Last night Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, who made most of his fortune in the Real Estate industry, was interviewed for the first time since the release of the racially insensitive comments recorded in his conversation. The original conversation that lead to his NBA ban has been a popular topic of conversation since there release and has brought to the forefront many old racist ideas that still exist in 2014. The words of Mr. Sterling were enough to make someone cringe and the ignorance of the woman involved made the situation no better as he told her how he did not appreciate pictures with "black people" on her Instagram. He also made statements saying that he did not want her to bring any black people to the games. It is to be noted that the woman behind this scandal, V. Stiviano, was not his wife and is of African American and Hispanic decent.
These statements have gotten Sterling banned from the league and may cause a chance of his family losing the team as a whole but these statements have also brought healthy conversation to the table. The issue of race is clearly alive and well in our nation. In the latest interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Sterling did not clear the air at all but seemed to dig a bigger whole for himself. He began the interview stating the expected "I am not a racist" quote and claims that the Clippers players still love him. As he has said before the interview that he is Jewish and from inner city Los Angeles, California therefore he couldn't be racist. The past of this man says different as he has paid millions in settlements regarding racial housing discrimination and has been accused by long time Clippers executive and NBA legend, Elgin Baylor, as being racist and having a "plantation mentality" towards the team. Baylor said that Donald Sterling once said that he want a "southern white coach" for his African American team.
As the interview developed, Sterling seemed to take a unique stance in racially based questions. This man began to diagnose the issues in the black community. Stating that when African Americans get large amount of money, they do not help the black community.This statement may unfortunately hold weight although he said this with racial bias and with comparison that seemed to paint the Jewish as a superior race. As I look back into my own childhood, I cannot think of many times that children in the City of Oakland were helped by a wealthy African Americans. Besides people in church, there aren't many times that children in inner cities are exposed to African Americans in suits at all. NBA players and entertainers may donate at times to sports teams, give small charity from programs and holiday ham yet alot of the times this seems like a drop in the bucket to places that can have a 50% poverty rate from African Americans.
Sterling went on to speak of Magic Johnson individually saying that he is not a good role model for inner city Los Angeles due to him having HIV. He says that Magic Johnson should be ashamed of himself and asked "what has he done in East L.A". Magic Johnson in many people's eyes was the first notable African American to bring big business to inner city neighborhoods that constantly lack investment. Statements about Magic Johnson seemingly stem from the jealousy of his mistress taking instagram pictures and talks of Magic Johnson planning to buy the Clippers due the NBA pushing for a change in ownership. Although Donald Sterling's wife Shelly Sterling is attempting to keep her half of the team and may succeed, there is a chance that these comments may reflect negatively on the Sterling Family's stake in the Clippers. This may be the sign to Magic Johnson to push for the team. Magic Johnson is to comment of CNN with Anderson Cooper later on today.
While Donald Sterling has forced us to look at issues of race, there are bigger issues involved. As African Americans we have to make a investment in the communities that we call home. This regards ownership and expansion of businesses beyond liquor stores. Sterling's comments show that it is not just a "black radical" that has noticed that blacks have not made a investment in their own race. Truth of the matter is that racially the world is separate and people identify with there own races. As we talk about Oprah, P.Diddy, Dr.Dre and even Magic Johnson we have to be critical of them. What have they really done with these hundreds of millions of dollars in the communities that African Americans grow up in. All charity is not the same and some charities are for show. What can 50 million dollars do for HBCUs? What can 50 million dollars do for the failing schools in inner cities? What can 50 million do for places like Oakland, Birmingham and Chicago? It will do a whole lot for the community and keep people like Donald Sterling from feeling as superior as they do now.
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