TMZ’s headline reads: Jamie Foxx Apologizes For Anti-Jewish Remarks
I read Jamie Foxx’s post about Jesus the day before TMZ’s story came out so I was surprised to read TMZ’s inaccurate headline…and even more shocked as I read on.
TMZ wrote:
“Jamie Foxx is apologizing for anti-Semitic remarks he made on social media about Jews killing Jesus…while making a cryptic reference to being betrayed by a “fake friend.”
Jamie’s now-deleted post said nothing about Jews killing Jesus, as TMZ reported. Nor does he acknowledge making anti-Semitic remarks. The only Jewish person Jamie mentioned in his post was Jesus. Here’s what Foxx’s post said:
They killed this dude named Jesus…What do you think they’ll do to you???! #fakefriends #fakelove
Foxx’s post isn’t cryptic at all. It’s obvious he feels betrayed by someone in his circle. He doesn’t say who. Nor does he mention their race. It could be anyone…white, black, Jewish, Asian, Hispanic, etc. Unless someone has personal knowledge that Jamie Foxx is referring to someone Jewish in a racist manner how could his post be taken this far out of context?!
When I read Jamie Foxx’s post, anti-Semitism never crossed my mind because he said nothing about Jewish people. Nor do I see any implication of such. The “they” in his post is a generic “they.” Who doesn’t use the word they when speaking generically about human beings collectively? And what Christian doesn’t use Jesus, our Savior, as a reference for someone who experienced ultimate betrayal?
Who Killed Jesus?
And just for the record, based on my understanding of Scripture, Jews didn’t kill Jesus…Roman soldiers did. Yes, there were Jewish people who wanted Jesus crucified because he went against their religious laws and he claimed to be from God. But there were Jews who didn’t want him crucified.
And can we not forget–Jesus himself was/is a Jew. His mother was Jewish as were his friends and his twelve disciples. Most people, like more than 99.9 percent, who followed Jesus at that time were Jewish! Those who hated Jesus were Jewish. And those who loved and followed Jesus were Jewish. They were all Jewish people!
The Jews who wanted Jesus killed didn’t have the authority to crucify him themselves because they were under Roman rule, so they turned him over to Roman authorities. Pontious Pilate, a Roman official, allowed Jesus’ accusers to decide what to do with him. And the rest is history.
What does that have to do with Jamie Foxx’s post? Nothing at all because his post isn’t about Jews killing Jesus. If you take Jamie Foxx’s post as an offense to Jewish people you’re reaching for something that isn’t there. Foxx’s post has nothing to do with Jewish deicide.
TMZ’s inaccurate reporting helped spread the lie that Jamie Foxx’s post is anti-Semitic, therefore mischaracterizing him. They went on to write that Jewish groups spread the information about Foxx’s post, but really it’s TMZ who spread the lie. TMZ has millions of readers and needs to be more responsible. Other publications obtain their news from TMZ, and you’d think TMZ would want to be a trusted source.
Why Did Jamie Foxx Apologize?
Jamie Foxx put out an apology because that’s how Hollywood works. If you don’t put out an apology when certain groups are offended, you’re canceled even if you know you did nothing wrong. Jamie Foxx didn’t apologize for making antisemitic remarks as TMZ states. He apologized “to the Jewish community and everyone who was offended by my post. I now know my choice of words have caused offense and I’m sorry. That was never my intent.”
Just because someone is offended doesn’t make the accusation true.
At least one Jewish friend came to Jamie’s defense. Mark Birnbaum posted on his Instagram stories: “As a close friend for 20 years @iamjamiefoxx is the most inclusive person out there. He’s got nothing but love for everyone including us Jews. Let’s move onto the next nonsensical story of the day.”
If anyone needs to apologize it’s TMZ to Jamie Foxx. They dangerously mischaracterized him. But I’m sure they’ll smile in his face, wanting to be the first to interview him when they see him.
Hopefully, they will apologize and not simply edit their story. (By “they” I mean TMZ.)