Former Los Angeles Laker star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote in a July 14 op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter that he was disturbed by recent anti-Semitic remarks from pro athletes and celebrities as well as the lack of outrage over such remarks.
Abdul-Jabbar pointed to the recent statements and tweets from rapper-actor Ice Cube, Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson and ESPN analyst Stephen Jackson (no relation) as examples, as well as comedian-actor Chelsea Handler posting on Instagram that she found a video from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to be “powerful.”
“These famous, outspoken people share the same scapegoat logic as all oppressive groups from Nazis to the KKK [Ku Klux Klan]: all our troubles are because of bad-apple groups that worship wrong, have the wrong complexion, come from the wrong country, are the wrong gender or love the wrong gender,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “It’s so disheartening to see people from groups that have been violently marginalized do the same thing to others without realizing that perpetuating this kind of bad logic is what perpetuates racism.”
He acknowledged that Handler, DeSean Jackson and Stephen Jackson all apologized, although Abdul-Jabbar pointed out that Stephen Jackson was “angry and belligerent” when CNN journalist and anchor Don Lemon called him out during a July 8 interview.
“Celebrities have a responsibility to get the words right,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “It’s not enough to have good intentions, because it’s the actual deeds — and words — which have the real impact.”
The Lakers legend concluded with the call for all forms of injustice to be condemned.
“If we’re going to be outraged by injustice, let’s be outraged by injustice against anyone,” he wrote.
Jewish groups praised Abdul-Jabbar’s piece.
“Thank you @kaj33 for standing up for what is right,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “As we continue to fight for racial justice, we cannot allow #antisemitism or any form of hate to go unchecked.”
“If we’re going to be outraged by injustice, let’s be outraged by injustice against anyone.” Thank you @kaj33 for standing up for what is right. As we continue to fight for racial justice, we cannot allow #antisemitism or any form of hate to go unchecked. https://t.co/FRyNGHjOOs
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 15, 2020
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) similarly tweeted, “Thank you @kaj33
for your powerful piece against anti-Semitism!”
"If we’re going to be outraged by injustice, let’s be outraged by injustice against anyone."
Thank you @kaj33 for your powerful piece against antisemitism!https://t.co/SiAkeNSAU8
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 15, 2020
StandWithUs also tweeted, “When one of the greatest-ever basketball players speaks out on antisemitic hate in sports and culture, it matters. Thank you Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for raising your voice loudly and leading on this issue.”
When one of the greatest-ever basketball players speaks out on antisemitic hate in sports and culture, it matters.
Thank you Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for raising your voice loudly and leading on this issue. @kaj33https://t.co/G0yYHVrcLV
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) July 15, 2020
On the other hand, Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson, was not happy with Abdul-Jabbar’s piece.
“Shame on the Hollywood Reporter who obviously gave my brother Kareem 30 pieces of silver to cut us down without even a phone call,” he tweeted.
Shame on the Hollywood Reporter who obviously gave my brother Kareem 30 pieces of silver to cut us down without even a phone call. https://t.co/XRXPu0NRBW
— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 15, 2020
The AJC condemned Ice Cube’s tweet on Abdul-Jabbar as anti-Semitic.
“Employing an anti-Semitic reference — the age-old canard that Jews are treacherous and money-grubbing — to denounce @KAJ33 for denouncing antisemitism is a new low,” the Jewish group tweeted. “@IceCube, we see your hate.”
Employing an antisemitic reference—the age-old canard that Jews are treacherous and money-grubbing—to denounce @KAJ33 for denouncing antisemitism is a new low. @IceCube, we see your hate. https://t.co/QquWltTDjz
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 15, 2020
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.