I am a sneaker-head and have played basketball since the age of 11. There are very few things I enjoy more in the world than unboxing a new pair of Jordans and hitting the court or watching an NBA game marveling at the graceful athleticism on display. 

Kanye West has been one of the most influential figures in fashion and sneaker culture. His Yeezy brand has some of the most coveted shoes of the past 10-15 years and are worth thousands of dollars on the resale market. His impact on sneaker culture is huge. Kyrie Irving has been one of the most electrifying basketball players in the world. His skills are generational, and he’s a perennial all-star that has won an NBA championship alongside LeBron James.

In the past few months, they both launched attacks on Jewish people. West’s attacks were blatant and calculated; Irving’s actions, in my opinion, probably weren’t intended antisemitism.  However, the impact was the same for both. Their actions legitimized antisemitism and encouraged evil to emerge from the shadows again. The overpass banners re-appeared on highways, hateful messages were projected on the side of a stadium during a major college football game, and an antisemitic documentary that was probably largely unwatched is now in the spotlight for all to see and be influenced by.

I did not want to jump to conclusions in this age of cancel culture, so I educated myself on what happened in both cases and ignored the biased commentary; I wanted to go to the source. So, I read the tweets, I researched the documentary, I listened to a candid interview with West, and watched the interviews Irving gave.

Irving put out a written apology but refused to acknowledge it in front of the media. He subsequently was dropped from Nike and suspended from the NBA. West stood steadfast with his comments and continued down his hateful path at great financial cost and public scorn.

These two individuals are not politicians or part of a known hate group – they are giant figures in fashion, music, and sports. They have MILLIONS of social media followers and are fixtures in two of my favorite pastimes, where I always felt safe to escape from the stress and uneasiness of the world. Ironically, sneaker culture is about expression and inclusion – it’s about coming together regardless of who you are and where you come from. Likewise, basketball is about coming together as a team, bringing your specific skills and talents to work towards a common goal. 

West and Irving have tainted the purity of these worlds, which makes me sad and angry, but most alarmingly, I’m nervous that this is the continuation of a larger movement of intolerance we’ve seen escalate in the last few years. At the end of November, NPR’s All Things Considered featured a segment on the recent rise in antisemitism, citing Anti-Defamation League research that “2022 will look a lot like last year,” which was the “highest year on record for documented reports of harassment, vandalism and violence directed against Jews.” Similar stories have been featured on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, The New York Times and other major news outlets as well.

I’ve faced antisemitism throughout my life. Some was matter of fact ignorance that I looked past. Other instances were jokes with punchlines containing stereotypes at the expense of Judaism or Jewish people. I never felt in physical danger, but frequently felt like an outsider. I am a private person by nature and blending in is not out of character for me. However, the last few months have put me on high alert. I am more sensitive now to things I hear in the media and in everyday life. It is not a good feeling– especially living in the U.S. where everyone has the right to live their lives free of prejudice and hate.

No one can predict where this will go, but without real change, I believe we are headed down a dangerous path. The world needs to get back to the art of conversation with the goal of understanding and compromise. Whether it is a political debate or a discussion about cultural differences, let’s seek to understand others and their viewpoints. Disagreement is inevitable, but the world would be a better place if we stop forcing agendas and start empathizing with others. Maybe that would lead to more win-win scenarios instead of acts of misguided or ignorant hate.

I’m extremely #AvanadeProud to be a part of an organization that embraces Inclusion & Diversity. North America President Eric Miquelon immediately sent a heartfelt note as a “stand against hate and discrimination in all forms” following the antisemitic events in California in October. Avanade’s commitment to corporate citizenship and thriving community networks like the Jewish Employee Network (JEN) provide so many people the opportunity to either strengthen their own cultural bond or learn about someone else’s. There are so many ways that our people show support – and are supported – throughout our organization. It gives me hope.

We all have a part to play in ending antisemitism and many options to get involved. Before the holidays, the JEN Newsletter featured information about the SHINE A LIGHT initiative and the wealth of resources to help educate and take action against antisemitism. Jan. 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, and our employee network will host a special event to remember those that lost their lives during the dark time of the Holocaust and hear survivors Edith and Kurt Leuchter tell their story.

Whether big or small, any way you can show your support will help. Together we can make a difference and do what matters.