Entertainment

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Calls Out Anti-Semitism In Hollywood & Sports

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is questioning how celebrities are getting away with blatantly perpetuating anti-Semitism more and more these days, especially in light of the larger-than-ever exposure of the Black Lives Matter movement. In a new column for The Hollywood Reporter, the NBA legend points out the lack of outrage toward celebrities for spewing anti-Semitic views, despite the growing support for BLM and the fight against systemic racism. In the piece, which dropped just hours before Nick Cannon was fired by Viacom on Tuesday (July 14th) for allegedly expressing anti-Semitic remarks during his rant about white people, Kareem expresses his fear that the lack of explicit outrage towards this anti-Semitism “in the face of sustained prejudice” will cause what he calls an “Apatholypse”—”apathy to all forms of social justice.”

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He goes on to call out certain celebrities by name for their recent anti-Semitic tirades, including Ice Cube, who went on a bizarre Twitter spree last month in which he tweeted a number of “creepy symbols and images,” that “implied that Jews were responsible for the oppression of” Black people. Kareem also condemned NFL player DeSean Jackson for aligning himself with a quote incorrectly attributed to Hitler, that claimed that Jews had a plan to “extort America” and achieve “world domination.” Kareem mentions that former NBA player, Stephen Jackson, an activist and close friend of the late George Floyd, co-signed this horrific quote, although both he and DeSean have since apologized.

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“It’s so disheartening to see people from groups that have been violently marginalized do the same thing to others without realizing that perpetuating this kind of bad logic is what perpetuates racism,” Kareem notes. He also points out that comedian Chelsea Handler, a Jewish woman herself, joined in on the anti-Semitic sentiments—albeit seemingly by accident—by posting a video in support of “notorious homophobe and anti-Semite” Louis Farrakhan on Instagram.

“While it’s possible the words were wrong, celebrities have a responsibility to get the words right,” Kareem insists. “It’s not enough to have good intentions, because it’s the actual deeds — and words — which have the real impact.” He goes on to quote MLK as well as Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” before concluding with, “If we’re going to be outraged by injustice, let’s be outraged by injustice against anyone.”

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Young Thug Reunites With Fan Who Found a Way to Message Him in Jail

Young Thug reconnected with a fan who sent him an unexpected message that helped him stay connected to those closest to him while he was in Fulton County Jail.

The rapper spent several years in jail waiting for his YSL RICO trial, a time filled with uncertainty and few chances to talk to friends and family. Young Thug ultimately signed a plea deal that released him from jail and placed him on 15 years’ probation.

But communication remained a major challenge in the initial months of his detention. Young Thug’s ability to communicate with the outside world was limited, and the question remained who his co defendants were and how their individual legal choices would affect his defense.

About six months after Young Thug entered Fulton County Jail, one fan figured out how to send a message to his iPad. According to Thugger Daily on X, the rapper was stunned by the unexpected message.

That moment recently came full circle when the fan got a meet-and-greet with Young Thug on Monday. Thugger Daily proved he hadn’t forgotten the one who managed to find her way to him during such a difficult time, when the rapper learned her name and knew it was her.

Young Thug’s connection grew from a simple message from a fan into something meaningful. It was difficult to contact loved ones back then, so this unexpected contact became a way for him to stay in touch with the people who mattered most to him.

Young Thug is now out of jail and back to work, touring the United States with his YSL roster. The recent meet-and-greet gave him a chance to reconnect with someone who had been there for him during one of the most uncertain periods of his life.

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A$AP Rocky back in Stockholm as “Don’t Be Dumb” tour hits Sweden

A$AP Rocky has returned to Sweden, bringing his “Don’t Be Dumb” world tour to Stockholm, years after the city became inseparable from one of the most difficult stretches of his career. The artist will be in Stockholm on Monday as part of his ongoing international tour. The visit is significant because of what transpired in Sweden in 2019, when Rocky was arrested and held for nearly a month following an alleged fight.

The incident was a big deal at the time and even drew comments from then-President Donald Trump, who publicly said Rocky should come home. The story became a big one for the rapper, and when he returned to Sweden years later, it was a notable moment on his latest tour.

An artist who had been through such a difficult situation in a country would have easily ruled out returning. Instead, Stockholm is now just another stop on the tour Rocky has been on, playing to large crowds in markets worldwide.

The response to the tour shows the continued demand for Rocky’s live shows. The tour has built momentum on sold out crowds across North America, and the European dates are carrying that momentum to an international audience.

His Stockholm show is also part of a wider year of major touring activity in rap. Don Toliver and J. Cole have also drawn solid crowds on their respective tours, further proving that live performance remains a key tie between hip-hop artists and fans.

For A$AP Rocky, his appearance in Sweden isn’t just another stop on the “Don’t Be Dumb” tour but a return to a place that has played an unusually memorable role in his career. Rocky’s Stockholm stop is yet another chapter in a year defined by new music, major touring, and strong audience support, as the European leg is underway.

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