Van Jones appointed himself the spokesperson for Black people at an annual dinner event hosted by a Jewish organization. And his apology “for the silence of [his] community” has sparked a divided debate on social media. In the majority, Black Twitter is nawttt here for Jones speaking on their behalf.
But before we get to the reactions, here’s what happened. According to eJewish Philanthropy, the UJA Federation of New York hosted its Wall Street Dinner on Monday (December 5). Ultimately, they reportedly raised $31 million as a crowd of about 1,400 people listened to themed talks on aiding Ukraine, the legacy of Covid-19, improving food insecurity, and combating antisemitism.
Per EJP, all speakers at the annual dinner touched on antisemitism. But Jones, the keynote speaker, made sure to issue an apology on behalf of a whole race for the words of one man: Ye. The artist has spewed controversial commentary for months, including anti-Semitic viewpoints and showing love to Adolf Hilter.
On Monday, Van began his speech with an apology for Black’s people alleged silence about ongoing Jewish discrimination. The CNN political commentator, whose godmother is Jewish, reportedly encouraged “a renewal of the Black-Jewish civil rights alliance” and slammed Ye, per EJP.
“The reason this country is a democracy at all is because Black and Jewish people have loved each other and helped each other and supported each other,” Van reportedly said. “The best in your community and the best of our community stood together.”
The audience received Jones’ words and returned a loud applause as Jones yelled, “Ye, nay! Ye, nay! Ye, nay! No more, no more, no more!”
Keynoting the @UJAfedNY Wall St dinner, @VanJones68 apologizes to the Jewish community “for the silence of my community” allowing “an African American icon praising Hitler and Nazis, and we act like we don’t know where that hatred came from.”
But he says “the silence is over.” pic.twitter.com/kYxLO7Jikf
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 6, 2022
Twitter Slams Van Jones For Apologizing To Jewish People On Behalf Of All Black People
Though the event happened on Monday, the moment started picking up steam on Tuesday evening. By Wednesday, Jones was a trending topic on Twitter. The reactions ranged from jokey jokes to critical think pieces–and most of the online feedback is not in favor of Van’s blanket apology.
Writer Michael Harriot tore Jones to shreds, calling him “apologetically Black,” in a sarcastic opinion piece for The Grio.
Van Jones doesn’t speak for me nor the entire Black community.
— Jaron Mays @ dsheroes.substack.com (@jaronmays) December 7, 2022
Who asked for this from Van Jones?
Nobody. https://t.co/rNB22hbrZ9
— GoodComfort (@neishneishh) December 7, 2022
Van Jones outchea tryina he the moral authority for black people. Please don’t. Your tap dancing ass doesn’t speak for us. Go lick trump’s ass again. You’re comfortable over there.
— Thee Jeremy Bearimy (@damn_ebs) December 7, 2022
Now who made Van Jones the spokesperson for black people !? pic.twitter.com/L89RJKE859
— M A H O G A N Y ™ (@total_MAEham) December 7, 2022
TF did Van Jones want us to do about Kanye? That guy wouldn’t even listen to his own wife or friends. 😭😭😭
— The Dark Knight (@ViwePotelwa) December 7, 2022
All of those “prominent jewish people” were looking at him with contempt knowing he was selling out his people. Something jewish people would never do.
Van Jones buck dancing for his paycheck.
Much like community d. The Black community releases Van Jones back to the streets. https://t.co/wvvTQpco68
— Ann-Vote to Save Democracy from Domestic Traitors (@PragmaticEbooks) December 7, 2022
“Van Jones, the savior of the blacks!”
This man doesn’t know who he’s in community with. He just likes to talk and make lofty generalizations that make white people feel good. pic.twitter.com/cAyQHvvlYw
— be calm (@MorgBGreat) December 7, 2022
Van Jones apologizing to the Jewish Community for the alleged silence of Black People regarding antisemitism is puzzling. Van Jones has no authority or support to speak on behalf of any group that I know of. We don’t even understand why Van is on mainstream TV #vanjones pic.twitter.com/Xm6oImEDES
— Horace Towns (@thehoracetowns) December 7, 2022
“Van Jones is apologetically Black” was a brutalization 😭 https://t.co/fbUp1iLFOW
— Boblo Neruda (@ka_fle) December 7, 2022
If Van Jones thinks Diasporans are at fault for Kanye saying he likes Hitler? Who is at fault, when Kanye said, our ancestors volunteered to be slaves? Which idea is more provocative, that a man who did a bad thing, is not all bad or, that a people, treated badly, asked for it? https://t.co/jiTFsxEBp2
— Hargrove Jones (@hargrovejones) December 7, 2022
There are literal Nazis marching in Ohio and not one of them is from the Black community. Van Jones, please leave us alone. Leave our community out of this. Look at voting statistics and talk to everyone but us. It’s not the Black community. We just don’t speak on foolishness.
— Leigh Love (@loveleighlove) December 7, 2022
I found the Black people Van Jones represents… pic.twitter.com/mb2jajlbi6
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) December 7, 2022
