Selma Blair is trying to dramatically walk back her self-admitted rage filled rant against Islam from a week ago.
“This is a time of great pain and anguish for many around the world, but it is also a time to learn and better understand how words matter,” the Cruel Intentions actress wrote today in a long statement on social media as the backlash against her continued to grow. “I respect and love all peace-loving communities, all over the world,” Blair added. “It was my Muslim friends who helped educate and show me the way. I am committed to paying forward their love and understanding. We cannot allow ignorance and rage to becomes our downfall.”
“I am dedicated to tolerance and peace for all who want it – not hate,” Blair went on to say at the end of the clearly crafted statement posted on her Instgram Tuesday afternoon. “I apologize to those in the Muslim community who I offended with my words. I apologize to my friends. And I apologize to anyone I hurt. And I will do better.”
See Blair’s full IG post from today here:
Even though this is America where everyone seems to get a pass if they say sorry enough, it is hard to tell to tell if an apology will suffice for many at this point. While a number of commenters on Blair’s post offered support the actress or engaged in swipes of their own at Islam, others slammed what one bluntly called “the fake apology and tears.”
Over the past week, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and others have decried Blair’s previous remarks as blatantly Islamophobia.
Certainly, Blair’s quickly deleted comment on a February 2 post by an IG profile of one Abraham Hamra over Israel’s military response to the savage attack on the Jewish state on October 7 and the stance on of Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) on the ongoing war lacked much subtlety.
The CAA repped Blair wrote: “Thank you so much. Deport all these terrorist supporting goons. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroyed minds. They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate.”
Born with a mixed faith ancestry, the now 51-year-old Blair officially converted to Judism in the second grade.
Just days before Hamas’ murderous attack on Israeli border communities and military camps that left over 1400 dead, hundreds of women raped and hundreds taken hostage, Blair was at the White House at the invite of President Joe Biden. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, the actress was joining the president in a ceremony to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
More recently, Blair was on the cover of British Vogue with Oprah, Jane Fonda, Naomi Campbell, Miley Cyrus, Serena Williams, Kate Moss and 33 other renowned women in a group shot by photographer Steven Meisel. The star studded cover was in part to celebrate the last edition of the magazine to be edited by Edward Enninful after a six years run as editor-in-chief. Blair had been featured solo on the cover of the UK fashion mag in May last year.