That misconception was put to rest when Edelman put out a video on Instagram addressing Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson's recent anti-Semitic social media posts.
Edelman, 34, indicated he didn't always identify as Jewish until later in his life. He didn't specifically indicate when he began to identify as Jewish but cited an anti-Semitic incident against him in 2011.
The three time Super Bowl champion extended an olive branch to Jackson. Edelman invited Jackson to meet him in Washington, D.C. and visit the U.S. Holocaust Museum. In turn, Edelman offered to accompany Jackson to the National Museum of African American of History and Culture. Edelman added the two should then go out "for burgers and have some uncomfortable conversations."
Edelman's gesture is a gracious one. If a white NFL player made racist comments I wonder how many African-American players would be prepared to issue an invitation to the National Museum of African American history. In any case, the ball is now in Jackson's court.
Of course, it is entirely possible Jackson could take Edelman up on his offer, be indifferent to what he sees and hears with the experience entirely lost on him. Or perhaps Jackson (or someone in his camp) attaches conditions and hijacks the event for their own agenda. On the other hand, people are capable of changing their attitudes. So let's see if Jackson accepts Edelman's offer.
It did bother me when Edelman said he didn't want anti-Semitism "to distract from how important the Black Lives Matter movement is and that we need to get behind it." Anti-Semitism isn't a distraction. It is fact of life which must be confronted wherever it may be found - even the African-American community. How can Edelman get behind BLM if it exhibits anti-Semitic attitudes?
If there must be an uncomfortable conversation then the question of anti-Semitism in BLM and the African-American community at large must be answered.
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