It’s a topic about racism in a “post-racial” America as L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s feelings about minorities have come to light. In an audio recording obtained and published by TMZ, Sterling is reprimanding his mixed race girlfriend for posting pictures of herself with African-Americans on Instagram. “You can sleep with [black people],” Sterling said. “You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.”
L.A. Clippers president Andy Roeser issued a statement about the incident, stating that further investigation is needed before any serious action is taken. “We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or 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,” Roeser continued. “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.”
This isn’t the first time Sterling has been accused of racism, the owner has been sued twice by the federal government for refusing to rent apartments to Blacks and Latinos.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Twitter has made it abundantly clear that this situation is imperative to our place in society as #DonaldSterling has been a trending topic for the past two days. Users have called for the Clippers to boycott tonight’s game and for Sterling’s immediate resignation. Magic Johnson took to Twitter saying “LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.” Johnson also promises that he will not attend another Clippers game as long as Sterling is the owner.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has stated that the team will play as the playoffs is their focus and their way of combatting this issue is by standing together as a team. But when will self-respect and respect for those affected by such racism trump a basketball game?
America loves to remind us that racism and slavery are things of the past. But are they really? Sterling sits in a position of power not only above his White colleagues but more importantly above his Black team members. Members of which he owns and thrives from.
He sleeps with a half Black/half Mexican woman and has no problem rubbing elbows with the African American elite, but refuses to “promote” his associations on social media. His “loyal” players find it more important to give their fans a championship than to take a stance and be the example our Black and Latino children need.
So Vixens, what are your thoughts on this controversial matter? Let us know in our comments section. Flip through to see what Twitter had to say.
