At first, without thinking, rage was the appropriate response to seeing Meyers Leonard return to the NBA, as it was reported that on Tuesday he would sign a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks after almost nothing join the tournament. two years after uttering an obscene word on a video game live stream. The immediate visceral reaction should be attributed to Leonard not only spewing out any derogatory term but also the most derogatory thing anyone could utter to a member of the Jew.
Leonard says a two-word phrase “kike bitch” with conviction as if he had used the term before while playing call of duty. It’s unclear if he used these words to describe a Jew playing next to him, but it was clear that someone was quick to lean in his ear to let Leonard know how bad it was. he made a mistake when he said the two words, as he didn’t receive a word on the phone call that started a few seconds after he said the disgusting phrase. According to American Jewish Committeeanti-semitic profanity may have come from the Yiddish word kikel meaning circle, referring to Jewish immigrants signing their entry forms at Ellis Island with circles as opposed to cross, which Jews associate with Christianity.
A second chance is worth it – if earned
It will always be difficult for Leonard to get through such an incident without getting back into basketball and talking about what he learned many times afterward publicly. Second chances are always deserved for those who do the work to earn them. And in my book, as a proud member of the Jewish people, Leonard almost does it. Leonard still needs to make his final offer of peace, showing remorse in front of NBA audiences who mostly know him for what he can do on hardwood and not with a controller. in hand. Audiences know Leonard better when they say kike yes opportunity to see him try various forms of outreach to the Jewish community.
Leonard spoke out about the incident publicly last year with his Chabad home in Illinois, his alma mater, is said to have attended dinner with Holocaust survivors, chatted with Jewish leaders, and participate in a meal distribution program for Jewish families in Miami. according to Chicago Court, Leonard visited the Holocaust museum and organized a basketball camp for Jewish children. In terms of correcting a major mistake, those are all gestures of goodwill. If he doesn’t mess up again and can donate to a Jewish organization in the Milwaukee area, Leonard should be welcome back to the NBA.
It’s impossible to determine what’s worse between Leonard’s actions, with his 23-month absence from the NBA appearing more affected his physical health more than any response from saying anti-Semitic slurs, compared to Kyrie Irving’s promotion of a anti-Semitic project and his refusal to condemn anti-Semitism. It is clear that both are involved in hatred of the Jews, with the latter only apologizing after he was suspended and his salary taken.
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Meyers Leonard and Kyrie Irving’s situations are different – but not because of skin color
I got it. At his best, Irving was a top African-American shootere guard in the NBA, while Leonard is a rotating white major. There were different reactions to both situations that had nothing to do with their skin color. One person was deeply remorseful for using such a disgusting word. That same apology never actually came from Irving. And certainly not until the damage to his exaggerated star has been done. Six days after Irving launched the anti-Semitic project, it has held three different positions on Amazon’s bestseller list for religious and spiritual texts. The audiobook is at number one, the original paperback is at number five, and the edited version is at number seven. The chances of the book making it to the top 7 on the bestseller list without Irving are equal zero. What Leonard said was beyond comprehension. The way Irving acted in that situation was unreasonable.
What Leonard did after being negligent with the Jews is exactly what many of us expect from Irving. Anti-Defamation League initially accepted $500,000 per from Irving and the Nets, but they declined the donation after many of Irving’s comments came to light. And Irving made no further outreach during his time in Brooklyn. It’s hard to believe that Irving doesn’t understand the greatness of what he did wrong, especially now with Mark Cuban, the Jew, who owns the team he plays for. While Leonard’s actions suggest a place to move on from a despicable act, Irving recently removed his post-suspending apology from his social media.
And then there’s comment from LeBron James, who claims he’s proud of the man Irving has become. James has shown loyalty to Irving throughout his turbulent years, whether it be through his anti-Semitic propaganda, his refusal to receive a coronavirus vaccine, or say that the Earth is flat. And James may be lobbying for a reunion this season with Irving after selecting him to his All-Star team last week. Saying you’re proud of the man Irving has become is a slap in the face to a Jew as he shows no consistent remorse for his actions.
Anti-Semitism has no place in the NBA, in sports, or really anywhere, and extinguishing it in any form is an ongoing war. Leonard’s re-entry into the league may be met with opposition from some. But he, unlike Irving, has shown the ability to change. I still hope we’ll see Irving do something for Jewish community when the season is over and he won’t have to focus on winning the championship with Luka Doncic. After all, Leonard has been essentially unemployed for two years, and Irving has never lost his job. How long does it really take to write a check to a Jewish charity? Or spend a day visiting a Jewish place of worship or a museum, where there are does not lack in New York and also exists in Dallas? Scan Leonard and Irving’s actions under the rug maybe, but only one of them acts like they’re really sorry.
