Over the weekend, Jamie Foxx apologized after Jennifer Aniston accused him of making an antisemitic post. But social media users, especially the Black community, are dragging the “Horrible Bosses” actress for misreading Jamie’s words and throwing him under the bus for it.
The situation unfolded on Aug. 4 after Foxx shared the copy in question to his Instagram feed. In the post, he wrote, “They killed this dude name Jesus, what do you think they’ll do to you??! #fakefriends #fake love.”
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His message was vague and without any named intended recipient. However, the phrase has long been used as an adage or proverb in the Black community. It is intended to be read as: if humans killed Jesus, what makes you think humans won’t betray you?
Jennifer Aniston Claims Jamie Foxx’s Post Sickened Her, Labeling It ‘Horrifically Antisemtic’
It appears that sometime after Jamie uploaded his post, Jennifer–who follows Foxx on Instagram–saw and liked it. It’s unclear if someone called her out for liking the post, given that the comment sections under all of her IG posts have been turned off.
However, Jennifer Aniston took to her Instagram Story with harsh words for the recovering actor.
“This really makes me sick. I did not “like” this post on purpose or by accident. And more importantly, I want to be clear to my friends and anyone hurt by this showing up in their feeds–I do NOT support any form of antisemitism. And I truly don’t tolerate HATE of any kind. Period,” Jennifer Aniston wrote.
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Her post included a screenshot of Jamie’s post with a headline that reads: “Actor Jame Foxx posts horrifically antisemitic message to his 16.7 million followers,” and above the headline, the word “antisemitism” is circled.
The post is a screenshot of a subscription-based newsletter by the platform “A Wider Frame,” which boasts “current events in the Jewish world,” per their website.
Jennifer Aniston owes Jamie Foxx an apology because this is just silly pic.twitter.com/2JztPYgSIB
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 5, 2023
Jamie Apologizes After Jennifer’s Accusation
By Saturday (Aug. 5), Foxx issued an apology, explaining that his intention was not to offend anyone.
“I want to apologize 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. To clarify, I was betrayed by a fake a friend, and that’s what I meant with ‘they” not anything more. I only have love in my heart for everyone. I love and support the Jewish community. My deepest apologies to anyone who was offended. Nothing but love always, Jamie Foxx.”
Social Media Users Defend Foxx Amid Jennifer’s Antisemitic Accusations
As of Monday, his apology–posted to his IG feed and other social platforms–gained over 27,000 comments on Instagram. The large majority were comments defending the actor’s post as standard AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) and not antisemitism.
Model Winne Harlow wrote, “-_- I’m so confused.. it’s so clear what you were saying.”
Former NBA player Etan Thomas added, “If Jennifer had any Black friends, she would know that “They killed Jesus” is a phrase used in the Black Community to mean if they did that to Jesus, they will talk bad about you, lie on you, betray you, meaning ppl not Jews smh.”
Reality television star, Tanisha Thomas, chimed in too. She wrote:
“Smh this is literally insane! One day they’re praying for you the next they’re trying to crucify ….The selective displaced outrage is crazyyyy to me!! You’ve been unproblematic and out of the way for years King And we will not stand by why you’re unfairly attacked either! I’m so sick of folk going after the good ones for no reason this cancel Mob culture makes me sick these days! If you’re confused, ask a question for clarity don’t just assume!”
Before Aniston shut down her Instagram comment sections, users had flooded it with critiques against her.
Jamie Foxx supporters flood #JenniferAniston instagram comments 👀 pic.twitter.com/pKaXXzV0sk
— KingTae (@OfficiallyTae) August 6, 2023
And the backlash against Jennifer continued on X (formerly Twitter). HuffPost senior editor and journalist Phillip Lewis declared Jennifer Aniston “owes Jamie Foxx an apology.”
While author, speaker, and radio host, Reecie Colbert, addressed the lack of AAVE knowledge on Jennifer’s part in Lewis’s comment section.
“This is what happens when *in-group speak* is broadcast to people who have zero Black cultural competency and have never been around Black people in a familial setting. It’s obvious to us what he meant, but our own cultural context has zero value or consideration outside of us,” Colbert wrote.”
Writer and podcast host Jemele Hill advised Jamie not to explain himself.
The people intent on misunderstanding you will continue to do so no matter how much you explain yourself. So don’t explain yourself. Word to Jamie Foxx.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 6, 2023
Sports journalist, Robert Littal, called Aniston’s slam “a reach longer than Pippen’s arms.”
That was a reach longer than Pippen’s arms to read what Jamie Foxx said and assume it was antisemitism. Every black person in the world knew what he meant when he was talking about a fake ass friends. This is why Seinfeld is better then Friends. https://t.co/n0caZfmZ5t
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) August 5, 2023
KEEP SCROLLING TO SEE ADDITIONAL REACTIONS VIA X
Jennifer Ainston sticking her nose into Black People’s business, misinterpreting a Black phrase and then trying to throw Jamie Foxx under a bus to distance herself from the situation she put herself in unprovoked is PEAK Karen behaviour.
— The Jobfather™️ 🇯🇲🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@TheJobfather__) August 5, 2023
“If they crucified Jesus what makes you think they will spare me?”
THIS is the reference Jamie Foxx was talking about. This is AAVE and is heavily used in the black community. It has nothing to do with Jews. #JamieFoxx #JenniferAniston pic.twitter.com/eTmMQHWeAX
— Moral of the Story (@mofthestory) August 7, 2023
Just curious how many of us check in with Black Jews before commenting on Black and Jewish matters? This time with Jamie Foxx and the immediate charge of antisemitism.
🎥 @ravenreveals pic.twitter.com/jK6KVH0jaT
— Rafael Shimunov (@rafaelshimunov) August 7, 2023
One popular comment on X and elsewhere online was the celebration of the apparent Black unity this past weekend. In addition to defending Jamie, Black Americans seemingly united behind the Black dock worker who was attacked by a mob of white men in Montgomery, Alabama.
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All weekend, we've witnessed Black Americans stand on code together. First with Jamie Foxx & the Jennifer Aniston fiasco & now with this Montgomery Alabama brawl.
Our ancestors are proud! pic.twitter.com/MSbOFV1w5N
— They Not Like Us (@GoddessShanell_) August 6, 2023
The way we been rallying around and stand up for each other this week/weekend got me sitting up with a smile on my face. We didn’t let the Jamie Foxx or the Montgomery shit slide & I love us for that and that for us!
— C.J. Lawrence (@CJLawrenceEsq) August 7, 2023
