Meyers Leonard leads community conversation about tolerance and hate speech

WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On Wednesday night, June 14, Milwaukee Bucks center Meyers Leonard led a community conversation about sensitivity and the impact of hate speech.

Leonard has worked to connect with the Jewish community since he used an antisemitic slur during a video game live stream in 2021.

Repeatedly throughout the evening, Jewish leaders said the situation did not happen to Meyers Leonard, but it happened for him.

Leonard said he will always take responsibility for what he did, but for the rest of his life he'll use it as an opportunity to teach others.

Leonard got emotional as he recalled the moments after he said a slur against Jewish people. "I remember looking in mirror and saying, 'you do not run from this for any reason. Be a man..."

Leonard said the only direction from rock bottom is up, adding, "I will not stop at anything to continually learn for myself and use my voice and my platform."

Two years ago, Leonard said one word that led to what he called the worst moment of his life. "I made a huge mistake, an ignorant one. And we'll get into this as I speak on stage."

Since then, he's used the moment to educate himself and others, speaking with rabbis and other Jewish leaders, and community groups.

Jonah Geller is the CIO of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Whitefish Bay. Before the presentation, Geller told the crowd, "Opportunity is most definitely knocking tonight. I say we opened the door."

Leonard opened up to roughly 100 people as he recounted the incident, saying he felt "like my life was over, almost."

He also took questions. The first person to speak to him started by saying, "I forgive you."

Leonard said he's felt nearly universal support from audiences across the country. "Meeting with people face-to-face is what means the most to me. That's when real learning and understanding happens, in my opinion."

And Jewish leaders applauded his sincerity and his redemption.

Mark Shapiro, President & CEO of the Jewish Community Center, said, "I think it's already happened, time and time and time again. Meyers is quite the mensch for coming back and doing this over and over again."

Meyers Leonard's contract with the Bucks expires in July, after which he'll become a free agent. He said he's thankful to the entire Milwaukee community for embracing him, and he hopes to stay.