More of the Oldman farce. Yesterday the Anti-Defamation League said that actor Gary Oldman’s initial apology for saying in a Playboy interview that Jews run Hollywood was “insufficient” and that Oldman must apologize to his fan base. JPost:
“While his apology may be heartfelt, Mr. Oldman does not understand why his words about Jewish control were so damaging and offensive, and it is therefore insufficient,” said ADL National Director Abe Foxman….
“Oldman needs to make clear not only to the Jewish community but also his fans that his words were are predicated on offensive notions and, as such, are clearly unacceptable.”
Duly Oldman went on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night and apologized to his fan base. He is halting and seems almost tearful in the bit above:
I said some things that were poorly considered, and once I had seen it in print, I could see that it was offensive, insensitive, pernicious, and ill-informed. And, well, you know, words have meaning. They carry weight and they carry on long after you’ve said them and I don’t condone or excuse the words I used, well, in any context. I just basically shouldn’t have used them in any context. But I did, and I have deeply injured and wounded a great many people. So– I just want to– I appreciate you having me here and extending your hospitality to put me in this seat once again and it gives me the opportunity to say to those people, that I, from my heart, I am profoundly, profoundly sorry and deeply apologetic. You know, especially to the fans, because they have been so incredible to me and very loyal. My nickname is that they’re like Team Oldman, and I really feel that I let them down. Especially to the younger fans, you know, I should be–I’m a public figure. I should be an example and an inspiration, and I’m an A-hole. I’m 56, and I should know better.
The Washington Post’s Soraya Nadia McDonald continues to be cynical about the Oldman apology. She pointed out at the start of this dustup that he had offended other groups as well, women and gays; no craven apology to them. Also, McDonald mentions that Oldman’s been nominated once for an Academy Award, thereby hinting that advancement in Hollywood is at stake in this matter. Thus the apology serves to reinforce the truth in Oldman’s original assertion.
Foxman said that yes there are a lot of Jews in Hollywood.
[Oldman’s] reference [in his first apology] to the Neal Gabler book he was reading only reinforces the notion that Jewish directors, producers and financiers are there in Hollywood as Jews. They’re not, and the book does not draw that conclusion. They are there acting as individuals. They do not pursue a Jewish agenda or strategy. They are there acting as professionals and Americans with skills working alongside many other non-Jews who are also in show business for the same reasons.
Actually the book says that the first generation of Hollywood Jews were a “remarkably homogeneous” group who created the industry because they were excluded from other areas of American business life– they were there as Jews. And they built an “empire of their own,” to quote the title. Gabler does not touch on the issue of Jewish power in Hollywood in later generations.
Is this a performance piece like Joaquin Phoenix on Jay Leno? And Foxman with the predictable cameo role? It is too much to believe. Oldman’s original point was about being PC and how you can’t say anything without being condemned and here he is lying prostrate, praising the PC police and bowing to them fully.
Congrats ADL. You can now clock up another scalp – yet another high-profile person humbled into a humiliating climb down. How is it that other groups don’t go around getting ‘offended’ by the witterings of B-list actors?
Wait – to be “a Jew,” one must be demonstrably pursuing a Jewish strategy or agenda? The term “individual” is juxtaposed to “Jewish?” This is the ADL’s official position?
Most commentators on this story on other websites see no wrong in what Oldman said and they’re trashing the ADL.
This is an ‘over-reach’ by the ADL and it has been duly noted by the irked public – probably across the pond too.
The refusal of the apology by Foxman especially has given negative PR for American jews. But I guess Mr. Foxman wants this – good for his business.
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize” – Voltaire.