Late last year, Ye, the artist FKA as Kanye West went Defcon 3 as he alluded to a 2024 presidential run.  Whether intentional or not, Yeezy made some comments that angered white-skinned Jewish folk. 

At the same time, NBA all-star Kyrie Irving shared a clip from the documentary Hebrews to Negroes which alludes to black folk being the “original Jews.”   White Jews weren’t too happy about that either.

These two unapologetically black men ignited the powder keg and ended 2022 with a bang.  The smear campaign began and both were immediately labeled as antisemitic and penalized financially.    

On this episode of Church on the Block, guests David Goldenberg, Midwest Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, founder of Mishkan Chicago a Jewish spiritual community drop in to discuss the impact on the white Jewish community. 

“Jews have been subjected to antisemitic tropes for not just years or decades but literally centuries if not longer,” explains Goldenberg.   “We’re facing a historic high in the number of antisemitic incidents that are occurring.”

Ye FKA Kanye West goes Defcon 3

“When a high-profile figure like Ye posts something like I wanna go Defcon 3 on Jewish people, what that does is recalls in the memory and body of every Jewish person the fear in the knowledge that that type of language has absolutely led to the hurting, the persecution, the oppression the torture and killing of millions and millions of Jews,” explains Rabbi Lizzie.   

“The thing about antisemitism is it’s not just about hatred towards Jews.  There’s often a conspiratorial element to it as well.  Like the Jews have too much power and control.  That they’re more loyal to Israel than to their own country, Goldenberg elaborates. 

Kyrie Irving and the Hebrew Israelites

“Jews are black, white, Asian.  You know every nationality and ethnicity,” Rabbi Lizzi explains.  “And to sort of juxtapose black and Jewish as if it’s black and white; that is reductionist and it’s false.  It’s an oversimplification and it’s also dangerous.  At the end of the day, both Jews and Black Americans are targets of white Christian nationalism.”

The truth is that white-skinned Jews have historically benefited in ways that black folk never have and still do.  Including receiving reparations.  But ya’ll not ready for that conversation!

Race and ethnicity as social constructs have been used throughout history for political and economic gain.  How does that change when it’s ingrained in our human psyche?  There is no political party or ideology that can replace seeing through the lens of Jesus Christ and living and operating in that truth.  And in order to do that, we have to seek God first, ask him to reveal himself, and be open to receiving the gift of “sight.” 

What do you think about the Ye and Kyrie Irving comments regarding “Jews.”  We want to hear from you.  Please leave us a comment.  Remember to tune in to Church on the Block every Sunday morning at 10 am est. | 9 am cst. on Holy Culture Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 154.  And follow our hosts, Pastor Phil, Pastah J and DJ Ruckus on Twitter to join the conversation. 

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