By COLlive reporter
Diana Richardson, Member of the Assembly of the State of New York representing the 43rd District, issued a clarification to her recent comments on social media that have angered the Jewish community.
The following is the statement she sent on Tuesday:
In light of a recent article written about me by a reporter at COLive, a local news outlet in Crown Heights, I felt compelled to address the community and discuss COLive’s misinformed accusations of my support for Comedian Nick Cannon’s anti-Semitic remarks last week.
The headline of the article falsely states, “Crown Heights Rep Backs TV Host Over Antisemitic Comments.” Let me be clear I do not condone anti-Semitism. COLive failed to portray the full story for its viewers. Nowhere in the article was there the inclusion of the link that highlighted that my post was about Mr. Cannon’s apology, which is extremely important to providing context to my statement.
I would have hoped that in the spirit of journalistic integrity that a respected news source like COLive would have at least reached out to me for a comment to provide context around my social media posts. I would, however, like to take this opportunity to clarify the sequence of events and better explain the intent behind my social media posts.
The distasteful comments made by Mr. Cannon about the Jewish community were uncalled for, and those comments have resulted in immense outrage from many people across the world.
This prompted Viacom to terminate their relationship with Nick Cannon, who has worked with Viacom since he was 16. Viacom missed a major moment to allow for an organic discussion to occur that could have provided greater clarity and an opportunity for cross-cultural education.
For this reason, on my personal Instagram story, I posted about potentially boycotting Viacom and the many other networks that are affiliated with or owned by them. Within an hour of this Instagram post, I realized that the post could be misinterpreted without proper context and deleted it.
However, within that time, my post was already screenshotted and being circulated around the internet. After deleting my Instagram post, I shared a link to an article on my Facebook page that highlighted Mr. Cannon’s apology and tweet that stated, “I hurt an entire community and it pained me to my core, I thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then I watched my own community turn on me and call me a sell-out for apologizing. Goodnight.” said Nick Cannon.
I assumed that people would take the time to read the link attached to my post, but unfortunately, that was not the case. I acknowledge that the post without the context of the article could be taken out of scope and be hurtful. However, that was not my intention.
The tweet from Mr. Cannon moved me, especially since he felt that members of the African American community did not appreciate his sincere apology and I wanted to highlight that I support his apology, and his effort to course correct.
Now more than ever it is important that as a community that we come together. There are so many important issues like the 2020 Census, housing, social services, and access to healthy food that need to be addressed.
I remain solution-oriented and my office is always open to the community; please feel free to reach out to me at 718-771-3105 or email at district43@gov.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENT
Zaki Tamir, Chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) released the following statement:
It seems to me that Assembly Member Richardson who is the Assembly Member of the 43rd Assembly District, having won her 3rd primary, going into the upcoming general election, apologized for remarks supporting Nick Cannon’s then anti-Semitic remarks, in her opening comments of the article she had written herself to COLlive. Sometimes I find myself short-sighted when even after gaining the desired result from an honest politician (yes, they exist), I jump the gun to press forward before I catch myself. For me, a little more focus and perspective always helps.
What transpired here was a very terrible comment, clearly anti-Semitic, brought to light and to the attention of our elected officials and the voices of many caring people cried out “enough” demanding curative measures, and in fact, he was fired from Viacom. The patient reader/follower of this chain of events might have recognized that not only did Assembly Member Richardson apologize, in turn and as a result (perhaps), came Mr. Cannon’s apology (although the chronology is not confirmed).
However, I do know that subsequent to Assembly Member Richardson’s involvement, Mr. Cannon actually sat down and interviewed with Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. You must admit you didn’t see that one coming.
It must be tough for a liberal democratic politician in the most liberal city (can I say in the world?), to give consideration to our community, especially when the world is upside down with devastation and pain-producing progressive civil rights efforts, riots and international health scares, and all these things are questions, complaints, and demands, regular citizens taking hand-outs from uncle sam in unprecedented numbers. From one societal perspective, it might appear that the spirit and sense of entitlement are growing at such a high rate of speed that it appears to be more contagious than its breeder (covid19), certainly, some might find it more dangerous.
Whenever I see a politician that actually addresses an issue head-on, I want to support them as much as possible, because that quality sets those few apart from the rest. The same principle applies on every level. If I advance a complaint or a claim of injustice on behalf of an individual or on behalf of a group, and I get a response from my elected official, a real response, one that shows genuine interest, I will run with that horse, and I hope that I would do so even if the conclusion is contrary to my efforts because I am not G-d, I deliver opinions not impositions.
In the same vein, I was impressed that Ms. Richardson wrote an Opinion Editorial on her own volition to speak directly to the constituents concerned about the issue. Considering the robust growth of our community the Assembly Member might see our “potential” to be an actual voting-block in the future. I hope she is thinking that, because that means she believes in us. We are weak in our numbers plain and simple, we should accept any elected friend we can get. In the past election and with all-hands-on-deck our community produced 1,000 votes (out of approx. 16,000 potential voters.. mostly not even registered to vote), when reviewing the obligations of others, I prefer the approach “beggars can’t be choosers” because it is that approach that will make me the most upset, because I don’t want to be a beggar and neither do you. Our voices do not carry any weight now, lets get our house in order, then we can consider the obligations of others.
Moral of the story for me:
Register as a Democrat because every single election in Brooklyn for the past 100 years was decided at the time of the primary election. Especially if you disagree with the views of the candidates… because the opposition voices are never heard, they lose before the general election even starts. Unfortunately. When we have 5,6,7k voters, then you will bring your selection from the get-go. Please join.
Rabbi Shea once told me, in the name of his revered father Rabbi JJ Hecht “give me a man with an ulterior motive and I will hire him because he will get the job done.”
Focus on the work and on my own motivations!
she really believes what he said.
Our community repeatedly has been dissed by local politicos from DeBlasio on down and sideways. Richardson is no different. Always the inflammatory act or remark followed by the snarky “explanation.” The political establishment, dominated by (now “progressive,” Democrats) in NYC has abandoned the Jewish community.
Now let’s see all the Jewish “leaders” (and btw including COLlive) stand up and defend her….. She is an anti semite like Omar Talib and the rest… for how much longer will the jews not learn from their history?????
I promise you at the next available chance, you will see the Crown Heights Community Council “Leaders/Losers” pleading to take a photo with her.
How she spoke to/about Yaacov Behrman, in connection with this issue, is petty, unprofessional, and quite objectionable! Let’s hear a “clarification” about that! And let’s hear a “clarification” about how she reaches out to her constituents year after year on Saturdays, holding family fun days that Orthodox Jews would have to violate Shabbos and Kashrus to attend (or at least there’d be a maris ayin issue). This effectively shuts out the Sabbath-observant constituency. Oh, yes: sure, she shows up at photo ops held here, to which politicians are invited. That’s self-serving, though, not truly an attempt to meaningfully connect with… Read more »
Oh, So when it comes to Antisemitism thats when dialogue and discussion is needed?? Too little to late.. you were exposed for what you are an antiemite!!
No where in your response do you write that you condone antisemitism. You write that it outraged some across the world and called it uncalled for, but you don’t say “I stand against antisemitism”
There is no excuse for antisemitic remarks in todays day and age, as for centuries the Jews have been persecuted, and it starts with words and feelings.
As you say, we, all of humanity, have more in common with each other, and anyone, in your position or his, should be careful to unite rather than divide with words and feelings.
We are all G-d’s children and have been put here with a purpose to light up the world, not to darken it with sad remarks which leave a blemish, even with an apology.
Ah, so when it comes to racism it’s cancel culture and violence, but when it’s “only” anti-Semitism she falls fo dialogue and an opportunity to learn. What an unsurprising double standard.
shes trying to back out of what she said. Excuses, excuses. Her lies are so transparent
Dear Mrs Richardson, I’ve read your response. You obviously realize you made a mistake – perhaps an unintentional one – because you deleted your post. But even with the benefit of a few days to think about it, you haven’t apologized for that mistake in your response. I also wonder why you took the Very extreme step of boycotting a company if it’s truly as you describe it that they simply missed an opportunity. Plenty of people of all colors have lost jobs because of insensitive comments, even though they apologized. Why don’t you boycott them too? For these reasons… Read more »
You CAN change things. The way to do that is by voting. Register to vote and then do it! That is the only way to get people in office (hint, hint, Ms. Richardson) to listen to us.
It is sad that she felt it necessary to support that man and could not even bring herself to condemn his anti-semitism until she got called out by her own constituents. Anti semitism runs deep in the black community, unfortunately.
And all the Jewish community is worried about our petty issues like “antisemitic comments” by elected officials nonetheless…….
I like how you put it.
As a constituent who has been engaged with the Assemblywoman office, follows her on social media (which she personally manages )and attended various events that she hosts/attends etc I have found her to be nothing but knowledgeable, intelligent and empathetic to whatever her constituents concerns are. Her district office gets a lot done, in a quite and unassuming manner. Her staffers a re nice and are always there to help constituents of ALL faith , color, creed , economic status or even political party. I think she votes with integrity. She grew up here, and understands from first hand experience… Read more »
Please try and stay on topic for a minute here. This is not about how sweet she is or how she “personally ” manages her twitter account or any of the other wonderful things you write about, its specifically about how antisemitic or at the very least tone deaf she is towards her Jewish constituents.
I’ve spoken to the Assemblywoman personally – about this issue and others – and while she was willing to listen to me about this issue – none of the hurt she caused this community is addressed. It’s defensive and avoids any real responsibility. Nothing you write here addresses that problem
I’m curious what an “organic discussion’ looks like NY nowadays. Something like a BLM protest? Riots? Looting? They were all very organic. Nick Canon’s apology fell mightily short. He needs to get a new speech writer. Diana Richardson seems to have a smooth team to clean up her messes
It’s fairly simple.
She never said that she personally disagrees with Cannon’s original comments. She seems to believe – as we’re unfortunately seeing more and more blacks do – that the Jews aren’t the real Jews, that there’s an illuminati and “Rothschilds” running the world, banks, media.
She was hoping Cannon’s remarks would spark an organic discussion into the legitimacy of these Goebbels theories, and finally bring the “truth” to light. He shouldn’t be punished for bringing up legitimate questions which must be addressed.
…. anything about ignoring people who tried to reach out to her about this (Ker a Velt, etc.) and illegally blocking critics.
Every elected politician in this district, ESPECIALLY if they’re endorsed by CHJCC, brings the kiss of death to the CH Jewish community. When will you wake up & smell the coffee?? THEY DESPISE US. They don’t need us because they get elected on the Black vote (oops! Dare I say that?) What do they ever do for us? But still the majority of us vote according to the “expert” advice of CHJCC & vote Democrat. True, it’s unlikely a Republican would ever win, but thinking that by voting D you help the community is delusion. Vote with dignity. I don’t… Read more »