Atlanta’s Black, Jewish Leaders Weigh in on Kanye Controversy

The antisemitic sentiment expressed by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, hit close to home during the Oct. 30 football game between rivals University of Georgia and University of Florida. In what appeared to be a copycat version of Ye’s antisemitic rants, the electronic video board at AIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., where the game was held, read, “Kanye was right about the jews (sic).”

The same message appeared on a building in downtown Jacksonville that weekend, and banners were hung from a highway overpass on the city’s Interstate 10 and at Arlington Expressway that read, “End Jewish Supremacy in America,” “Honk if you know it’s the Jews,” and “Kanye Is Right About Jews.”

Though rivals on the field, leaders from both teams quickly condemned the messages. The University of Georgia and the University of Florida released a joint statement denouncing the billboard’s message. The statement read, “The University of Florida and the University of Georgia together denounce these and all acts of antisemitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance. We are proud to be home to strong and thriving Jewish communities at UGA and UF, and we stand together against hate.”

Victoria Raggs, co-founding and Executive Director of Atlanta Jews of Color Council

As the national conversation continues about Ye’s antisemitic rants and the continued fallout, Black and Jewish leaders from across Atlanta are weighing in on the impact of his comments. Victoria Raggs, co-founding executive director of Atlanta Jews of Color Council, pointed out that Black Jews face both oppressions.

“Ye has been saying defamatory comments about the Black community for a while. Racism and antisemitism are two wings of the same bird,” stated Raggs. She stressed that Jews and Blacks must be vigilant when racism of any form is encountered. “And other communities must stand in solidarity with Jews against antisemitism because it’s just another form of hate,” she stressed.

Richard Rose, NAACP Atlanta Chapter President

NAACP Atlanta Chapter president Richard Rose is in agreement.

“There are no single-issue bigots. Ye has demonstrated he is a bigot in every sense of the word. I believe that even Black people can be white supremacists, as he’s clearly shown,” said Rose.

Rabbi Brad Levenberg of Temple Sinai, co-chair of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Black/Jewish Coalition, affirmed the organization’s commitment to build bridges and celebrate the diversity. The organization has condemned Ye’s comments and those who are inspired by them to act out against others.

Rabbi Brad Levenberg of Temple Sinai, co-chair of American Jewish Committee’s Black/Jewish Coalition

“We find comfort in the myriad of voices that have visibly and audibly condemned these actions. As we continue to experience the rise of antisemitism and racism in Atlanta, we know we are not immune to such activities,” said Rabbi Levenberg.

In Twitter posts on Oct. 9, Ye vowed to “go death con 3 ON JEWISH PEOPLE,” and said, “You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda” in reference to Jews. At the time, the tweets were removed by Twitter. His comments came days after he appeared during Paris Fashion Week with Candace Owens in matching “White Lives Matter” T-shirts.

Shortly after his antisemitic tirade, Ye was dropped as a client by his Hollywood agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Adidas, Balenciaga, Gap, TJ Maxx, Foot Locker, and Vogue have also severed ties with him. A completed documentary about his life that was set to be distributed has been shelved.

Eytan Davidson, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Southeast, indicated that many white supremacist groups have picked up on the antisemitism espoused by Ye. In fact, Davidson mentioned that the Goyim Defense League has been named as the perpetrator of both the Jacksonville and Los Angeles incidents.

“Occurring near the fourth anniversary of the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings, this display of antisemitism is unacceptable and outrageous,” he said. Despite the antisemitic vitriol, however, Davidson was encouraged by the speed and strength of the statements made by both University of Georgia and University of Florida, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Jacksonville Jaguars organization condemning the incidents.

Julie Katz, associate director of the American Jewish Committee

For decades, The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has been a force in fighting antisemitism and building coalitions with other communities. Associate director Julie Katz pointed out that while Ye’s comments are overtly antisemitic, there are less obvious forms that are equally dangerous and damaging.

“Some people feel more comfortable expressing their antisemitic points of view ‘in code,’ so to speak, and these messages are just as dangerous. Age-old tropes about Jewish control of the media, government and banks are part of this false narrative,” she said.

Mark Dawson, co-chair of the American Jewish Committee’s Black/Jewish Coalition

Mark Dawson, co-chair of the American Jewish Committee’s Black/Jewish Coalition, said, “Ye has been structurally checked through the loss of nearly all of his corporate partnerships, including Gap and Adidas. I believe these statements and actions are necessary, important, and appropriate.” Yet, he cautioned, “Any victory laps in checking the repugnant actions of individuals like Ye should be postponed until we get to the root of the institutions that produce them.”

The AJC has several resources available to help combat antisemitism, including a recent piece, “Take Action: 6 Ways to Combat Antisemitism after Kanye West’s Remarks,” which can be found at www.ajc.org/news/take-action-6-ways-to-combat-antisemitism-after-kanye-wests-remarks. In January, the organization will issue its yearly State of Antisemitism in America report.