Nets guard Kyrie Irving has faced backlash since sharing an Amazon link to an antisemitic documentary via Twitter.
In response to the content of Irving’s tweet, various journalists have highlighted the problematic nature of the work that he shared, prompting responses from Nike, Nets owner Joe Tsai, the Nets organization as well as the NBA.
Irving, who has denied that sharing the film equates to promoting its content, has attempted to clarify his standing while denying antisemitism, though he has not offered a formal apology. After Brooklyn’s most recent game, Irving was not made available to the media.
From Irving’s statements to the film itself and the ensuing responses, here is a summation of recent events.
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What did Kyrie Irving tweet?
On Thursday, Oct. 27, Irving tweeted an Amazon link to a 2018 movie titled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The film is based on a book of the same name, both of which have been described by Rolling Stone as being “stuffed with antisemitic tropes.”
The tweet containing the link, which Irving provided without context, has since been deleted.
Irving returned to Twitter on Saturday, Oct. 29, seemingly to address the response to the film he shared in his original tweet. Within his statement, Irving stated that he is an Omnist and “meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs.”
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” 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.
What is an Omnist?
Merriam-Webster defines an Omnist is defined as someone that believes in all religions. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, an Omnist believes “in a single transcendent purpose or cause uniting all things or people”
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What is ‘Hebrews to Negroes?’
“Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” is a 2018 movie directed, narrated and produced by Ronald Dalton Jr. You can learn more about Dalton by reading his IMDb mini biography.
Here is the Amazon product description for the documentary, which has a runtime of over three hours:
The Movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel by proving the true ethnicity of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Sons of Ham, Shem & Japheth. Find out what Islam, Judaism and Christianity has covered up for centuries in regards to the true biblical identity of the so-called “Negro” in this movie packed with tons of research.
Fact-checking ‘Hebrews to Negroes’
In response to Irving’s tweet that shared the film, Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone outlines the film’s contents, including the various antisemitic tropes that are present throughout the documentary. Blistein mentions that “the book also quotes the infamous antisemitic hoax, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”
USA Today columnist Dan Wolken called Irving’s decision to share a link to the film “a grenade thrown directly onto the wave of antisemitic attacks on Jews that have been smoldering across the country lately.” Wolken, too, outlines the contents of the documentary, which includes a fabricated quote from Adolph (sic) Hitler.
ESPN’s Pablo Torre, who also watched the film, tweeted a screen capture of the fake Hitler quote that is referenced by Wolken. Torre also shared an excerpt from the book of the same name. In the excerpt, Dalton calls the death toll from the Holocaust one of “five major falsehoods.”
Responses to Kyrie Irving
Joe Tsai statement
Late on Friday, Oct. 28, Nets owner Joe Tsai took to Twitter to issue the below statement addressing Irving’s decision to share a link to the film.
I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.
Tsai added that “this is bigger than basketball.”
Brooklyn Nets statement
When asked for a comment by Nets Daily, the franchise issued the following statement:
The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. We 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.
NBA statement
On Saturday, Oct. 29, the NBA issued a statement regarding hate speech, though no specific individuals were mentioned by name:
Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion and respect. We believe we all have a role to play in ensuring such words or ideas, including antisemitic ones, are challenged and refuted and we will continue working with all members of the NBA community to ensure that everyone understands the impact of their words and actions.
Nike statement
Since entering the league in 2011, Irving has endorsed Nike and is one of the brand’s few signature athletes. Nike offered this statement when asked about Irving:
At Nike, we bellieve there is no place for hate speech, and we condemn any form of antisemitism.
Kyrie Irving press conference exchange
After the Nets’ loss to the Pacers on Oct. 29, ESPN’s Nick Friedell questioned Irving on his decision to share a video of Alex Jones to his Instagram story a few weeks ago as well as his “promotion of the movie and the book,” in reference to “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which drew Irving’s ire.
Can you please stop calling it a ‘promotion?’ What am I promoting? I’m promoting it? Do you see me in front of the title? I put it out there, just like you put things out there, right? You put things out there for a living, right? Let’s move on. Don’t dehumanize me up here. I’m another human being here. I can post whatever I want — so say that and shut it down, and move it on to the next question
Kyrie Irving going back and forth with @NickFriedell during the Nets postgame presser 😳#NBATwitter #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Mn2dSsirSN
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) October 30, 2022
Irving was not made available to the media following the Nets’ win over the Pacers on Oct. 31.
