Kyrie Irving Takes Responsibility for Antisemitic Post; PG, Nets to Donate $500K Each

The Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving and the Anti-Defamation League issued a joint statement on Wednesday.

The Nets and Irving will donate $500,000 each to causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate in our communities.

Howard Beck @HowardBeck

The Nets, Kyrie Irving and the Anti-Defamation League just issued this statement. Kyrie and the Nets will each donate $500,000 "toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities." pic.twitter.com/fMCtankPwS

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

In the statement, Irving says “I take responsibility” for the negative impact of his Instagram post. He also said “I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles.”

The statement from Irving does not include an apology. https://t.co/XJojoxkvhe

Irving gave a statement.

"I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day. 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."

Irving shared a link to a film called "Hennessy to Negroes: Wake Up Black America", which is a "purported documentary" that is "stuffed with antisemitic tropes", "Falsehoods" and "ideas in line with more extreme groups of

Pablo Torre @PabloTorre

So, to be extraordinarily clear here: the quote is (obviously!) fake. Hitler did NOT believe Black people are “The Jewels of God.” They spelled “Adolf” wrong. The citation itself is overflowing with brain-worms.

But this screenshot is *actually from the movie*. Which says a lot!

Pablo Torre @PabloTorre

P.S. This is from the book that the movie is based on. It's written by the same director, and it has the exact same title. He calls the fact that 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust one of "five major falsehoods" (and blames "the Jewish controlled media"). Not subtle! pic.twitter.com/1rorzaIaDl

Irving was not contrite when talking about his posts.

I don't know if I did anything Illegal. I don't know if I harmed anyone. He told reporters that he didn't know if he was going to say that he hated one group of people. Whether you want to watch it or not is up to you. Every day there is something posted. Don't treat me differently because I'm the same as the next person.

The governor of the Nets decried the decision.

Joe Tsai @joetsai1999

This is bigger than basketball

After Monday's loss to the Chicago Bulls, Irving was not available to speak to reporters.

Tania Ganguli @taniaganguli

Sean Marks says Kyrie Irving won't be talking to media today: "We don't want to cause more fuss right now with more interaction with people."

Some eyebrows were raised when the Nets and NBA didn't take action against Irving.

Sarah Todd @NBASarah

Perfect words from @HowardBeck: “COVID-19 is real, vaccines work, the Earth is round, and the Holocaust happened.
Refusal to accept these things doesn’t make Kyrie Irving brave or independent or a free thinker. It makes him Alex Jones with a jump shot” https://t.co/Q7csBSE3i8

NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT

“It hurts me sometimes when we have to sit up here and talk about stuff that divides the game.”

Shaq on Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/r3haGIj0U9

Bruce Arthur @bruce_arthur

The Nets, by the way, haven't done a damned thing publicly about Kyrie Irving other than the owner gently chiding him. But they did fire the coach!

Charles said that he thought he should have been suspended. Adam Silver should have suspended him.

NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT

“I think he should have been suspended.”

Chuck reacts to Kyrie Irving’s social media posts promoting an antisemitic film pic.twitter.com/IOLVVrSv0l

He thinks the NBA made a mistake. People have been suspended and fined for making gay slurs. That was the right decision to make. You should be suspended if you insult the Black community.