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Andrew LopezESPN
Atlanta — New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCallumAs president of the National Basketball Players Association, Mr. Kyrie IrvingThe social media posts about the anti-Semitic film and subsequent controversy can be used as an educational moment for all players.
McCollum made his first public statement about Irving on Saturday night after the Pelicans lost to the Atlanta Hawks.
“I think the big part is that he apologized,” McCollum said, referring to the apology Irving posted on Instagram hours after being suspended by the Brooklyn Nets.
“He’s showing empathy now. It was a learning experience and I don’t think he understood the importance of the film because he didn’t see it. He didn’t understand the importance of the people affected.” I don’t think I had, how they were affected, how quickly the hatred spread, and how this snowballed.
In Thursday night’s apology, Irving said the film he posted “contained false anti-Semitic statements, stories, and language that is untrue and offensive to the Jewish race/religion.” He added that he took full responsibility for the post.
“Kylie and all of us can specifically speak for myself.”
McCallum said he had been in conversations with the league throughout the process since Irving’s post was up. Said it wasn’t out until after Server said he was selling the team.
“We had conversations behind the scenes just like we do now,” McCallum said. “I’m talking to the league. I’m talking to people in positions of power. I’m talking to people from a Jewish background to get more information and knowledge personally.”
“Because this is an ongoing situation and I’m still gathering information and they were still deliberating on what decisions to make, I’m not comfortable talking about certain things about servers. I’m still not good at speaking.”
Asking Irving why he’s not as outspoken as he is to Thurber, McCollum said he can only speak for himself.
“I can’t speak to players’ reactions or what they do in their spare time,” he said.
McCallum also said Irving’s post could teach players about the power of social media, where players like Irving have thousands, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of followers.
“The important thing to learn about this situation is that you have a platform, and you have to be careful how you use it,” he said. “Anything you post should be vetted. I think this is a situation we can all take advantage of as a learning experience as players….we should be careful about what we post.
“You need to know exactly what it is and you need to study and educate yourself about all religions, all backgrounds, all races so that you feel comfortable talking about it. I think it’s an unfortunate situation that has affected so many people.
With Irving apologizing and his suspension handed down, McCollum said everyone can take a step forward in the right direction.
“First and foremost, it’s important to condemn anti-Semitism,” McCallum said. “I believe in social justice for everyone, not just black people. This is a social justice issue. This is a social justice situation that continues to be addressed. I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
