I am still in shock over the racist rant of Clippers owner Donald Sterling this weekend. However, what is equally astonishing is that he was set to receive the lifetime achievement award from the NAACP at its upcoming 100th anniversary gala in Los Angeles. I am dumbfounded how someone who allegedly holds such hateful views would even maintain a basketball team in Los Angeles, but the thought that he might have received an award from the NAACP is truly otherworldly. The legal options for the NBA will now take center stage in the controversy. In the meantime, there is no conclusive proof that it was Sterling on the tapes, which is now the focus of the investigation.
Over the weekend, various sites published messages from Sterling to his girlfriend (who is part African American and Mexican) that were reportedly triggered by her posting an innocent picture with Magic Johnson. Well, who would not post a picture with Magic Johnson. Clearly Donald Sterling would not. He has been quoted on various sites as telling his girlfriend V. Stiviano that “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” (3:30) Then two hours later, he is quoted as saying “You can sleep with [black people]. 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.” (5:15) Then two hours later (yes, there seems to be a pattern in eruptions) there is another missive: “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” (7:45). Then two hours later, that is “…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.” (9:13)
Don’t bring black people to my games? He runs a team in Los Angeles where ten percent of the population is black.
The NAACP was going to give Sterling an award despite a prior lawsuit by former Clippers exec Elgin Baylor for racial discrimination (Sterling won the case but many are now reexamining the allegations for obvious reasons) What is fascinating is that this was going to be the second lifetime achievement award (I always assumed you got one per life but that is just me). The last NAACP award was given while he was being such for racial discrimination.
Sterling was born Donald Tokowitz and later changed his name to Sterling. He was born in 1934 in Chicago and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles (1956) and Southwestern University School of Law (1960) in Los Angeles. He worked as a divorce and personal injury attorney.
The team has not confirmed or denied that it is Sterling’s voice but said that it is investigating to see if anything was altered or faked. It issued a statement that the comments do not reflect Sterling’s true feelings about black fans or black people in general.
There is a call for Sterling to sell the team, though he may be less inclined to do so in a distressed position where buyers will want a discounted price.
The interesting legal question is whether the NBA can effectively move against an owner for his private racist views. If you recall, the National Baseball Association faced such a controversy with Margaret Unnewehr Schott when she was the president and CEO of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds. Yet, only one owner has been suspended in 68 years under the NBA, though others have been fined. The rules are exceptionally vague and confidential. Commissioner Adam Silver is allowed to act to protect the “best interests” of the game. This includes the right to investigate and fine. However, trying to force the sale of a team for privately held views could raise serious legal issues. There is reportedly a power to force the sale of a team but I would be skeptical of the ability to do so without some serious legal challenges. They could clearly suspend Sterling which may be the best option if the tapes are authenticate. That would allow Sterling to keep that team and not be forced into a distress sale (and likely litigation with the NBA).
I am also curious as to how this tape was made. I believe that California is a two party consent state. The question is whether the taping violated the law. This is likely to get even messier as we drill down on these facts.
Source: USA Today
Hi Karen S.
I hope you don’t think I think Nick is anti-Semitic. I have stated three times that Nick is not anti-Semitic. They are listed in my note @ 1:17.
And your surprise upon learning that “shyster” is offensive perfectly illustrates the problem. Sometimes “tribe” is offensive. It depends on the context. Your definitions are spot on, but don’t cover every way it is used. Nick knew this. He, himself, said it was “not PC” A nice woman and friend to Nick, leej, independently questioned the use of “tribe”.and said her initial hope was that someone would call it out. Rock also thought it offensive. (@ 12:41).
And your story about your aunt reminds me of a lesson I recently learned while visiting friends in AZ. You NEVER ask a rancher how many cows he has!
Learning stuff is a wonderful thing.
And Paul, absolutely, she could be charged with illegally recording a private conversation here in CA.
Here’s a link about Sterling’s wife suing the girlfriend, V Stiviano:
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/2014/04/29/meet-v-stiviano-donald-sterlings-girlfriend/8449131/
The wronged wife wants the return of the millions of dollars her cheating husband lavished on his mistress. I don’t blame the courtesan; I blame the husband. Instead of suing the mistress, she should divorce the jerk and be done with him. I suspect there is not a strong bond or great love between them, especially with his low character.
Now that is an interesting lawsuit that might soon appear on this blog. Thanks!
They seem to have been estranged for some time. 🙂 But some marriages are like that. I think Mrs. Sterling is not exactly an innocent party in this. If she watched the Clipper games, this gal was with Sterling at a lot of them. So this wouldn’t have been a surprise. Although, I am not sure what one person does with 4 upscale cars. 😉
Paul S
You are absolutely incorrect in saying that I said you and Nick are anti-Semitic.
Here are three notes where I have specifically stated Nick was not anti-Semitic:
from me to Nick 4/28 @1:12
from me to leej 4/28 @ 2:01
from me to SL 4/28 @ 12:30
These three notes from me should satisfy you that I found the author of your source was anti-Semitic. Not you.
from me to you 4/28 @ 2:50
from me 4/28 @ 6:11
from me to Nick 4/28 @ 6:20
Please take a look. You level serious charge that is not true and it damages my reputation.
Thanks.
Do you know, I honestly never knew the word “tribe” could be construed as an insult. To me, tribe means a family (“go find where the Walton tribe has camped at the campground”) or any group, a literal tribe like the Chumash, or even The Twelve Tribes of Israel, which I have always thought was a beautiful phrase. It’s always had positive connotations to me. If I hear a phrase like “Jews all belong to the same tribe” I think about their unity as a people through thousands of years of adversity. It just means persevering and sticking together to me, in that context.
Nick – I honestly do not follow non-equestrian sports, or sports ownership. Are Jewish NBA owners rare, so it would be tempting for Commissioner Stern to ignore racist allegations against Sterling, because he was so glad to finally have more diversity in ownership? Or were they friends who shared a strong bond of faith? Or possibly, the problem could have been that private opinions are not illegal, and not actionable, to a degree? I’ve heard that team owners often get away with a lot. From reading your posts, I certainly do not think that you are anti-Semitic.
I think the problem is that the Jews have suffered discrimination and persecution for thousands of years. There are phrases in the vernacular whose anti-Semitic roots have been forgotten. I recall my Jewish aunt gently explained to me that Shyster was an anti-Semitic term referring to Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. I used that term frequently when referring to anyone dishonest who tries to take advantage of people. I was shocked and embarrassed that I was using a slur without ever realizing it; and it was such an ingrained habit that I still have to stop myself before it pops out.
Schulte, as to your last comment and concerns, better late than never, as they say.
Schulte, my point was and is that, had Silver not taken strongest possible action, probably even more corporate sponsors would have walked, players in all play-off games would have refused to play, some unknown percentage of fans would’ve stayed away, etc. The game went on last night and there was fantastic reception – though not a full house – precisely because of Silver’s action. Dirtball’s previous offenses had not been widely enough known. Nuthin’ like a tape to do the trick.
Rock – if the teams don’t play according to the rules the owners are fined.
And the teams would forfeit the games. The Clippers could end up champions without actually having to play another game.
About the empty seats, I think the tickets were sold (my understanding) but people boycotted (which is their right. Not sure about that though.
Rock – groups who have been marginalized by society: i.e.; blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Roman Catholics, have often helped each other. I do not know the situation between Sterling and Stern, but I can say after seeing the list of stuff Sterling has done in the past, Stern should have stepped in at some point.
This particular case bothers me because it is a case of the mad wife suing the gf to get property back, who then gets mad and exposes the recording, which is a violation in California (which is a two-party consent state). Sterling, given all that he is or isn’t, is really having the screws puts to him. As Donald Trump said, She’s the gf from hell.
Oops! Forgot to include the other obvious and probably real reason: Sterling’s previous actions didn’t threaten NBA w/financial catastrophe as did latest. NOW I’m done with this.
Rock – given the reception of the Clippers last night, I am not sure the finances have been threatened.
It was sickening to hear Sterling’s comments to his girlfriend (or mistress, if he is still married.) It is true that he has a history of being accused of racism. At least two of the men who sued him were absolutely howling over how the NAACP kept giving him awards with no apparent background check.
Although it is not illegal to privately hold racist views, as long as he does not discriminate as an employer or renter, we all obviously want to show our displeasure and rejection of his views. Fining him has done nothing to change his opinions; he’s already paid millions of dollars for racist behavior. I just don’t want the innocent players or employees hurt by any action, like boycotting the games. They have enough to deal with already.
It’s ironic, but his sickening comments have one positive effect of showing how far this country has come in rejecting racism. Many different races, creeds, and political affiliations have united in denouncing him. If the majority of the US were still racist, there would not be this united outrage. Human nature being what it is, we’ll always have some bad apples, and we should always strive for improvement. But it is encouraging to see how many see this man as completely and utterly wrong.
Byron
Glad you agree about eliminating the word from the blog. And I thought it was pretty great that the guys apologized .
no = not
feynman:
A couple of years ago I was waiting to have dinner with my wife at a restaurant in one of those multi-use shopping areas, nice place in a middle to upper middle class area of the county. Anyway, as my wife and I were window shopping 2 black males about 16 or 17 were walking by and ones says to the other ‘hey n****r what movie are we going to?” I must have had a really shocked look on my face because the one who said it immediately said to me “oh, I am sorry sir, my apologies.”
I should have told them that was a dispicable word but by the time I thought about it they had passed by.
I am not into censorship but that word should be eradicated from all lexicons.
Byron – Sarah Silverman thinks it is alright for liberals to use the n word because they don’t mean it. However, I am of the opinion that words either belong to everyone or no one. They are no exclusive to one group or another. So, if a word is limited to a certain group, it shouldn’t be used by them either.
nick:
“As you might imagine the smell of wood is incredible.”
That is what Sterling’s ex-girlfriend says.
Paul,
Upstream I just ran across a note to me from you that says I said you and Nick were anti-Semetic.
If true, that would be a very serious charge and one I did not make.
Here is what I said to Nick after he sent me the insulting ‘flop rule’.
Mr. Spinelli,
I do not think you are anti-Semitic. I think you were trying for clever, and missed. I understand PC standards are important to you. Trouble is, they are to me, too.
*****************************************************************************************
There is a note to leej, where I made the same statement.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is what I said about your link:
Paul S.
Probably cheap. Dem? No.
And to further my position, your second of your D list “source” is
ANTI-SEMITIC!
*******************************************************************
I would greatly appreciate it if you would acknowledge that I did NOT say you and Nick were anti-Semitic.
Thanks.
If the phrase is “he is a Jew, for what it is worth” it is anti-Semitic (as discussed)
Dirty Jew? Cheap Jew? Rotten Jew? Yes. They are epithets and anti-Semitic.
New York Jew? Epithet.
To simply call someone a Jew, without additional adjectives, I would want to consider the context before making a judgement. Why are you using “contend”?
It’s okay to say “do you think calling a ….”
The Chinks? What’s the story behind that? I guess we should be pleased that stupid isn’t forever.
Pekin HS in Illinois were known as The Chinks[mascot] up into the 1980’s. Pekin is near Peoria.
Do you contend calling a Jew, a “Jew”, an epithet?
Mr. Spinelli
No one would dare accuse you of dancing.
I can’t image you would ever call one of the little Asian kids you coached a c***k.
Nor would you call a black child a n*****.
When reading comments and suddenly, unexpectedly, coming across those ethnic slurs, it’s like getting punched in the face. Why do you insist on doing it?
And yes, things are constantly changing. Twenty years ago there were places that didn’t blink an eye when n***** was used. That’s not true today. I haven’t seen nor heard c***k used since, maybe, 1950.
It’s very odd that you seem to wear it as a badge of honor. And just as you don’t dance, I’ll not ignore it.
Lee said something pretty interesting about this. She said she hoped someone would say something. She’s right. Somebody should and I will.
feyman, The PC rules are constantly changing. There was a time, not long ago, when saying someone is a Jew was what everyone said. Now, some look askance, you are supposed to say they are Jewish. I find it’s PC gentiles who usually pull that horseshit. Just like it’s PC whites who write all the PC rules. I don’t dance.