Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has apologized for performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes on an internet livestream.
“I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” Nacua said Thursday in an Instagram post. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”
Why would anyone assume that Puka was doing something antisemitic? He wasn’t even talking about anything related to Jews or Judaism. This is the problem with receiver-centered communication model in today’s society.