the Jewish community, though, he gave an answer about racism in America.
“Where were you when I was a kid, figuring out that 300 million of my ancestors are buried in America?” Irving said. “Where were you guys asking those same questions when I was a kid learning about the traumatic events of my familial history and what I’m proud to come from and why I’m proud to stand here and why when I repeat myself that I’m not gonna stand down it has nothing to do with dismissing any other race and group of people. I’m just proud of my heritage and what we’ve been through.
“The fact that this has pinned me against the Jewish community and I’m here answering questions of whether I’m sorry or not on something I didn’t create, something I shared and I’m telling everybody I’m taking responsibility, then that’s where I sit.”
As part of the same answer, which went on for more than three minutes, Irving added: “I’m not here to compare anyone’s atrocities or tragic events that their families have dealt with for generations of time. I’m just here to continue to expose things that our world continues to put in darkness. I’m a light. I’m a beacon of light.”
But the shadow cast by Irving over the Nets franchise is darker than ever.
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