Stephen Jackson, DeSean Jackson, JR Smith and Kevin Durant have all been caught praising Hitler. Stephen Jackson issues half hearted apology during CNN interview.
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Kevin Durant and JR Smith caught in anti-semitic controversy
It all started when DeSean Jackson posted a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler. Following this, former NBA star Stephen Jackson supported his argument on live Instagram conversations. When the media started seeing this as the perpetuation of anti-Semitism, it caused a backlash.
Kevin Durant and JR Smith were also seen showing their support for such posts by DeSean Jackson. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver also showed his admiration for Nation of Islam Leader, Louis Farrakhan, who is considered anti-Semite by several organizations.
Stephen Jackson issues apology in CNN interview
Stephen Jackson appeared on CNN on Wednesday night, apologizing only for “using the wrong words,” but standing by his support for DeSean Jackson, citing a double standard. He pointed out, that in 2013, Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper, a white football player, was taped saying the N-word at a Kenny Chesney concert.
He was reprimanded and sent to counselling, only to get a multi-year deal at the end of that season. According to Stephen Jackson, DeSean Jackson called him shortly after the incident erupted, saying he was threatened with losing his job.
Wednesday night’s talk with Don Lemon could have been a precious opportunity for Stephen Jackson to come correct, but it came across as a half-hearted apology instead. Lemon pointed out, “Do you understand that that is an anti-Semitic trope about Jews and money — and it’s very offensive, Stephen.”
To which Jackson replied, “Don, can you go back and watch the whole conversation and why we brought it up? We was talking about money — and when I said that he didn’t take it the wrong way. He was saying that people with money wasn’t associated with Jews and I just asked him that. It wasn’t an insult and he didn’t take it as an insult. Our conversation went on and we had a good conversation. If the person who I’m talking to understood what I was saying and he didn’t take it as an insult, I don’t think nobody else should.”
Lemon is seen gasping in frustration several times during this clip, as he tried to educate Jackson on why he erred in saying what he said, though it was all for naught. Jackson unknowingly offended Jews in efforts to back his friend DeSean Jackson, but he’s still failing to acknowledge what he did actually hurt others.
