Finally, an objective voice has emerged above the runaway train lynch-mob mentality that seems hell-bent on stringing up LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
That would be one Larry Elder, a best-selling author and radio talk show host, who pointed out some apparent hypocrisies in his article which recently appeared in the printed sports section of this newspaper regarding the Sterling snafu. And BTW, Elder just happens to be a black man.
Let's look at some of the issues Elder raised, and perhaps a bit beyond.
First of all, few would doubt the relevant conversation(s) Sterling had with his "girlfriend" were meant to be private -- at least by Sterling himself. Yet, for her own reasons, she secretly recorded them. At that point in time, perhaps no harm done. But when that girlfriend offered up such a recording for public consumption and scrutiny -- she broke the law. A private citizen recording someone else without their knowledge, much less consent, then making such a tape available to others is a crime. Sterling's words may have been offensive to many, but he didn't break any laws. There's a difference.
Elder further pointed out that if Sterling was such a racist, then why would he have hired a very expensive black coach, one Doc Rivers, who happens to be married to a white woman? Further yet, the girlfriend in question is a black Latina herself. Sterling may or may not be a lot of things, but he's a billionaire. I don't care if he's 80 or 180. Tell me a billionaire couldn't have "arm candy" of whatever color he chooses -- and I'll tell you you're mistaken. There's never been and never will be a shortage of gold diggers of all stripes. They're out there -- waiting for an opportunity.
Elder also wondered why a man such as filmmaker Spike Lee, a court side fixture at NY Knicks games, can openly express his animosity toward interracial couples, yet suffer no repercussions for doing so. Lee himself was quoted as saying he gives them a "look". Daggers. This would seem to be a racist attitude itself. One is left to wonder whether Spike Lee would give Doc Rivers and his wife the same "look" if they ever crossed paths. Somehow I think Spike would come up on the short end of a stare down with Doc, but it's just another dose of hypocrisy.
Charles Barkley, whom I'd long admired for his candor and wit, recently made an outrageous statement himself. He said the NBA was a black league. Really Chuck? Last time I looked, the NBA not only had a bunch of American white players, but "anglos" from Canada and various denominations from European countries. Throw in the South Americans and even Yao Ming, who hailed from China. It would seem Barkley's attitude on this matter is every bit as racist as the remarks attributed to Donald Sterling. Yet for some reason, Charles got a free pass after uttering such a public remark. It's like it never happened. Gee, I wonder why that is? But Charles briefly exposed his inner feelings regarding such matters, and yours truly promptly dumped him as a fan when he did. I had long thought he was above that -- but I was apparently mistaken.
In his article, Elder also noted that between white, blacks, and Hispanics, a recent survey found blacks are the most racist -- even according to blacks.
So there can be little doubt that while Donald Sterling is the sacrificial lamb of the day, the underlying roots of the problem are much deeper, and likely aren't going away any time soon. It's just human nature, flawed as it is.
And speaking of flawed, anyone who really thinks the whole Donald Sterling case is a slam dunk and he will be quickly severed of his ownership of the LA Clippers -- is likely vastly mistaken in their logic as well.
This could drag on for months, even many years, before it's finally over.
Taking a look at the possibilities -- next time.....
No comments:
Post a Comment