Amazon is reportedly under pressure to either remove or add a disclaimer to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which NBA star Kyrie Irving had seemingly thrown his support behind after sharing a tweet about the movie on social media. The film has since become a bestseller, dethroning all other documentaries on Amazon Video, while skyrocketing in popularity. As previously revealed, Kyrie was suspended for a minimum of five games earlier this month over claims he was spewing hatred onto the Jewish community by endorsing the flick.
Furthermore, Nike suspended its relationship with Kyrie and said they were canceling its plans to release his next signature shoe because of the controversy. And now, it appears as if the attention is diverting back to Amazon, who, according to The New York Times, is being called out for allowing the film to still be on its platform, which the Anti-Defamation League say is incredibly offensive to Jews.
Kyrie Irving posted a documentary about the PROOF of history that black ppl are Jews and you got rolling stone saying it’s “antisemitic” Kyrie didn’t even mention a word… just posted the link to the documentary.
— Tajé Fleming (@Tsavagemofo7) October 29, 2022
In a letter sent to Amazon, they wrote, “The book and the film are designed to inflame hatred and, now that it was popularized by Mr. Irving, will lead directly to the harm of Jews.” The viewpoints in the film are not said to be focused on true historic events; instead, “they are outright antisemitic hate. They amplify longstanding antisemitic tropes about Jewish power, greed, and claims that Jews control the media.”
Even the American Jewish Committee have issued a statement as they urge Amazon to remove both the film and its accompanying book from its site, particularly now that it has received a wide amount of attention from curious people intrigued to learn more.
“Effectively combating antisemitism requires corporate leaders to recognize what antisemitism is and take firm action to confront it,” CEO Ted Deutch expressed. “Amid the controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving’s sharing of a film filled with antisemitic tropes and Holocaust denial, it is critical that Amazon act quickly to remove this blatantly hateful material.”
If Kyrie Irving needs to apologize for sharing a documentary, how many television/newspaper/media executives, producers, etc. need to apologize for the false, racist, stereotypical, depictions of Black people across all media outlets that have led to violence and marginalization?
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) November 3, 2022
In a statement posted to his official Instagram page, Kyrie made it clear he was apologetic for anyone who was offended by him sharing the link to the documentary on social media, stressing that his intent was never to hurt the Jewish community by any means.
“To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post,” he penned, “I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate.”