BANISHMENT ! ! ! !

It’s true that as a society, we have come a long way from the days of selling slaves and forcing them to work in the cotton fields. But, if you think that racism has completely died since the days of Martin Luther King, then you’re totally wrong.  Racism is like the plague that can’t be killed and if you would like evidence of racism, all you have to do is turn on the 10 o’clock new. From the work place to the church one attends on Sunday, racism still has a heartbeat.

Racism can even be found in sports. Former hall of fame NFL player Reggie White made some racial comments about Native Americans and Asians. ESPN talk show host Rob Parker even went so far as to call NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III a “Cornball brother.” Stereotypical comments like these can be found in every sport and on every playing field in America. But no comments were so brutal as the comments made by former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.



V. Stiviano Instagram
photo with Magic Johnson



Donald Sterling and his girlfriend V. Stiviano had a conversation that was caught on tape in which Sterling degraded the African American people. Apparently the whole argument started when his girlfriend posted a picture on Instagram of her and NBA legend Magic “Irving” Johnson. Sterling wasn’t happy with the photos being posted for the whole world to see and mentioned to Stiviano that she shouldn’t be associated with black people. He even suggested that she erase all of her black friends from Instagram. He also told Stiviano that he doesn’t want her bringing “black people” to his Clipper games. When Stiviano finally confronts Sterling by informing him that he hires black players Sterling responds by saying that he supports his players by giving them food, clothes, money, houses and cars.

Many fans, players and owners responded to Donald Sterling’s comment. Some went on ESPN and made their opinions known of what they thought of the comments and what they think should happen to Donald Sterling. Others decided to fire back on social media like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Even the great Magic “Johnson stated that he wouldn’t attend another Los Angeles Clippers game as long as Donald Sterling is the owner. However, the biggest statement wasn’t made by one single person; it was made by the LA Clippers themselves. During a playoff game against the Warriors, the Clippers players decided to take off their normal warm up jerseys with the Clippers logo on it to reveal a pure red t-shirt with nothing on it. The symbolism was clear; they’re playing for each other not the owner (http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/27/clippers-silent-protest-donald-sterling.ap/). You can tell that the relationship between the players were strong, but the relationship between them and management had been tarnished.

Three days after the tape was leaked new NBA President Adam Silver held a press conference to announce Donald Sterlings' future with the NBA. According to article written on ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10857580/donald-sterling-los-angeles-clippers-owner-receives-life-ban-nba), President Silver issued Donald Sterling a life ban from the NBA. This means that Sterling would be immediately banned from attending any NBA games or practices as well as being present in any NBA building for business or personal decision relating to any NBA teams or players. Sterling was even fined by the NBA 2.5 million dollars. President Silver was very stern and clear noting that there is no place for racism in the NBA. This has been the stiffest punishment ever issued to a team owner as well as to someone associated with the NBA.

Several weeks later, former owner Donald Sterling sold the LA Clippers for 2 billion dollars.  It’s sad that our society frequently falls into patterns where racial profiling occurs. No person should be judged by another due to his/her race, ethnicity, or gender. Just as President Silver said that there is no place for racism in the NBA, there should also be no place for racism in the world we live in.

Here is the full video conference of NBA President Adam Silver banning Donald Sterling.