Following Kyrie Irving’s antisemitic posts last week, the star guard and the Nets will donate $500,000 each towards causes and organizations working to eradicate hate and intolerance. The Nets and Irving will also work with the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate, to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry.
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in a joint statement with the ADL and the Nets. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”
The statement is the first instance Irving publicly took responsibility for his antisemitic posts that were on his social media channels. On Oct. 27, Irving posted a link to the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on both his Instagram story and his Twitter page. The posts were deleted three days later.
“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds. With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding,” Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO, said in the statement. “At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes — whatever, whoever, or wherever the source — as we work toward a world without hate.”
Irving’s social media posts and postgame statements — which he claimed that the shared movie wasn’t antisemitic — following the Oct. 29 loss to the Indiana Pacers were met with public backlash.
Team owner Joe Tsai said in a tweet that he was “disappointed” that Irving chose to “support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation”.
On Oct. 31, a row of fans wearing wearing kippahs and t-shirts reading “Fight Antisemitism” sat courtside at Barclays Center.
“There is no room for antisemitism, racism, false narratives or misguided attempts to create animosity and hate,” Sam Zussman, Chief Executive Officer of BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center said in the statement. “Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to ensure education in these areas. We are putting our prior statements into practice because actions speak louder than words.”
The Nets, Liberty and teams’ affiliated organizations will host a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in partnership with the ADL and other national civil rights organizations, according to the joint statement.