Irving appears to be his own worst enemy
The consensus is that Kyrie Irving is his own worst enemy, refusing to back down from his confusing views on politics, religion, and race relations. He would say that he is the knowledgeable one, and that those who cover or scrutinize him fail to understand his ideologies.
So, when Irving faced the media and refused to apologize for posting on his Twitter feed a link to a film containing antisemitic material, and he also declined to say whether he was antisemitic, he viewed it as a means of protest against a system he feels tries to stifle his freedom of thought.
Irving is not the first NBA player with nonconformist views. He is not the first player who views the media as adversaries. What is troubling is that Irving refused to truly explain his stances and his diatribes are so confusing, perhaps intentionally, that it’s nearly impossible for him to gain support.
He shouldn’t get any support on his latest stance, which was to vigorously defend his right to post a link for “Hebrews to Negroes.” The movie’s goal is to prove that Blacks and Africans were the true original people on Earth, but to do that, the movie makes antisemitic references and Jewish stereotypes.
According to the Anti-Defamation League website, the nearly four-hour film “promotes beliefs commonly found among antisemitic and extremist factions of the BHI [Black Hebrew Israelite] movement, including claims that modern Jews are imposters who stole the religious heritage of Black people and have engaged in a ‘cover-up’ to prevent Black people from knowing their ‘true’ identity.
“While much of the film deals with historical and genetic arguments about various racial and ethnic groups, it also includes extensive antisemitism, including claims of a global Jewish conspiracy to oppress and defraud Black people, allegations that Jews are in part responsible for the transatlantic slave trade, and the claim that Jews falsified the history of the Holocaust in order to ‘conceal their nature and protect their status and power.’ ”
It’s one thing for Irving to believe that Blacks are the original people of the Earth. He is not alone in that belief, but this movie is obviously the wrong vehicle to promote his philosophy. And instead of admitting that, Irving defended his rights until he was suspended for at least five games by the Nets for his refusal to apologize. Finally, late Thursday night, he posted an apology on Instagram that appeared sincere and well written but perhaps too late.
The Nets and the NBA wanted an early apology from Irving, but he appears determined to challenge the system until it ends his career.
Colin Kaepernick kneeled for the national anthem and protested against police brutality, and he was blackballed by the NFL as a result. Irving is not in this category. Irving has not explained his stances. He has not galvanized those he wishes to reach. While he has given money to charitable causes, donated cash to WNBA players, and carried out other philanthropic efforts, he also confuses those who want to understand his cause and his purpose with statements that at times are thoughtful but don’t make much sense.
Before Irving’s apology on Thursday, he spoke with the media and referred to the plight of Black Americans. “Where were you when I was a kid, figuring out that 300 million of my ancestors are buried in America,” he said. “I’m a human being that is 30 years old and I’ve been growing up in a country that’s told me that I wasn’t worth anything, and I came from a slave class and that I come from a people that are meant to be treated the way we are treated every day.”
These are poignant thoughts, but they have nothing to do with antisemitism. Irving can be pro-Black and not antisemitic at the same time. And if Irving wants those who follow him, cover him, and consider him not only a brilliant basketball player but an astute person (in most situations) to understand him, he needs to find a forum to clearly explain his thoughts.
If what he posted gave the perception that he is antisemitic, he has to be courageous enough to admit he was wrong. His stubbornness has only gotten him suspended, and honestly, on the verge of being out of the NBA.
It’s not about his beliefs but rather the headaches he gives his organizations. The Celtics are doing cartwheels that he’s gone, and so are the Cavaliers. He promised this season would not include any drama after last year’s nonvaccination controversy. It took four games for Irving to again be at the center of a non-basketball firestorm.
What happens now is up to the Nets. They can extend the suspension beyond five games. They can release him. They can welcome him back but prevent him from speaking to the media, or Irving can have frank and honest conversations with his teammates, the organization, and the NBA about his principles.
But it takes fortitude to approach these conversations with an open mind and be prepared to learn just as much as you teach. This could be a crossroads in Irving’s career, and it’s up to him whether it will boost or damage his already blemished reputation.