Sterling, Media And The Race Card — A Confederacy Of Dunces By Larry Elder
By Larry Elder, Apr. 27, 2014
TMZ posted portions of a taped conversation between L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling and his girlfriend. The fit hit the shan. Magic Johnson called for Sterling to resign. Relinquish the team! ESPN is breathlessly covering this “major story.”
Magic Johnson said in a statement:
“It’s a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans. He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base.”
He later said:
“Something has to be done, and if that means him losing the team, then that has to happen,” Johnson said. “The league has to come down hard and make a statement.”
The Clippers’ statement read:
“We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or if it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even.’ Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him — both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”
LeBron James, before yesterday’s game, said:
“There is no room for Donald Sterling in our league. … Obviously, if the reports are true, it’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter, white, black or Hispanic — all across the races it’s unacceptable. As the commissioner of our league, they have to make a stand. They have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it will be, but we can’t have that in our league.”
Well, move over Cliven Bundy, who moved over after George Zimmerman. Meet America’s Next New White Bigot — Donald Sterling. The “racist” hires a respected, expensive championship-winning black coach, who happens to be married to a white woman. The “racist” pays his black starting point guard $18 million annually. Oh, and the “racist” Sterling’s girlfriend, with whom he’s seen in public, is a black Latina.
Yep, dude sounds just like a Klansman.
Now, can we please calm down?
An old guy has a verbal fight with his girlfriend, which she apparently — surreptitiously — records. They quarrel. The most eye-raising parts have to do with Sterling, 80, telling his girlfriend, 38, that he doesn’t want her attending games with black people. His reasons appear to be that his girlfriend, who describes herself as black and Mexican, would look — to others — more white if she sat next to white people. I guess. I really don’t know.
And care even less.
Despite his obvious anger, Sterling never says the “n” word, let along calls her a “c” word. He expresses admiration for Magic Johnson. He even asks her almost in disbelief or surprise, “You think I’m a racist!” Then the now ex-girlfriend, currently being sued by the Sterling family for embezzling almost $2 mil, delivers the recording to TMZ. And here we go again with America’s newest racist. Tiger Wood’s quarrel ended with his SUV smashed into a tree. Mel Gibson’s rant included a wish that his girlfriend be “raped by a pack of n–gers.” But this will do.
If Sterling is unfit to own a team now that he’s expressed racial animosity, what about Spike Lee? A courtside fixture at Knicks games, Lee once said he dislikes interracial couples: “I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street.” Should the NBA investigate the suitability of an expressed hater of interracial couples to have such a prominent perch at the Garden? Spike Lee hates interracial relationships. Donald Sterling hates being in one. Soul brothers! Bet Spike could score some courtside seats.
A certain beloved, foul-mouthed, Los Angeles ex-baseball manager privately swore and dropped non-PC words with ease and familiarity — but we laughed and considered the source. And, like Sterling, he had black and white players.
What about Bill Maher? He is a part-owner of the Mets — that is when not calling Sarah Palin the “c” word or Michelle Bachman “a dumb t–t” or when not joking about Palin’s son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. Should MLB investigate and monitor his stand-up for foul language?
Speaking of racist public figures, if Sterling ought not own a team, then the Rev. Al Sharpton ought not have a TV show. How does the race-hustling, anti-Semitic, non-tax paying, FBI would-be drug-dealing snitch, “civil rights” leader who lied his way to fame warrant a show on MSNBC?
As to the seriousness of Sterling’s comment, a little perspective. The beloved Lakers owner Jerry Buss once got busted for DUI. As always with drunk drivers, only good fortune stopped someone from getting hurt or killed. But this was quickly dropped from media attention.
Again, Buss … could … have … killed … somebody. Sterling had a verbal fight with a flirty girlfriend.
Back to the Sterling tape. Listening to the whole thing, it sounds like they’re meant for each other. He’s jealous and insecure, an old guy asking his girl not to make him into a bigger behind-the-back joke than he already is. She sounds shallow and manipulative, clearing trying to get him to say some really bad stuff.
As for Magic Johnson’s reaction, let me say this. Magic, love you, but your confessed behavior endangered your family, your team and others. Sterling quarreled with his GF. Martina Navratilova said if a woman did what you did, she would have been called a “slut.” Sterling should be shunned?!
Did Magic call for a Clippers boycott when, for years, its owner mistreated Elgin Baylor, stiffed players and twice settled housing discrimination lawsuits? Or when in 2000, Sports Illustrated named the Clippers the “worst” franchise in North American history? But now because Sterling says he doesn’t want his squeeze hanging with brothers — he’s unfit to own a team? Why the “racist” even gave her permission to “f–k” any black person she wants — provided she didn’t strut around Staples with the guy. A gold-digger’s dream. Old money, young sex. Such a deal! Some racist!
Can black and white victicrats take a day off from being “offended”? Dolts — whether Bundy or Sterling — who are incapable of harm, say stupid things. The real issues — under-education, irresponsible breeding and parenting, and lack of jobs — have nothing to do with Sterling’s jealously and will not be resolved by his public flaying.
https://www.elderstatement.com/2014/04/sterling-media-and-race-card.html?spref=tw
