Julian Edelman emphasizes education in response to DeSean Jackson’s anti-Semitic posts
New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman pushed a need for education in response to DeSean Jackson’s recent anti-Semitic posts on his Instagram account.
Edelman shared a video Thursday in which he asserted his love for his Jewish heritage and decried all forms of anti-Semitism. The Super Bowl 53 MVP also recounted an on-the-field incident in 2011 when he was called a Jewish slur.
But the most rousing part of Edelman’s video was his acknowledgment that this conversation shouldn’t detract from the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Citing both communities’ history of oppression, the three-time Super Bowl champion suggested that Jackson join him in Washington, D.C., to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“It’s really hard to see the challenges a community can face when you’re not part of it,” Edelman said. “... We need to listen, we need to learn and we need to act. We need to have those uncomfortable conversations if we’re going to have real change.”
WARNING: VIDEO INCLUDES ANTI-SEMITIC SLUR
The backlash toward Jackson originated from him sharing an excerpt of a book that appeared to quote Adolf Hitler.
Although the quote’s origins are rather murky, the passage, which Jackson posted on his Instagram story during Fourth of July weekend, said Jews “will extort America” because “Negroes are the real children of Israel.”
“To keep America’s secret the Jews will blackmail America,” read an earlier portion of the excerpt.
Jackson’s Instagram story followed what appeared to be a heavy dose of speeches from Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader who has a well-documented history of anti-Semitic and homophobic comments. The Philadelphia Eagles receiver also shared several, since-deleted posts about Farrakhan, with one even referring to him as “powerful.”
What do I get the impression DeSean Jackson didn’t think this one all the way through pic.twitter.com/eJUjANNXXy
— Dave Loughran (@Loughy_D) July 7, 2020
Both the Eagles and the NFL were quick to denounce Jackson’s posts. The Eagles called them “offensive, harmful and absolutely appalling” while ensuring that they “will take appropriate action.”
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 7, 2020
The NFL also deemed his comments “highly inappropriate, offensive and divisive.”
NFL statement on #Eagles WR DeSean Jackson:
“DeSean’s comments were highly inappropriate, offensive and divisive and stand in stark contrast to the NFL’s values of respect, equality and inclusion. We have been in contact with the team which is addressing the matter with DeSean.”— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 7, 2020
Jackson apologized Tuesday, claiming he was “just trying to uplift African Americans” and never intended “to put any race down or any religion down.”
