By COLlive reporter
New York Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, who represents the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn which includes Crown Heights, has drawn criticism for her support of a television personality who has been condemned for shocking statements about Jewish people last week.
Nick Cannon, a TV show host and multimedia entrepreneur, came under fire last week for a series of anti-Semitic comments he made on his podcast, where he called Black people the “true Hebrews” and included anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
After his comments went viral, Cannon was fired by the ViacomCBD production company from his various television production jobs.
In response, Richardson expressed her support for Canon in an Instagram story and posted a list of channels owned by Viacom, urging a boycott.
The Ker a Velt group in Crown Heights, which recently organized a Chassidic march in support of the Black community, attempted to reach out to Richardson, but were blocked from her account.
“When Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson posted support for Nick Cannon on her social media, two members of Ker A Velt reached out to her, as her constituents. We hoped to have a dialogue, asking for clarification, especially in light of the recent onslaught of anti-Semitic remarks from high profile celebrities,” they wrote. “Assemblywoman Richardson blocked these two constituents without further explanation.
“As Jewish people, being represented by Diana Richardson, we are concerned about the fact that she is not engaging with us, especially in relation to her post that spread an antisemitic statement. Furthermore her choice to block our members means she has refused to take a definitive stance in her support of the Jewish community, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that elected officials may not block critics,” Ker A Velt wrote.
Cannon has since publicly apologized for his comments, stating: “I hurt an entire community and it pained me to my core.” He has also hosted Rabbi Avraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Center on his podcast to discuss anti-Semitism and intolerance.
Richardson, however, doubled-down on her defense, writing on Facebook, “I support Nick Cannon – when asking why… signer and song writer Neyo summed it up best: “We’ve all made mistakes. Amazing how easily people forget that while in an attempt to crucify someone else.”
Crown Heights activist Yaacov Behrman commented: “Diana Richardson, I consider you a personal friend. We’ve worked together for the betterment of the community for years. We have always been candid with each other. Your Instagram post was deeply problematic and completely out of line. You called for the boycott of a company that fired Nick for anti Semitic rhetoric. And you wrote that you have his back! Nowhere in that Instagram post did you condemn his hateful rhetoric! I was deeply offended & disappointed to see a leader and friend, who has been outspoken against racism, ignore anti-Semitic behavior. Hate is hate and should not be tolerated.”
Richardson later replied to Behrman, “My position is my position,” and then said that while she will respond to him, she insinuated that she does not have to answer to other constituents who “aren’t active.”
“As far as I’m concerned there is more important things for me to do then to keep repeatedly “explaining myself” to people who are “demanding” yet who aren’t “active” in the community in general,” she wrote.
And now you understand why as Jews in the community should never support such ppl bc at the end of the day they hate us as much as they hate police and not matter how many times they say sorry there is always another one making a anti sematic comment and no one says anything.
If you just read the post of the councilwoman, you will see that she didn’t say anything that bad. in fact, i completely agree with her. people shouldn’t be
cancelled just because they say something that we disagree with. and yes, discussing race isn’t off limits in a free society.
It was anti-Semitic and the company has every right to fire him.
Watch the video and see for yourself.
No one has a problem with her saying “people make mistakes”. The issue is that she never recognized the mistake, she jumped to defend him before anyone from the Jewish community even stood up. She didn’t oppose his statements. She didn’t deny their accuracy. She rejected an entire community of her constituents. Then, in the end, she wants to only defend Cannon. That’s not how this works. She needs to be out of office.
Maybe now our “Woke” Jewish neighbors will finally see who they are protesting for/with!
Here’s an idea: consider buying up land outside of Crown Heights (outside of NY even) and building the community elsewhere – bigger and better! Bring the treasures at 770 along and build a memorial in the new community location. Let the area turn into a ghost town or a mecca for the homeless and see how the NY politicians like it. I’m not seeing businesses rushing to NY with DiBlasio and his cop-hating leftist cohorts in charge. Sounds crazy? Or is it? Crown Heights is NOT Eretz Yisroel.
How dare she say that she doesn’t have to answer to constituents because they are not active?!
Who does she think pays her salary!?
Her tax paying constituents!!
He have to all so some soul searching to see what is really behind all this that we are living through.
We must stop the infighting and unite.
Well Yaacov:
you I and many of us helped her in office we vouched for her, urged the community to throw our support towards her. we voted, She got in, now she doesnt need you anymore,,,, its the way politics work, im sure you are aware of it, what a shame.
Nick canon was only fired from one of his Gigs and not all of them. Diana is being so outright anti Semitic she should be penalized, especially writing her views on Instagram which will insight more hate.
The fact that someone – black or white – said something anti-semitic shocks you? The fact that this someone is an elected official is what upsets you? Please… this is not news for Jews. Instead, I actually took pleasure in reading this because: 1) It is always a good thing to have clarity. Most politicians will just say what they need to say and pretend to be your friend. I need not elaborate; it is a clear Mishna in Pirkei Avos. The fact that this witch exposed herself (making a witch hunt unnecessary…), just allows us to understand exactly where… Read more »
When an April 16, 2018 Brooklyn community board meeting discussed gentrification in the borough, one resident noted that people were constantly ringing her doorbell to ask if she’d consider selling her house. “It must be Jewish people,” exploded Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, immediately echoing classic anti-Jewish stereotypes that Jews somehow seek to harm others. Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diana Richardson Another Brooklyn Assembly member, Carl Heastie rebutted Richardson’s outlandish claims, and later dressed her down in front of the entire Democratic caucus. Since then, revelations have emerged of Richardson’s unhinged behavior in other political meetings, as well, and calls are mounting for… Read more »
Really? You add Vice President Pence? The same guy who is VP to Donald Trump? You know, the same Trump who said that there are “good people” amongst those white fascist protestors shouting “Jews Will Not Replace Us”?
we should represent ourselves jews represent jews blacks represent blacks
Which is why I made the “crazy” suggestion in an earlier post (if it gets posted) to round up every Yiddish resident in CH and move to a another location to build an even bigger and better community. Big enough hopefully to have a Yiddish (Orthodox) mayor!
At the same time, the rebbe spoke so strongly about maintaining our community here. For those that have the resolve to stay, may the rebbe give us the kochos to do so!
Given the unprecedented rise of anti semitism as unfortunately is becoming normalized and mainstream due leftist politicians and several traitors of the tribe , is vital to vote and start to place also some Jewish voices as representatives. Also please stop marching with BLM they are our enemy, one thing is solidarity and respect to all colors and creeds and other is marching with the enemy. Also please be more loving and considerate of Black Jews they are in a tough situation and deserve more empathy and respect..
It was Trump, the Republican, who said that the protestors in Charlottesville shouting “Jews Will Not Replace Us” are good people.
That statement was taken out of context. Look it up.
So I changed my political registration to Democrat in time for the primary — as requested, right? And I voted for Chaim Deutch and Jesse Hamilton, two very good people. But it didn’t help, did it? So now I’ve sent in papers to switch back to Republican.
Primaries are coming next year for Mayor and city Council
So long as NYC remains in demoncrat control, your republican vote is just wasted away. Stay registered as democrat as a strategy to vote in the primaries and help get better people in office.
The problem is we need more people getting out to vote so work on your friends, family and neighbors to understand how important it is for them to go vote. We won’t get anywhere if we have low voting numbers and that’s been our problem with every election lately- low voter turn out.
I’m in a similar situation in a predominantly Yiddish suburb of Montreal.They keeping voting for the Liberals because of one Jewish Liberal representative (non-observant, of course) who is aligned with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a Muslim-loving leftist who is killing Canada and is no friend of Jews or Israel. I still voted for the Conservative party; not much of an improvement but at least pro-Israel.
What you see is what you get. They are all the same and there is no point in wasting money and time with the action committees, or any committee
Well, there you have it…. you rally for them, they turn their backs on you. Its sadly something that’ll never change-when was the last time you saw the “woke” people protesting antisemitism (which by the way- rose by A LOT in the past couple of months and a lot more in the recent weeks)? Right- never. (if there was indeed a protest or actions taken by the mainstream public in recent days against antisemitism that I have not heard about-reply to this comment and tell me.) Face it, that’s life.
She repeatedly holds “meet and greet” family fun days on SATURDAYS. I always see the posters up around the part of Crown Heights I live in. Yes, she shows up for photo-ops at Jewish-organized events or press conferences. But when it comes to HER reaching out to what she considers “her constituency,” it’s ON SATURDAY. Very simply, to her, WE JEWS DO NOT COUNT. But also, as this article makes clear, it’s even worse than this. She clearly has disdain for us. Just look at how she treated our beloved Yaakov Behrman, above — someone who would be the last… Read more »
You want to change things .Vote!
YOU kept her in office and have no right to complain now.
Get the word out, please. There is still the general election this fall that determines who will hold that assembly seat.
The election she just won was only the primary election.
There are plenty of non-Jews, along with Jews, that take a dim view of Ms. Richardson’s latest antics, and of her record as a member of the NY State assembly so far.
This rep speaks from both sides of the mouth AT BEST! But we need more reporting on her voting record, her ways of relating to unser kehillah, etc.
There is no possible way that the endorsed Democrat loses this district. The Dems could endorse a serial killer and he’d win.
She won with a good majority so she is in period and will be for 2 years. I recommend you try to get involved in her office and make a difference. If she sees people going out of the way to be involved this will make a positive difference. To keep criticizing and throwing her under the bus will definitively not make her more caring towards our community. its easy to judge her and call it a day; it takes effort to cultivate a positive relationship but this is the only way if you want to see a change. Otherwise… Read more »
Can she agree that police officers can also sometimes make mistakes??
Stop complaining about everything! Why are you so surprised when black politicians and other non-jews look out for their community. Do we really suffer from tunnel vision? You have the opportunity to vote like everyone else. I don’t hear anyone complaining about the number of people still not wearing a mask in Crown Heights or the number of in-person shiurim were people are not social distancing. By the way, I don’t hear anyone complaining about what is going on in Oregon. By the way, we all drank from the Koolaide now is the time to admit we were deceived and… Read more »
I agree with the part she says about allowing people to make amends, grow and correct themselves.
what else do U want ?
I agree with the part she says about everyone making mistakes and allowing people to correct themselves and change. Put the shoe on the other foot; if out of ignorance you made a racist comment about black people (believe me I have heard many such comments), wouldn’t you want a chance to do teshuva? I think the network was correct to fire him though, to show where they stand, and to make an example out of him. It’s enough that he lost his job though. As a community we need to realize that not everyone who makes an antisemitic comment… Read more »
Enough of the complaining; yes; we should judge others how we want to be dealt with. We may be people of the book, but we are not perfect, not with our own or those different than us. The Assembly Member simply tried to highlight the fact that HE DID APOLOGIZE even though he got flack from his own people. And he even took it to the next level by going on an interview with Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Center and had a very respectful and sincere conversation. If we can not accept people’s apologies, that why would… Read more »
Disgusting!!
She should be forced to resign!
Can you imagine if a Jewish Assembly man/woman said something so outrageous!!!
They would put before you could blink your eyes!!
Really? Hmm… Dov Hikind wore blackface and an afro wig for Purim February 2013 and he kept his job. He even defended his position, “This is political correctness to the absurd.” He apologized days later under political pressure.
He was not forced to resign. He is still active in the Jewish community.
There was no reason for him to resign. What Cannon said was antisemitic; now he says he’s sorry and wants to be educated so he’ll understand what not to say next time. I say accept his apology. But Viacom still did the right thing in firing him, and Richardson’s anger at that is uncalled for and betrays that she regards antisemitism as a peccadillo at worst.
I’ve never had any problems with her. I have found her to be kind and thoughtful.
Our community needs to be engaged with her during the good times as well not only when we have complaints maybe that’s what she is referring to. shes a nice person with great staffers who are open to hearing from all of their constituents. She attends and hosts many community events . Sigh up for her newsletter and join her social media. Start engaging with her office and show some support.
See the comment from Mrs. W., below!
She attends and hosts MANY events: Hosting on Saturdays, our Sabbath, and attending when there’s a photo-op, which is not meaningful help to our community.
I “started engaging with her office,” and was met with a temper tantrum from her.
So, sorry: no “showing of support” from me. She had her chance. NO MORE.
All elected officials take pictures at events. She hosts and attends a myriad of events that are not on Saturdays. Try showing up at one and get to know her a bit you will be surprised. In the summer she hosts” talk to me Tues” ANY constituent can call her office and request a meeting with her.
Not a yid. Her staff members post here to try to clean up hey political mess. They did this last time she said controversial things
This woman will find out how NON-ACTIVE I am when I vote for her opponent next time she’s up for re-election.
You know what they say, the one who laughs last, laughs the longest !!!
The election for her Assembly seat is this November, on the same election day as for President of the U.S.
MAKE SURE YOU GO AND VOTE!!!!
She is in for two and a half more years; Primary is over and no one is running in the General unless they sneak in a Democrat Socialist (which is the new up and coming party that just snatched 5 seats-it could be a lot worse) so you can either work with her to influence a positive demeanor towards jews or keep complaining.
Your choice
If you don’t like what you see from her, and I find it vile, wake up and vote! Crown Heights Jews often get behind POSs like her. It’s unfathomably ridiculous.
Why is anyone surprised that she is an anti semite? This is the future of the Democratic party. Elliott Engel was recently defeated and an anti Israel democrat was elected in his place, Biden plans to put Beto in his cabinet should he win the election. Do the research, Beto voted against the Iron Dome. Don’t be suprised if the 2024 Platform of the Democratic party is anti Israel.. We Jews better wake up!!!
I think many of these negative comments are from UNengaged constituents or perhaps those who thought she would co sponsor bills or vote in favor of Bills THEY supported because they deem themselves to be of “importance” . SORRY she doesn’t ROLL that way! Shes NOT bought or paid OFF! EVERYONE has a voice with her!
Everyone has a voice with her… except CH. Do you think she would’ve said the same thing if Cannon said something racist?
What you say doesn’t point to her so-called ‘integrity’…it points to
her lack thereof.
As a yid can say that I am looking at the FULL picture , I am aware of legislation that she has supported what what she has not that is being a engaged constituent. I am not prepared to judge on a single pop media story ! I have always had a respectful relationship with her.