I'm not much for telling grown folks how they should live or react to adversity in their lives. In fact I'm normally the one that says live and let live, but there are times when molds must be broken and if ever there was a time then this, most assuredly is it. By looking at the title and the picture above I'm sure that we all know that this is about the "shituation" in L.A. with the owner Donald Sterling.
 |
| Clips New Additions 2013-2014 Season |
After hearing the audio of what is alleged to be Donald's remarks, I'm certainly not surprised to find out that a filthy rich, older man would hold on some of the beliefs that he grew up with, especially if it's worked for you for more than 80 years. I'm also not surprised that so many are offended by the remarks, and finally I am least surprised by the Clippers President Andy Roeser's decision to put out a statement that seems to reduce Mr. Sterling's statements as an attempt to "get even" after a bad breakup, by his former girlfriend or mistress.
It seems to me that more and more each week there is some old
White man spewing remarks that would harken us all back to the good ole days. You know the days when my Black ass would be serving massa a cool mint julep in a brass cup on the big ole porch on the plantation. Here's the rub racist white guy - the good ole days were not good for everyone. The days of free labor are long gone and should stay that way. The days of "staying in one's place" is a thing of the past never to be revisited. The day of racist remarks going unchallenged is a thing of the past but the day of making one pay for the fraudulent check that their dumb asses tried to pawn off on the rest of the world, is something that is still in question.
If you listened to the audio and are not offended, I have no issue with that but if you can do so and fail to see why others would be, then I would say you lack compassion & decency. Chances are that the majority do understand so no need to belabor that point except for to say that we should all work on helping Mr. Sterling and others like him to understand why this "good ole boy" way of thinking is harmful to the inclusive process that is supposed to be the American Way.
Andy Roeser, president of the L.A. Clippers, today issued the following statement:
“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. 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.”
While I'm fine with the idea of a statement being made from the front office of the Clippers, I want to bring attention to the highlighted part of the statement, "Get Even", by asking a simple question directly to Mr. Roeser; Are we to give the rambling musings of a racist a pass because someone was out to
"get even"? Nigga please!!!! That is a part that would have been better served being left out of the statement. It's as if saying that she was out to get him made him the racist that he appears to be or spew his racist nonsense and attempts to exonerate Sterling from his hate speech.
 |
| Russell, Ali, Brown & Jabbar |
I won't go on a tirade on what should or should not be done. I won't even try to compare the social and moral stances taken by some of our athletes in the 60 & 70 to the ones that seem not to want to take a stance now. Instead I'll make a suggestion to a few groups as to what can be done by starting at the top.
- 1) The Owners should take a unified public stance and then make a unified statement justifying the stance that they have taken in order for us, the consumer to determine if it is in line with what we will continue to support.
- 2) The Clippers should refuse take part in the playoffs until this matter is resolved. Due process is understood so getting to the bottom of this will be a priority if the owners want to get the playoff money that is needed to line their pockets.
- 3) The NBA Players should refuse to participate in the playoffs until the owners step up and take charge of one of their own gone commando. Imagine what can be done if each of the 16 teams refused to finish the opening round of these playoffs (the most competitive opening round in the history of the playoffs) until the issue was investigated, resolved and punishment doled out. This is a league that is 80% Black so this can't all fall on the Clipper's they are a small part in the cog. There is revenue sharing so each owner gets a part of the pie so this has to be affected for change.
- 4) The Fans should stop watching the playoffs, especially the Clippers until the issue is resolved.
- 5) The Media should refuse to cover the Clippers except for the scandal until there is resolution. There are enough people that have come on TV in waxing poetic on how appalled they are about that statements being attributed to Mr. Sterling some have even said that they are in no way surprised as these and similar statements have been whispered in the corridors of the Clippers front office since he's owned the team. I ask them; what are you willing to do to "facilitate" the change?
 |
| A Damn Shame |
Here's why this is important to each and every one of us no matter what color, creed or gender you happen to be, this is a man that has the ability to cost lives, careers and livelihoods. This is a man that would seem just as likely to hold a woman back as much as he would a Black person. This is a man that has the audacity to think that his money holds him to an elite status where the rules are and should be applied differently for he and his power elite. This is a man that clearly seems to think he is bigger than the NBA. I remember thinking that the NBA would be boring once Jordan retired but then came Kobe. I also remember thinking that same thing again but then came Lebron then K.D and now Damian Lillard, Step Curry and others. The one thing that time as a fan has taught me is that if the game could continue on without Jordan then it damn well can do so without Donald Sterling. I get that some of the players have waited a lifetime for the moment to compete for a championship but the more pertinent issue seems to be at hand. It's time for us all to take a stand by sitting this one out.
 |
| Boycott Sterling 2014 |
