The NY Post has an article on the reaction to Kyrie Irving’s tweet of a link to an ant-Semitic movie. According to the Post’s article:
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.
As noted in the article, Kyrie refused to apologize at a press conference or disclaim any anti-Semitic views. He finally issued an apology after he was suspended indefinitely by the Nets. But my question is: why apologize?
As a Jew, I want all of those who hold anti-Semitic views to self-identify. I say the same about racists. I would rather you continue your rants and self-identify than issue an apology which no one knows is true or is simply a strategy to remove the focus from yourself and stop the negative financial impacts your statements are causing.
Living in the U.S. and being a free speech advocate, I realize that a lot of speech I won’t like, may cause pain and/or upset some. However, you have a right to it. You have a right to believe what you want to believe. When you continue believing things even when they are proven to be wrong, well, you’re just an idiot and no one cares what you say. Many will howl at that saying many will follow such idiots given they are cultural icons, and I say: ok. That is your right under our Constitution. Do I like it? No, but principles matter and limiting an idiot’s free speech is wrong.
Said differently, I am an actions speak loader than words and sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me guy. While I’m often reminded from my better half that words do hurt, my response is always: they do if you allow them to. To Kyrie, how you act matters much more than what you say, so I’ll watch the walk and make my determination about you and your character.
