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‘I am an OMNIST’: Kyrie Irving responds to allegations of anti-semitism after controversial tweet

The controversy began when Kyrie Irving posted a tweet promoting a 2018 documentary described as filled with antisemitic disinformation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has responded to the backlash he received after sharing a link to a documentary called ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,’ based on a 2015 book of the same name by Ronald Dalton Jr. Both the book and documentary have been criticized for their antisemitic message.

The controversy began on Thursday afternoon, October 27, when Irving, who has 4.5 million followers on Twitter and 17.5 million on Instagram, posted a tweet and an Instagram story promoting the 2018 documentary described as filled with antisemitic disinformation. Pointing it out first, Rolling Stone writer Jon Blistein, who described the film and the book as “venomously antisemitic,” said, "Both suggest Hebrews to Negroes espouse ideas in line with more extreme factions of the Black Hebrew Israelites, which have a long history of misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and especially antisemitism," reports NetsDaily. Following which, Nets released a statement, as quoted by NBC, saying, “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.” And further added, "Hebrews to Negroes, the book, contains even more instances of antisemitism. The book’s fourth chapter — “When Did Racism Towards Blacks Start?” — starts by falsely suggesting that anti-Black racism can be traced back to key Jewish texts."

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Nets owner Joe Tsai too took it to Twitter on Friday night, October 28, and wrote, "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, “This is bigger than basketball.”

And now addressing his actions, Kyrie on Saturday, October 29, wrote, "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."

However, people still continued to bash him. One pointed out, "This tweet STILL EXISTS," while another wrote, "You can be whatever you want. That doesn’t excuse you endorsing a publication with anti-Semitic messaging, especially with a platform as large as yours. Take the L. Take some responsibility for your negative actions for once in your career."

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