LOS ANGELES, California –
Recently the world of professional basketball was turned upside down when audio of L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling surfaced, berating his girlfriend for being seen in public with “black people.” Sterling’s girlfriend V. Stiviano posted a picture to Instagram of her with legendary NBA player Magic Johnson, and when Sterling saw the picture (which has since been removed), he had some heated words for Stiviano.
“It bothers me a lot that you’re associating with black people…do you have to?…You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it…and not to bring them to my games.”
The statements made by Sterling are confusing and ironic at best, because he appears to be forgetting that his girlfriend is half Mexican and half African-American herself. Also the fact that he is giving her permission to “sleep with black people”, yet disallows her to be seen in public with them, shows that there is a high possibility that Sterling may, in fact, be losing his mind.
“I’m just saying, in your lousy f**king Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.” Sterling continued in the leaked audio.
There has been talk in the media of the idea that Sterling is just a pathetic old sad-sack; a relic-style racist who may or may not be mentally incompetent. At 81 years old, Sterling is in a mental throwback to a past time period rife with racist behaviors, and apparently confused about what decade it is currently. In his age bracket, he’s clearly right in the zone for Alzheimer’s, as well as other diseases that cause mental deterioration and, in this case, lack of common sense.
Mental incompetency is one possible explination for how he could be so extremely stupid as to make these insane and confusing comments. He’s apparently also blind to the fact that most of his team is made up of African-Americans, and they’re the ones bringing in all the money to continue lining his very old, very crusty pockets…pockets that are probably also lined with Werther’s Original candies. Old people love Werther’s.
With all the controversy arising so quickly, there is rumor of a possible picket or sit-in by the L.A. Clippers, with the team refusing to play until Sterling makes a public apology or is removed from his position by the NBA. An apology seems highly unlikely, though, as Sterling has showed no signs of remorse for the things he has said, past or present.
This is not the first time that Sterling has inflamed controversy with his racist behavior. As a building owner and landlord, Sterling has been sued twice in the past by the U.S. Federal Government for refusing to rent apartments or houses to African Americans and Latinos. He was also brought to court for racial discrimination by former Clippers executive Elgin Baylor, but a Grand Jury somehow found that situation to be without merit, and threw out the case. Reports that those Grandy Jury members are now kicking themselves in the ass have yet to be substantiated.
As always happens during times of racist controversy, there are several big names who have weighed in on the subject via social media website Twitter, with the hashtag #Sterling trending. Sports and political commentator Keith Olbermann tweeted his thoughts: “time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can’t defend him.”
Many other people in the sports world have also levied their thoughts, including Meek Mill, Dominique Wilkins, and Magic Johnson himself, who said “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.”
No comment yet has been made by the NBA or Sterling himself.