Deep breath. OK.
This week, Eagles’ DeSean Jackson shared a quote to his Instagram which was attributed to Adolf Hitler.
The quote wasn’t actually uttered by Hitler, but it’s still, as one might guess, super anti-Semitic.
DeSean Jackson then said he had no ill feelings towards Jewish people … but then shared another passage from the same fake thing saying that the Jews will “extort America” as part of their plan for “world domination.”
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, for some reason, then decided to rush to DeSean Jackson’s side, and for the better part of two days doubled down to defend what DeSean had said.
Person he’s on w: "The point is, you did not just say to me that Jews are not trying to divide the black community."
Jackson: "You know that for a fact? … You know who the Rothschilds are? They own all the banks.”
Jackson then said, “I haven’t said one thing that’s untrue yet"
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 8, 2020
It seems silly to say this, but: These comments are anti-Semitic. They’re not “controversial” as some media outlets have referred to them. There’s no controversy here. The comments are just plain old anti-Semitic.
(If anything stands out about this little episode it’s that the two of them are riding with a quote attributed to Hitler! Real Hitler! Actual Hitler!)
“Controversial” is how you’d describe a play with full-frontal nudity. His comments were anti-Semitic. https://t.co/pbZKSdSYqx
— Jane Coaston (@cjane87) July 8, 2020
So yes, they’re anti-Semitic. But they’re also incredibly depressing. And while simply wrong, the background for these comments is more complex than perhaps we’d like it to be, and an example of how power structures can cause historically marginalized groups to turn against each other.
(I guess this is where I disclose that I am Jewish.)
You could write a thesis on how both communities have bought into and espoused stereotypes regarding the other (especially in pop culture). There is a too-long history of racism in the Jewish community in this country and around the world. Essentially: The backdrop for all these thoughts from the two men, as abhorrent and ignorant as they are, is long, complex, and confusing.
So, like most things today, this is a giant, depressing bummer, and also more complicated and sticky than we’d want it to be.
I guess I should just say “this a bad look from Jackson and Jackson,” and move on to the next thing to be sad about. On we go.
[jwplayer zNTlVEki-q2aasYxh]