The Troubling Trend
As the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, I’ve got a front-row seat to some disturbing trends. In 2019, we tracked more anti-Semitic incidents in America than ever before – a shocking and frightening spike in acts of harassment, vandalism, and violence targeting the Jewish community. From the deadly attacks in Poway and Jersey City to the stabbing in Monsey, New York, the data doesn’t lie. Anti-Jewish hatred is on the rise in a way we’ve never seen.
A Necessary Reckoning
While the country is finally having a long-overdue reckoning around racial injustice, it’s unfortunate that we’ve also seen some high-profile figures express anti-Semitic views. But hey, at least we’ve had some outspoken allies too, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley, and Zach Banner, who have pushed back against the ignorance. It’s been refreshing to see people like Stephen A. Smith eloquently discuss the long, positive history between the Black and Jewish communities.
The Nick Cannon Saga
Speaking of high-profile figures, let’s talk about Nick Cannon’s anti-Semitic comments on his podcast. I’ll be honest, I was pretty surprised by the number of celebrities who initially came to his defense. But you know what they say, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. To Nick’s credit, he’s since apologized and even spent a couple of hours with me at the ADL office, genuinely trying to understand why his words were so problematic.
The Power of Repentance
Look, we’re all human, and we all make mistakes. But it’s how we own up to those mistakes that really counts. I’m not a fan of cancel culture – I believe in the power of repentance and redemption. When people are willing to acknowledge their ignorance, admit their failings, and work to do better, that’s when real progress happens. Freedom of speech is essential, but it starts with a willingness to listen and the humility to learn from others.
An Opportunity for Allyship
At the end of the day, we’ve all been guilty of some form of prejudice or another. But that’s exactly why we need to be allies for each other. Racism and anti-Semitism (Jewish Racism) aren’t just problems for specific communities – they’re issues that affect us all. When we recognize that our fates are intertwined and that we’re stronger together, that’s when real change can happen.
A Call to Action
So let’s use this moment as a wake-up call. Let’s have those brave conversations, acknowledge our blind spots, and work to foster greater understanding. Because when we embrace our shared humanity and strive to learn from each other, anything is possible. Who’s with me?
