First let's discuss the recordings. They were recorded and released illegally - that is, without his prior knowledge. Whoever did release them, if it is proven, will surely face some sort of legal action from Sterling, especially since he is known as a big litigator. That being said, the words on that recording just further support his views on other races, particularly blacks. Sterling (and his wife, for that matter) have had several suits against them for racism in the rental properties they own - suits have alleged that they don't want blacks or latinos living in their facilities, one suit also stated that they didn't want children or anyone who would be hanging out front or playing in the hallways to be living in their properties, as this is not the image they want portrayed. (That all according to this article.)
Next, let me please address the fact that this man has a wife (now, allegedly "estranged wife", according to several news articles) and has had several girlfriends. If we are to judge this man on his racism, why are we not also supposed to pass judgement on his adultery? Is adultery not one of the cardinal sins? I have great issue with people who think it is so wrong that a man share his honest feelings about blacks to his black girlfriend, but don't think it's wrong that he is sharing this with his girlfriend. The Sterlings have been married since 1955 (yes, folks, that's 58+ years). Mr. Sterling has not only had this recent girlfriend who has made headlines, but made headlines with another mistress approximately 11 years ago when he sued for housing he had gifted to this mistress but wanted back when their relationship ended. For the record, many reports state that Mrs. Sterling is currently attempting to get the recent girlfriend (V. Stiviano) to give back several lavish gifts Mr. Sterling gave her during their relationship, including cars and a residence. Surely Mrs. Sterling hasn't been blind to all of this adultery, so it is interesting that she is just now choosing to separate from him.
Something else I would like to address is the fact that Donald Sterling is 80 years old. He was born in 1934, which means he grew up during extremely racist times. It should also be of note that he is Jewish and grew up in a time when Jews were condemned by others, so some might believe that he would have some compassion. While I, a white, Christian female born in the 1980s, believe that equality applies to race, those who were born prior to affirmative action often don't hold these views. It doesn't mean their views are right (or wrong), but it should be understood. That being said, Sterling owns an NBA team which counts only one white American player. The Clippers also have one player from Turkey and twelve players who are at least partial African-American. Yes, friends, out of fourteen players, not one is like Mr. Sterling, but one is close (mid-western & white). Seems kind of crazy to me that he would be so racist yet make so much money off of those he is racist against. Right?
The last thing I would like to address is not directly about Donald Sterling. Instead it is about professional sports in general. I fully support (based on what I know at this time) what Adam Silver did to punish Mr. Sterling - banning him from life from association with the NBA and fining him $2.5 million (the max allowed per the NBA constitution). However, I wish Mr. Silver and all professional sports commissioners would hold players, owners, and coaches responsible for their actions. These men and women are paid highly to perform a job in the public eye, which many people, especially children, look to as heroes or someone to aspire to be like. These people are also usually at least in part paid by taxpayers - usually because their facilities are built with and kept running by tax money and owners and therefore players & coaches make money off of these facilities. So many professional athletes, coaches, and owners are arrested for activities which would put those without money in jail, yet they often are not punished at all or not very hard. If these people had a system of the old "three strikes, you're out", maybe they wouldn't be so apt to screw up. Instead, the more money a person puts in others' pockets, the less likely they are to be harshly punished.
Did Mr. Sterling do wrong? Yes. Was he appropriately sanctioned by the NBA? Probably. Was it fair? No, because others haven't been held to the same standards.
Lastly: Here is a great article by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Time magazine.
Next, let me please address the fact that this man has a wife (now, allegedly "estranged wife", according to several news articles) and has had several girlfriends. If we are to judge this man on his racism, why are we not also supposed to pass judgement on his adultery? Is adultery not one of the cardinal sins? I have great issue with people who think it is so wrong that a man share his honest feelings about blacks to his black girlfriend, but don't think it's wrong that he is sharing this with his girlfriend. The Sterlings have been married since 1955 (yes, folks, that's 58+ years). Mr. Sterling has not only had this recent girlfriend who has made headlines, but made headlines with another mistress approximately 11 years ago when he sued for housing he had gifted to this mistress but wanted back when their relationship ended. For the record, many reports state that Mrs. Sterling is currently attempting to get the recent girlfriend (V. Stiviano) to give back several lavish gifts Mr. Sterling gave her during their relationship, including cars and a residence. Surely Mrs. Sterling hasn't been blind to all of this adultery, so it is interesting that she is just now choosing to separate from him.
Something else I would like to address is the fact that Donald Sterling is 80 years old. He was born in 1934, which means he grew up during extremely racist times. It should also be of note that he is Jewish and grew up in a time when Jews were condemned by others, so some might believe that he would have some compassion. While I, a white, Christian female born in the 1980s, believe that equality applies to race, those who were born prior to affirmative action often don't hold these views. It doesn't mean their views are right (or wrong), but it should be understood. That being said, Sterling owns an NBA team which counts only one white American player. The Clippers also have one player from Turkey and twelve players who are at least partial African-American. Yes, friends, out of fourteen players, not one is like Mr. Sterling, but one is close (mid-western & white). Seems kind of crazy to me that he would be so racist yet make so much money off of those he is racist against. Right?
The last thing I would like to address is not directly about Donald Sterling. Instead it is about professional sports in general. I fully support (based on what I know at this time) what Adam Silver did to punish Mr. Sterling - banning him from life from association with the NBA and fining him $2.5 million (the max allowed per the NBA constitution). However, I wish Mr. Silver and all professional sports commissioners would hold players, owners, and coaches responsible for their actions. These men and women are paid highly to perform a job in the public eye, which many people, especially children, look to as heroes or someone to aspire to be like. These people are also usually at least in part paid by taxpayers - usually because their facilities are built with and kept running by tax money and owners and therefore players & coaches make money off of these facilities. So many professional athletes, coaches, and owners are arrested for activities which would put those without money in jail, yet they often are not punished at all or not very hard. If these people had a system of the old "three strikes, you're out", maybe they wouldn't be so apt to screw up. Instead, the more money a person puts in others' pockets, the less likely they are to be harshly punished.
Did Mr. Sterling do wrong? Yes. Was he appropriately sanctioned by the NBA? Probably. Was it fair? No, because others haven't been held to the same standards.
Lastly: Here is a great article by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Time magazine.
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