By now most of us have heard about or maybe even heard the secretly recorded racist comments that Los Angelos Clippers owner Donald Sterling made to his half Black girlfriend.
Sterling clearly has a "slave master" mentality in reference to the players on his team. His talk of feeding, and providing housing for them as if they are nothing more than live stock or cattle makes his mentality crystal clear. These despicable comments have shocked the world and disturbed millions.
But perhaps the most shocking detail is the fact that Donald Sterling is Jewish.
It has been said that there is a parallel between the African-American struggle and the Jewish struggle. So much so that many Jewish Americans stood side by side with African-Americans during the civil rights movement. Some have even been instrumental within the movement. So to think that anyone of Jewish descent would think or say anything so disgusting and reprehensible is almost mind boggling. It's almost as if he is so far removed from the struggles that are the legacy of his culture that he has forgotten. The fact of the matter is Sterling is out of touch, far removed, and probably cannot identify with what his people have gone through. Even though at the age of 81 he has lived through some of the most pivotal times in history. Being a Billionaire has allowed him to transcend race, color, and ethnic background. Classism and racism go hand in hand. Those who control the wealth in this country have little if any empathy for those who are not wealthy regardless of color, gender, or creed. So it is not at all surprising that Sterling feels the way that he does. The only color that he values is green, and the only culture that he identifies with is economic.
3 days after the scandal broke, Sterling has been banned for life by the NBA.
Commissioner Adam Silver said he will try to force the controversial owner to sell his franchise. Sterling has also been fined $2.5 million, and Silver made no effort to hide his outrage over the comments.
"I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners I need to remove him," Silver said.
The rebuke, which came three days after the scandal broke, is the harshest penalty ever issued by the league and one of the stiffest punishments ever given to an owner in professional sports. Silver said a league investigation found the NBA's longest-tenured owner was in fact the person on the audiotapes that were released over the weekend."We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views," Silver said. "They simply have no place in the NBA."
Sterling acknowledged he was the man on the tape, Silver said.
Sterling is immediately barred from attending any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team.
He also cannot participate in any league business going forward. It's unclear how he will respond, and a lawsuit certainly seems possible. But no matter what course of action Sterling decides to take, it will not make up for the fact that he is a vile human being.
PR
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