Since late November, Jewish indie wrestler David Starr has been calling out another independent Mathias Glass on the ignorance and culturally insensitivity of his “Jewish” character portrayed in various independent promotions. It started on November 23, when Starr exposed Glass’ character when he found out that Glass wasn’t actually Jewish himself, therefore turning it from potential self-deprecating humor to outright mockery.
Glass has continued to use the character for the remainder of the year, despite outcry from other Jewish wrestlers and fans who equally found the character offensive. But he also found many (non-Jewish) fans decrying his denunciation, implying it was simply “entertainment.” To that, Starr responded several days later.
The character portrayed by Mathias Glass is deeply bigoted. I do not apologize for calling it what it is. The defenses of this character have left me deflated and I have legitimately lost a lot of faith in the community due to it. The comparison to black face is spot on.
— Charles Max Barsky (@TheProductDS) November 27, 2017
1 example is that we no longer have bra & panties matches because we grew to realize that is sexist. Thankfully fans overall, typically, do a good job of policing offensive chants or slurs against groups of people. I can only hope that we continue to grow as a culture & community
— Charles Max Barsky (@TheProductDS) November 27, 2017
Sometime between Starr’s very public condemnation of Glass’ anti-Semite character and today, the two were in conversation. While initially blocked, Glass finally communicated with Starr via text messages, where he not only took responsibility for the character but seemed to express remorse in the harm it had caused – although he also wanted to profit off the negative press his actions had incurred and had hoped that David Starr himself would help achieve this goal. Throughout the conversations, Glass stated he would cease to be that character as of midnight December 31st, 2017, but it’s now January 2nd and no apology nor retraction of character has occured from Glass. So, as promised, Starr has released not only the text messages between Glass and Starr, but a damning revelation of the angle Glass proposed to “end” his character.
Based on Mathias Glass @hasidicoutlaw breaking his promise, I am attaching screenshots of our conversations.
Here is my statement that is important to adding context. pic.twitter.com/ubc6phJ8IN
— Charles Max Barsky (@TheProductDS) January 2, 2018
In context, here’s Starr’s full statement before releasing the texts.
And thus followed the private messages between Starr and Glass.
Yes. On the verge of his supposed apology and end of his Jewish stereotype, he actually posted this on New Year’s Eve.
https://twitter.com/HasidicOutlaw/status/947694907531190274
But as promised, David Starr held him accountable, even telling him so as the hours counted down.
And thus, no apology, nor rescinding of the character came to pass.
For those who aren’t aware, David Starr is a fast emerging independent wrestling star who debuted in 2012 with the Wild Samoans‘ World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW), before heading to CZW in 2013. Since then he’s appeared for such promotions as EVOLVE, Beyond, AAW, House of Glory, NYWC, as well as extensive tours of Europe. He’s a huge star in Germany’s wXw, where he’s a 3x Shotgun Champion and currently tagging with former 2x wXw World Champion Jurn Simmons in The Massive Product. Starr’s also worked extensive dates in the UK scene, including PROGRESS, RevPro, PCW, Fight Club: PRO, SWE and more.
In an era where social justice warriors are seemingly deemed a bad thing by conservatives, the Jewish community is lucky to have someone like David Starr. Professional wrestling has long straddled many lines of taste, with heels often showing elements of racism or bigotry to enhance their villainous core – but in a world of fictionalized characters and storylines, it is often tolerated as the villain’s “views” are what helps the heroes overcome and defeat the villains, showing their views are not just in today’s day and age. After all, Darth Vader was an advocate for genocide and child slaughter, but we aren’t picketing Star Wars films.
But Mathias Glass’ character is different. As Starr pointed out, if it was self-deprecating, it would be one thing. To have intricate knowledge of the absurdities that ALL cultures have and to have playful fun at your own culture is in many ways cathartic. But when you yourself are not a part of said culture, mocking the brazen stereotypes for your own fun and profit is very much akin to the blackface minstrels of the past. And that kind of humor deserves to remain in the past.
Well done, David Starr. Well done.
