Free speech proves costly

As some of you may not know the topic in the sports and music world as of late has been anti-semitism. The word means hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.

Basketball superstar Kyrie Irving has been receiving a ton of backlash after posting the documentary “Hebrews to Negroes : Wake up Black America” on Twitter. The Brooklyn Nets Point guard is receiving  so much backlash because the documentary promotes many anti-semitic beliefs. As a result to Irvings actions he was suspended for eight games and has had to go through multiple obstacles just to see the court again. He has had closed private meetings with the commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver about the next steps and whether he deserves to still be granted the privilege to be a part of the National Basketball Association.

Because Irving was so hesitant to apologize the league began to question his character and the thought that Irving may be insensitive he has lost the right to release his latest shoe with NIKE , he has had to take classes on being more sensitive and learning the history of Jewish people. He has also been required to donate $500,000 to Jewish communities. 

In the music world , billionaire Kanye West has faced similar troubles as Irving in the regards of anti-semitism. In the interview on Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs” he made many remarks on the behalf of Jewish people that one can argue as antisemitic. He made statements on his beliefs that “Jewish people have owned the Black voice” and that “the Jewish community, especially in the music industry… they will take us and milk us till we die.” On Oct. 17, he made remarks in a different interview stating that every celebrity has Jewish people in their contract. These remarks have not been taken lightly and have cost West millions. He has lost endorsements , he was stripped of his school , many athletes that signed to his agency have now resigned and decided to part ways , his shoe deal with Adidas will be discontinued but they will still continue to produce his shoes just without Kanye’s name under it. 

Initially two of our generation’s most prolific icons have now sought to be canceled and bashed completely by so many public figures has led everyone to think, is the U.S. really free of speech? Public figures have used their platform to promote their beliefs and thoughts and it has cost them. Whether it has been through peer relationships to endorsements or even their job the decision to speak out on what they believe has come to unimaginable losses and it leaves fans, family and peers to question was it even worth it?