Tag: Donald Sterling

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what have we learned?

NAACP_sterling_awards1After a week of storms — via both the atmosphere and articulation, what have we learned?

That racism unfortunately still exists…

That civil rights can still be an issue…

And that bigotry is not indigenous to any one ethnic group.

Friends, bigotry will only cease to exist when no one fights solely for a single group of people no matter the prudence of a particular situation.

Hence, I find it absolutely ironic that on May 15th, both LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and Rev. Al Sharpton were set to be dually honored by the NAACP in Los Angeles.  Sterling was to receive their “Lifetime Achievement Award” and Sharpton an award for “Person of the Year.”

And yet it was Sterling, who spoke so offensively this week, privately asking his mistress not to bring black people to his games.

And it, too, was Sharpton, who for decades has refused to apologize for publicly, vociferously chastising multiple white men for the cover up of an assault on a black teen girl, that the teen admits making up.

Bigotry will only cease to exist when no one fights for only for one group, all the time, no matter the prudence of the particular situation.  Bigotry will only cease when…

… the guilt or innocence of an OJ Simpson is not presumed by the color of his skin…

… the effectiveness of a President Obama is not gauged by his ethnic heritage…

Bigotry will not cease to exist as long as white, black, Asian, Arab, Jewish, Christian, gay, straight, disabled, etc. … until none of it matters.

Unfortunately, as a society we still seem to hypocritically pick and choose which prejudice to pounce upon.  Someone like Sterling, who for over 30 years has displayed aspects of racially discriminatory behavior, has been banned for life and may actually be forced to sell his property.  Someone like Sharpton remains celebrated on a weekday, evening newscast, even though only 20 years ago, the Rev. Sharpton made this college address:

“White folks was in the caves while we [blacks] was building empires … We built pyramids before Donald Trump ever knew what architecture was … we taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.”

We must always remember the prudence of the particular situation.  We must not pick and choose the prejudice.

Hence, I again ask, what have we learned?

Respectfully…

AR

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stupid

V.-Stiviano-Donald-SterlingIn an audio recording between a woman and allegedly NBA team owner Donald Sterling:

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” the voice attributed to Sterling says. “Do you have to?”

“You can sleep with [black people],” he allegedly adds. “You can bring them in; you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.”

And for these words, the Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is being investigated by the NBA — and is expected to be punished today.

Now never mind that Sterling has long exhibited questionable character.  Never mind that such is no secret in the NBA.  Never mind, also, that the woman who made the recording is Sterling’s mistress and is being sued by Sterling’s wife.  Never mind that he is 81 and she is 31.  Never mind, too, that she has been accused of extortion and that both her character and motives are questionable.  Sterling’s comments — even if taken out of context — are disrespectful and highly offensive.

While never supportive of such sobering disrespect, the Intramuralist is also intrigued by society’s response.  It’s been swift, serious, and especially strong.

Understandably, many have called for extended discipline.  Some have called for Sterling’s suspension; others have called for a boycott of Clipper games.  The players association wants Sterling banned from playoff games this season in addition to the league’s maximum punishment.  Still more have called for Sterling to lose his team; many have said Sterling should not be allowed to own a professional franchise.  His ownership should be taken away.

Therein is where the intrigue arises.  I have two, sincere questions:

One, (sorry to be somewhat crass, but attempting to cut to the point…) are people no longer allowed to say anything stupid?  Are they allowed to even believe something foolish?

And then two, who decides what “stupid” is?  After all, as a culture, are we consistent in what foolishness we will allow?

My honest question is whether we are overly sensitive to specific subjects — and if sometimes we dilute the credibility of both our emotion and point because we pick and choose what to tolerate.  Make no mistake about it:  Sterling’s comments reek of foolishness; reportedly, he has long been known to be a man of questionable moral, discriminatory character; he’s owned an NBA team for over 30 years.  But for some reason, this issue is heightened now.  And for some reason, it seems we ignore that reeking aroma when the insensitivity is blatant elsewhere.

I think of Bill Maher, who has routinely slammed God, women, people of varied faiths, and even the city of Boston after last year’s bombings.  And yet Maher continues to host a regular talk show spewing daily disrespect.  Should Maher be allowed to host a show?  Should he be allowed to spew foolish opinion?  Should we take that right away from him?

While the Intramuralist will never knowingly support foolishness, I am equally concerned about a world where we feel we must punish the opinion holder by eliminating individual liberty — a world in which we feel the need and even capability to police moral opinion… believing, it seems, that we have the discernment to assess all foolishness.  A wiser approach, I believe — as I practice with Bill Maher — is to intentionally opt not to reward such persons with our time, money, or attention.  I won’t be paying attention to Bill Maher any time soon… nor to Donald Sterling.

Respectfully…

AR