First it was Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson. Then it was Cliven Bundy, the star of the short-lived reality show, Militias Mischief.
Now it's Donald Sterling, real estate mogul and billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, caught on tape telling us What He Really Feels About the Blacks.
It's a shocking and infuriating 9½-minute bit of tape that should embarrass the NBA and force new commissioner Adam Silver into action.
According to TMZ's recording, Sterling went on to chide his girlfriend, who is half-African-American and half-Mexican, for bringing African-Americans to Clipper games, even if those guests in question were of exalted status as Magic is, and even if she’s never done as much.
The recording is an absolutely depressing listen, to say the least. Here are some of the snippets, according to TMZ, from Sterling, who told his girlfriend V. Stiviano that he feels “very strongly” about her “broadcasting” the fact she briefly spoke and posed with a very famous black man:
-- "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?" (3:30)
-- "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)
-- "...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)
Here is my question: Who is calling him about taking a picture with Magic Johnson? Magic Johnson?! You have to be kidding me. Those are some deeply racist concern trolls to freak out over an Instagram with Magic Johnson.
Magic Johnson responds:
Magic tells us, "It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans."
He adds, "He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base."
http://www.tmz.com/...
This is not Sterling's first run-in with racial issues. Here is an ESPN article dated August 7, 2006.
Sterling was prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department for discriminating against prospective Hispanic and black tenants. Assuming the settlement is accepted by a U.S. district judge, Sterling will have the special distinction of giving the Justice Department the largest payout ever for a case involving apartment rentals.[...]
This federal lawsuit wasn't an aberration but part of an alarming racist pattern. In 2003, some of Sterling's tenants filed a housing discrimination suit against him, alleging -- among other things -- that Sterling didn't want any black or brown folks in one of his apartment buildings. Nor did he want any children.
If you had the misfortune of belonging to the wrong ethnic group while you lived in one of Sterling's buildings, your rent checks were refused, you were harassed, threatened or evicted and the Clippers might make the playoffs before anything was repaired in your apartment.
One of Sterling's property managers testified that after Sterling bought one apartment building, the new owner remarked that the building carried a stench because "all the blacks in this building, they smell, they're not clean. And it's because of all of the Mexicans that just sit around and smoke and drink all day." That suit was settled confidentially in 2005.
http://sports.espn.go.com/...
10:15 AM PT: Donald Sterling is a conflicted mess.
David Sterling who lost a major lawsuit brought by the DOJ for discriminating against African Americans and Latinos, has a black and Latino girlfriend, while apparently remaining married to his wife, who sued this current girlfriend to return "all cash, land, expensive cars and other items that under California law are the community property of the Sterlings."
Then there's this excerpt from the the racial discrimination lawsuit from Hall of Famer and ex-Clippers' General Manager, Elgin Baylor.
"While ignoring my suggestions and isolating me from decisions customarily reserved for general managers, the Clippers attempted to place the blame for the team’s failures on me," Baylor said in the declaration. "During this same period, players Sam Cassell, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette complained to me that DONALD STERLING would bring women into the locker room after games, while the players were showering, and make comments such as, 'Look at those beautiful black bodies.' I brought this to Sterling’s attention, but he continued to bring women into the locker room."
http://espn.go.com/...
If you want to explore more Not Safe For Work reading about Donald Sterling check out Deadspin
11:31 AM PT: Magic Johnson says fans should boycott the Clippers.
Magic says he feels betrayed by Sterling, telling us, "I thought we were friends. We've broken bread together several times. It's almost like, do you smile in my face but behind my back you talk about me? I'd have felt better in 1979 if you would have just told me you don't like African Americans, and then I would have known how to deal with you."
Magic says he strongly believes the players should focus on playing basketball and should NOT boycott Sunday's playoff game. BUT, Magic thinks African Americans should not line Sterling's pockets by going to the games, saying, "He wants our money but doesn't want us to show up."
As for what should happen to Sterling, Magic is clear: "He has to step down or sell the team."
http://www.tmz.com#ixzz301C54tZH
11:32 AM PT: Statement from the National Basketball Association:
NBA Executive Vice President of Communications Mike Bass issued a statement saying, "We are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the audio recording obtained by TMZ."
He continues, "The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information."
http://www.tmz.com/...
1:26 PM PT:
1:44 PM PT:
1:49 PM PT:
Former Georgetown and Indiana guard Jeremiah Rivers, the older brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Austin Rivers and eldest son of Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers took to Twitter to voice his issues regarding the comments made my his dad's employer.
http://www.sportingnews.com/...
2:01 PM PT: Last update: I have to go to work, so I won't be back on until after 9 PM PT.