Julian Edelman, great receiver of the New England Patriots, who is Jewish, invited the great receiver DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles to the Holocaust Memorial Museum of the United States in Washington, after Jackson’s anti-Semitic publications on social networks.
“I have seen DeSean play in his career, make great football games, we communicated on social media. I only have respect for his game. I know he said ugly things, but I see an opportunity to have a conversation, “said Edelman in an Instagram video posted Thursday morning.
“I am proud of my Jewish heritage, and for me it is not only a question of religion. It is also a question of community and culture,” he added. “I am unusual because I did not identify myself as a Jew until later in my life. Whenever I encountered hatred, I never really felt that it was directed against me. that after being part of this community I learned how destructive hate is. Anti-Semitism is one of the oldest forms of hate. It is rooted in ignorance and fear. “
Edelman tweeted Friday that he had spoken with Jackson.
DeSean and I talked for a while last night. We plan to use our experiences to educate each other and grow together. Stay tuned.
✊????✊????✊????✊????✊???? @ DeSeanJackson10– Julian Edelman (@ Edelman11) July 10, 2020
Edelman, 34, told Jackson, 33, that if he visited the Holocaust Museum, he would welcome a trip with him to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC to find out more. on Jackson.
“I don’t want to distract from the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and the way we have to stay behind. I think the black and Jewish communities have a lot of similarities,” Edelman said in the video.
“An unfortunate similarity is that they are both attacked by the ignorant and the haters. It is really hard to see the challenges that a community can face when you are not part of it. So, what we need to do, is that we have to listen. ” We have to learn. We have to act. We must have these uncomfortable conversations if we really want to change. “
In addition to Edelman, Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz, who is also Jewish, posted on Instagram.
Schwartz, 31, wrote: “I hope we can use this moment to shed light and raise awareness of the hatred and oppression that the Jewish community still faces while being strong with the movement. Black Lives Matter. We can only have change if we speak out against racism and prejudice in all its forms. Our platforms as athletes are a powerful tool, and with them comes immense responsibility. We can all do better. “
In Edelman’s Instagram video, he said he was on the receiving end of an anti-Jewish insult during a game in 2011.
“There is no room for anti-Semitism in this world,” said Edelman. “This world needs a little more love, compassion and empathy.”
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