Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson took to Instagram Monday, posting virulently anti-Semitic messages including a quote he attributed to Hitler, saying:
“[white Jews] will blackmail America. [They] will extort America, their plan for world domination won’t work if the Negroes know who they were.”
Jackson also quoted the noted anti-Semite Minister Louis Farrakhan on both Saturday and Monday.
Jackson was quick to state has no problem with the Jewish community and that his statements were being taken the wrong way:
“Anyone who feels I have hate towards the Jewish community took my post the wrong way…I have no hatred in my heart toward no one!! Equality. Equality.”
Jackson has since removed the offensive posts amid outcry from Eagles management, saying in an apologetic video:
“… I just probably should have never posted anything that Hitler did, because Hitler was a bad person, and I know that. I was just trying to uplift African Americans and slavery and just enlighten my people. … I didn’t intend any harm or any hatred toward any people. … I’m for love and I extend it every day.”
Why should “uplifting” African-Americans involve replacement theology and anti-Semitism? Calling African-Americans “the real Jews” is not uplifting, it’s an attempt to delegitimize the Jewish community. Hitler is not the source of “enlightenment” for any people. And by quoting him, even in error, one shows the utmost in hatred and contempt for Jews – even if that isn’t a reflection of that which is in one’s heart.
And how can a quote attributed to Hitler be taken “the wrong way”?
Farrakhan is lauded for his ideas and actions on behalf of black empowerment; Farrakhan’s brand of “black empowerment” does not involve empowering Black Jews, or Black LGBTQ+ people for that matter. It does the Black community no favors to recreate the same oppressive hierarchies that plague the world at large. Following leaders who would suggest that one do so is counterproductive.
DeSean Jackson could likely use some “enlightenment” and a more diverse repertoire of pro-Black voices. If one is drawing inspiration from anti-Semites, any statement that could follow will be steeped in hatred. Uplifting African-Americans should include uplifting all members of the Black community, and that includes Jews.