Usman Farooqi
Professor Curseen
English 2150
Despite all the progress that has been made towards racism, it still exists in America. Audio clips were released by TMZ of a conversation between Donald Sterling, former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and V. Stiviano, thought to be his girlfriend. During their conversation, Sterling made racist remarks aimed at African Americans by telling Stiviano to not bring Magic Johnson, an NBA Hall of Famer with the Los Angles Lakers, to Clippers games and that it bothered him that she associated with black people. He tells her, “Don’t put him on Instagram for the world to see so they have to call me,” after Stiviano posts a picture of her with Magic Johnson. John Branch write an article for the New York Times called, “N.B.A. Bars Clippers Owner Donald Sterling for Life,” which discusses this controversy and the punishment given to Sterling. This issue has had an impact on NBA player, especially the Los Angeles Clippers, and everyone revolved around the NBA, and even the sports community as a whole.
During the time of the playoffs, this issue was overwhelming and distracting, especially for the Clippers because, “it’s hard for players to play for a person you know doesn’t have respect for you.” Clippers players started wearing their practice shirts inside out which concealed the team’s name and this showed how the team felt about the situation. Everyone who was involved with the NBA and against Sterling wanted him to be removed from ownership and the NBA. There were even talks of boycotting games if players felt that the league didn’t give Sterling the punishment that he deserved. Magic Johnson said he won’t attend another Los Angeles Clippers game as long as Donald Sterling remained as the team’s owner. Other NBA icons also made comments that showed that they were against Sterling. Michael Jordan said, “As an owner, I’m obviously disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views. I’m confident that (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver will make a full investigation and take appropriate action quickly.” LeBron James also commented on the situation by saying that, “There’s no room for Donald Sterling in the NBA. … It’s very disrespectful, and it’s appalling.”
The National Basketball Association banned Donald Sterling from the NBA and removed him as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. He was also given a fine of $2.5 million, which is the largest that the league bylaws would allow. After this punishment, Adam Silver states that, “The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views. They simply have no place in the N.B.A.” Magic Johnson and everyone else opposed to Donald Sterling were very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Sliver’s ruling. Clippers fans began promoting the slogan “We Are One,” and “Fans + Players = Clippers Nation.” This shows that the community is still strong and united.
Donald Sterling’s ban from the NBA and removal from ownership marked a great and defining moment in history. Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento, states, “I believe that today stands as one of those great moments where sports once again transcends, where sports provides a place for fundamental change on how our country should think and act.” This shows that sports is more than just a game and that, “sports has played a pivotal role in advancing civil rights — Tommie Smith, John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics; great leaders like Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Arthur Ashe, Jason Collins and our very own Jackie Robinson.” The Donald Sterling case is viewed as another victory and great progress towards racism in America.
Branch, John. “N.B.A. Bars Clippers Owner Donald Sterling for Life.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 May 2015.
Moore, David Leon. “Donald Sterling Racism Allegations Ignite NBA Outrage.” USA Today. Gannett, 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 May 2015.
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