By now, you’ve probably heard or read the story TMZ broke on Friday about Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling being caught on tape with his then-girlfriend, V. Stiviano, finally allowing the whole world to see him as the horrific bigot and sexist that he’s been for years. In an ironic plot twist, I’m writing about a Jewish billionaire who feels that minorities are less than human a day after Holocaust Remembrance Day. I’m not going to try to calculate the level of cognitive dissonance it must take to demand that your half-black girlfriend not associate with black people. I’m not going to try to understand the plantation mentality delusion that makes you think its unseemly and disgusting for your girlfriend to take a picture with a man who has a statue in front of your fucking arena. I’m not going to try to understand the societal pressure and strain on the conscience of wealthy black men in a position of power to have to constantly address this bullshit even if it harms them financially (btw kudos to Michael Jordan who has historically remained silent). I’m not going to try to understand the fear and paranoia that a poor black man carries when he leaves his house. I’m not going to tell my white male friends who try to lecture me about racism that they might as well lecture a woman on how to give birth because their views and opinions come from the abstract. I’m not going to get into the fact that my last name is of British origin (hint: I’m not from England). I’m not going to rant about how mother, my own fucking mother, wasn’t allowed in certain restaurants or schools or to drink from certain water fountains as a child. I’m not going to go on a rant about racism and bigotry in America because it would only give weight and credence to this ignorant dickhead’s words and actions. Instead, I’m going to leave you with the words of Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers’ son, Jeremiah Rivers. My hope, is that Doc Rivers retires, he seriously contemplates teaching parenting classes. The world needs it.
People want to
#BoycottClippers because of one man? My house has been burned to the ground, animals tortured and burned as well. Along with anything we ever loved, and held treasured, because of the color of my dads skin. We lost everything and had to start over. Did we hate the collective of people, culture, and race who’s skin was responsible for our hardship? No. One man, cannot have the power to make me feel hate towards a group, race, or another persons skin color. Nor would I allow them to have the power over me to not support the players and coaches that have done nothing wrong. Hate the man all you want, show him no mercy if you must. But the players who put on that Jersey do it because the love basketball. They want to win for the city of LA, for there families, friends, fans and themselves. Racism isn’t born, it’s taught. It is the refuge of ignorance and seeks to divide and destroy. The clippers need the people, fans, and city of LA more then ever. The team deserves it.
