Looking for genuine discourse re: Donald Sterling/NBA

[DutchJazzer]

So what do you guys make of the NAACP stuff? He's been given awards for minority outreach in the past, been profiled in the L.A. Times for the same thing, and was supposed to be given another award here by them in a few weeks. Just doing some good to cover up for the rottenness in his soul? I think that's what a lot of philanthropy boils down to honestly - both at the individual and institutional levels. Have to keep that veener shiny.

so his deeds/actions have done more for minorities(i assume african american and latinos). that his words.

so we judge him on his words but not on his actons?

 

[Duck Rodgers]

so his deeds/actions have done more for minorities(i assume african american and latinos). that his words.

so we judge him on his words but not on his actons?

That's exactly what I'm saying. It's a blurry picture. I don't know the guy, but he's clearly got some issues that seem contradictory to his charity work. Words seem to bring unnecessarily heavy handed action though every time because of the political correctness gestapo. I personally don't believe in thought crime. He was never going to ban blacks from going to Clippers games or anything crazy that he was actually talking about, but it is a bit disturbing that he thinks that way. But If you want free speech, you support free speech....even if it's something you don't like. You don't go after everyone who voices something you don't agree with in the way that America seems to lately. The end result is no free speech.

 

[DutchJazzer]

That's exactly what I'm saying. It's a blurry picture. I don't know the guy, but he's clearly got some issues that seem contradictory to his charity work. Words seem to bring unnecessarily heavy handed action though every time because of the political correctness gestapo. I personally don't believe in thought crime. He was never going to ban blacks from going to Clippers games or anything crazy that he was actually talking about, but it is a bit disturbing that he thinks that way. But If you want free speech, you support free speech....even if it's something you don't like. You don't go after everyone who voices something you don't agree with in the way that America seems to lately. The end result is no free speech.

also there seem to be no repercussions for the (illegal) taping. thats the way america is being brought up to think now.

i mean if government is doing illegal things to catch "terrorist" trmapling on all rights of privacy and freedoms.
so can citizens on each other. she did something illegal to catch a "racist".

i guess the people get the government they deserve.

sigh.

jack ramsey dies. yet 2 of 3 headlines are of (alleged) racism

 

[AlaskanAssassin]

I may get blasted for my take here, but I just don't see why so many people are deeply offended by this.

First, I certainly don't feel the same way as Sterling, but we've all met plenty of people who have.

If you listen to the tape, nothing on there suggests he is racist. Racism involves beliefs or actions suggesting that one race is superior or inferior than another based simply on their race. It can also imply that races should be treated differently.

He never suggested that White people are better or superior to minorities (Hello.....he was speaking to a minority), or that they should be treated differently. He never suggested that he doesn't want black people to attend Clippers games, he asked her not to associate/publicize her relationships with minorities. Is this idiotic? Yes. But I don't see how it's different from an Indian mother only wanting her son to marry and Indian girl or a strong Black family wanting their son/daughter to marry a black person. Stephen A. Smith once wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer that his mother virtually demanded that he only marry a black woman. Is this racism? No. I had a "friend" growing up who's parents were Polish immigrants. I could only see him at school because his mom only wanted him to associate with other Polish kids. Is his Mom racist? Maybe, but I can't assume that based off of who she wanted her son to spend time with.

Do I think his comments were ridiculous? Very much so. Some people have a mentality that people should "stick to their own." Sounds like Mr. Sterling has these types of feelings, probably a result of his upbringing. (Although apparently he doesn't think it applies to himself).

Did he suggest not hiring minorities? That minorities are inferior? That minorities should be treated differently by society? No.

If anything, he's tried to overcome his buried prejudices though many positive actions directed towards minorities, as evidenced by his multiple lifetime achievement awards from the NAACP.

Keep in mind that he said these things to someone he trusted and had feelings towards in the privacy of his home. I'm ashamed that the media and society are coming down so hard on this guy. Forcing him to sell his $1 Billion business because of this? That's getting ridiculous.

 

[John Crotty]

Sounds more like an old man with dementia than a racist.

 

[HighlandHomie]

So what do you guys make of the NAACP stuff? He's been given awards for minority outreach in the past, been profiled in the L.A. Times for the same thing, and was supposed to be given another award here by them in a few weeks. Just doing some good to cover up for the rottenness in his soul?

Same thing at the core of everything - $$$$$$$$ - he obviously gave plenty of dough to the LA chapter of the NAACP to get those awards. Sadly, even the owners/heads/decision-makers of charities are mostly flawed, self-serving, money-driven people.

 

[Captain Keefe]

I may get blasted for my take here, but I just don't see why so many people are deeply offended by this.

First, I certainly don't feel the same way as Sterling, but we've all met plenty of people who have.

If you listen to the tape, nothing on there suggests he is racist. Racism involves beliefs or actions suggesting that one race is superior or inferior than another based simply on their race. It can also imply that races should be treated differently.

He never suggested that White people are better or superior to minorities (Hello.....he was speaking to a minority), or that they should be treated differently. He never suggested that he doesn't want black people to attend Clippers games, he asked her not to associate/publicize her relationships with minorities. Is this idiotic? Yes. But I don't see how it's different from an Indian mother only wanting her son to marry and Indian girl or a strong Black family wanting their son/daughter to marry a black person. Stephen A. Smith once wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer that his mother virtually demanded that he only marry a black woman. Is this racism? No. I had a "friend" growing up who's parents were Polish immigrants. I could only see him at school because his mom only wanted him to associate with other Polish kids. Is his Mom racist? Maybe, but I can't assume that based off of who she wanted her son to spend time with.

Do I think his comments were ridiculous? Very much so. Some people have a mentality that people should "stick to their own." Sounds like Mr. Sterling has these types of feelings, probably a result of his upbringing. (Although apparently he doesn't think it applies to himself).

Did he suggest not hiring minorities? That minorities are inferior? That minorities should be treated differently by society? No.

If anything, he's tried to overcome his buried prejudices though many positive actions directed towards minorities, as evidenced by his multiple lifetime achievement awards from the NAACP.

Keep in mind that he said these things to someone he trusted and had feelings towards in the privacy of his home. I'm ashamed that the media and society are coming down so hard on this guy. Forcing him to sell his $1 Billion business because of this? That's getting ridiculous.

Really good summary I could not agree more.

 

[JimLes]

Stephen A. Smith once wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer that his mother virtually demanded that he only marry a black woman. Is this racism? No.

Uh, **** yes! The idea that people should stick with their own is obviously racism. What other possible motivation could you have except superiority? Whether you put it as preserving "culture" or "genetic pool" or whatever, it's pretty clear that it's racism.

 

[babe]

tl;dr

Besides, I thought it said "intercourse".

ts, rit, htr.

trying to start some new netlingo.

too short, read it twice, had to reply.

Nobody is genuinely looking for "Discourse", for sure. Otoh, genuine intercourse would revolutionize the world. As I hear it, all the players are phonies.

 

[babe]

Sounds more like an old man with dementia than a racist.

I listened to the news on the radio all the way home last night.

Nah, the guys not really a racist, just an elitist trying to improve his girlfriend's/consort's social taste. Probably if she was flirting with Barack Obama instead of mere basketball stars he can buy for a measley million or two, he'd want the pics out there in the social media.

Not saying he's a good guy. Elitists are in my book worse than haters or racists. But our mainstream corporate media sure isn't going to out anyone for being an elitist. Fo Sho.

 

[babe]

Uh, **** yes! The idea that people should stick with their own is obviously racism. What other possible motivation could you have except superiority? Whether you put it as preserving "culture" or "genetic pool" or whatever, it's pretty clear that it's racism.

This is the low-brow notion of racism. All true elites will for sure not marry down on the money/social scales of relevance.

It's not racism for people to marry folks they feel comfortable with. Marriage is for most folks a bargain for being able to be themselves somehow. You bathe, put on your good clothes, and best manners when you go out in public. A lot of people want to go home and let their hair hang down.

Folks who wanna change the world by telling everyone else how to live, think, and talk just wear other people down too much. Fix yourself all you want, and then remember to mind your manners and don't swagger around to force others to jump through your hoops.

 

[JimLes]

It's not racism for people to marry folks they feel comfortable with. Marriage is for most folks a bargain for being able to be themselves somehow. You bathe, put on your good clothes, and best manners when you go out in public. A lot of people want to go home and let their hair hang down.

And you can't do any of that if you marry someone of different background?