Does Donald Sterling deserve a second chance?

[UCHuskies08]

You don't take something away from someone for hurting peoples feelings, as wrong as their opinion may be. You can protest, boycott, etc all you want. And lets be honest there's a portion of the black community that are racist, s e xist, homophobic... There's also a large portion of older white people in our country with those same types of feelings. I have an 85 year old uncle, probably the most racist person I know I guess he went through some things with the black community post depression or w/e but he literally believes it is socially acceptable to be as racist as his is when speaking to people. Is he a bad guy or is this a generational thing?

This is wrong.

Donald Sterling is the owner of a public facing franchise in a private organization that has a constitution with stipulations for what can cause an owner to be forced to sell.

He clearly broke those stipulations. It tarnishes the image of the league for one of the owners of a 75% black league to tell his girlfriend that he doesn't want blacks at his game. Game over. It's not a philosophical question.

If he's too old and senile to not put his dumb foot in his stupid mouth, then pass ownership control to someone else and move on.

Stop making excuses for the guy.

This has nothing to do with your uncle, or whether or not black people are racist, too. Because they don't own a professional sports franchise. You see the difference, there, right?

 

[Palatine]

Of course he should be forgiven.

It is still reasonable to expect him to pay a price. Forget but don't forget. And forgiveness is not a get out of jail free card.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Answer my question, schmuck.
Why did they play for the man knowing all this?
And where did I say am I sticking up for Sterling?

You have agreed with the political, economic and social views of each of your managers and owners?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I would be surprised if the team actually changes hands before the old man kicks the bucket.

 

[nomar]

I am still looking for comments by Doc Rivers and any of the black players who knew about Sterling PRIOR to joining the team and STILL played for him and the Clippers. How can they possibly be shocked? What Sterling has done in the past has been well documented.

They are all phonies and hypocrites and in the end throw all the racism crap out the door and all that matters is the GREEN.
Someone tell me differently.

I can't believe I'm dignifying your garbage comment with a response, but here goes.

Everyone knew Sterling was a racist creep. He'd take friends in the locker room and point out the beautiful black bodies like he was Jimmy the Greek. And of course people were aware of his legal troubles, which stemmed from discriminatory practices. However, there's a line crossed when someone says "Don't associate in public with black people." That's an explicit, ridiculous statement.

I know you think you're making this critical point that everyone else is missing. You're not. You seem to be the only one not understanding the basic point that he got caught saying something outrageous, something that nobody could look past. Yes, people were digging their head in the sand a little bit. Doc and the players said, we don't like this guy but as long as he doesn't get in our business, we'll tolerate it. He got in their business, and they had to deal with it. As did the NBA.

Get it now? You're welcome.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I can't believe I'm dignifying your garbage comment with a response, but here goes.

Everyone knew Sterling was a racist creep. He'd take friends in the locker room and point out the beautiful black bodies like he was Jimmy the Greek. And of course people were aware of his legal troubles, which stemmed from discriminatory practices. However, there's a line crossed when someone says "Don't associate in public with black people." That's an explicit, ridiculous statement.

I know you think you're making this critical point that everyone else is missing. You're not. You seem to be the only one not understanding the basic point that he got caught saying something outrageous, something that nobody could look past. Yes, people were digging their head in the sand a little bit. Doc and the players said, we don't like this guy but as long as he doesn't get in our business, we'll tolerate it. He got in their business, and they had to deal with it. As did the NBA.

Get it now? You're welcome.

And the problem with worrying about whether or not Doc, Elgin Baylor, Chris Paul or anyone made a mistake in being part of this organization is.. SO WHAT?! Because they 'signed on' for verbal abuse does that mean they ought to shut up and get back to work?! Anyone making that argument justifiably falls into the same bucket as Sterling. You can make a pretty good case that Doc took the job with some misgivings but knowing that the could handle it and if it was worse than expected he could walk. He might still do that after the season, but for now he's done a pretty good job of coaching and responding to this mess. And as it turns out it is GREAT that an intelligent and well spoken African American is essentially the current figurehead of the LA Clippers. You can make an argument that Doc is there for a reason bigger than coaching basketball.

 

[nomar]

And the problem with worrying about whether or not Doc, Elgin Baylor, Chris Paul or anyone made a mistake in being part of this organization is.. SO WHAT?! Because they 'signed on' for verbal abuse does that mean they ought to shut up and get back to work?! Anyone making that argument justifiably falls into the same bucket as Sterling. You can make a pretty good case that Doc took the job with some misgivings but knowing that the could handle it and if it was worse than expected he could walk. He might still do that after the season, but for now he's done a pretty good job of coaching and responding to this mess. And as it turns out it is GREAT that an intelligent and well spoken African American is essentially the current figurehead of the LA Clippers. You can make an argument that Doc is there for a reason bigger than coaching basketball.

Yep. This is a classic case of "blaming the victim," which ignorant people use to deflect the focus.

See, e.g., "HOW COME NOBODY WILL ANSWER ME WHY THAT GIRL WAS WEARING A MINISKIRT AND DRINKING?" See also "reverse racism."

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Yep. This is a classic case of "blaming the victim," which ignorant people use to deflect the focus.

See, e.g., "HOW COME NOBODY WILL ANSWER ME WHY THAT GIRL WAS WEARING A MINISKIRT AND DRINKING?" See also "reverse racism."

Who are the victims here?

 

[Husky25]

He absolutely does deserve a second chance, I think everyone does, but his second chance came years ago. This is Sterling's 5th or 6th chance.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I can't believe I'm dignifying your garbage comment with a response, but here goes.

Everyone knew Sterling was a racist creep. He'd take friends in the locker room and point out the beautiful black bodies like he was Jimmy the Greek. And of course people were aware of his legal troubles, which stemmed from discriminatory practices. However, there's a line crossed when someone says "Don't associate in public with black people." That's an explicit, ridiculous statement.

I know you think you're making this critical point that everyone else is missing. You're not. You seem to be the only one not understanding the basic point that he got caught saying something outrageous, something that nobody could look past. Yes, people were digging their head in the sand a little bit. Doc and the players said, we don't like this guy but as long as he doesn't get in our business, we'll tolerate it. He got in their business, and they had to deal with it. As did the NBA.

Get it now? You're welcome.

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

 

[Jaybo]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

 

[itgoeslike]

It's been widely documented that Sterling's attitude towards some has negatively impacted their lives, therefore it's not unreasonable that the very same attitude would affect his own life in a negative way. Although, unlike the people he affected, Sterling will find a way to profit greatly from the sale of the team.

 

[superjohn]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

You don't seem to understand why institutional racism is such a societal problem and you clearly don't have any grasp of the English language.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

You don't need a victim for a crime, not sure why it matters or not if Doc & players are labeled victims or simply the public face of those dealing with this .

Nonetheless the players, coaches and everyone who works for the Clippers certainly discovered that their worst fears were true and they were employed by someone that didn't respect them. This would be jarring for anybody, but when you combined it with the racist attitude of this "ownership" that Sterling has it became untenable for them to continue to work with him in charge. So he got stripped.

Now he's finally trying to fight it and try to get it back but I don't see where forgiving him or giving him any quarter is productive. The Clippers were always dysfunctional when he was in charge and it is possibly only because he became more delusional and incapable of running things that other people took over and the Clippers became more functional.

Now everyone is better served if he is out forever because no one wants to work for the guy. If the legal process makes it too difficult to oust him, employees including players and coaches will absolutely walk away. That's how he's going to be forced to sell as the market value of what he's got is attractive right now, but if he fights to retain ownership he is going to drag that value down with him.

 

[aceboon]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

lol @ "its the truth", your posts are always good for comedy with how uneducated and slack jawed you sound

 

[Pudge]

His comments from the weekend:

"I'm not a racist," Sterling told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an interview that will air Monday. "I made a terrible mistake. I'm here to apologize."

"I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and I'm asking for forgiveness," Sterling told Cooper. "Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again."

The obvious rebuttal is this isn't his first mistake. And, on top of that, it's not just a terrible one...it crosses a certain very touchy line. But, he's admitted fault. He's apologized and fallen on his sword.

Does he deserve to be forgiven and given another chance? What else could he possibly do to make up for his mistake (which, again...was said in the privacy of his own home).

HELL NO

 

[Rocktheworld]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

And do you think Sterling's attitudes and actions help to destroy or perpetuate these interracial paradigms?

 

[Jaybo]

You don't seem to understand why institutional racism is such a societal problem and you clearly don't have any grasp of the English language.

It is a problem but theres a Huge double standard.being racist and white isnt tolerated but being a black racist is excepted.

 

[Rocktheworld]

being a black racist is excepted.

lul

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

It is a problem but theres a Huge double standard.being racist and white isnt tolerated but being a black racist is excepted.

What is this: "8 wrongs make a right?" Or more?

 

[itgoeslike]

Im almost certain their are more racist blacks in the nba then any other race, yet know one makes a big deal over thier racism towards whites.

Im not a racist but its the truth

One could argue that some of the racism towards whites could be attributed to the disposition that Mr. Sterling prescribes to.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I find this whole concern about "racism by blacks toward whites" and "reverse racism" is most often raised by people who yearn for the lily white 1950s. I can't take someone seriously when they go on and on about racism toward white people.

I heard some clown at the airport the other day railing about how racist black people are and his example was he got teased playing pick up basketball.

 

[nomar]

I find B Vogel to be particularly stupid. But it was out there that Sterling once said "black people smell and attract vermin". I don't know how you get more explicit or ridiculous?

The notion that Doc and the players are victims in all of this is laughable. The real victims were the people he didn't rent property to because he thought they smelled and attracted vermin.

It was out there but it wasn't out there, obviously. Everybody is wondering how he got away with saying awful stuff without being truly called on it. Sometimes it takes saying something racist about someone famous, like Magic Johnson, to get people's attention.

You want to argue semantics about what constitutes a victim, fine. Nobody died. But black people, including the Clippers players, were justifiably angered by Sterling's comments.

 

[superjohn]

I find this whole concern about "racism by blacks toward whites" and "reverse racism" is most often raised by people who yearn for the lily white 1950s. I can't take someone seriously when they go on and on about racism toward white people.

I heard some clown at the airport the other day railing about how racist black people are and his example was he got teased playing pick up basketball.

As a white guy I cringe every time I hear other white guys cry racism. It's the same thing every time a Donald Sterling situation happens, I constantly hear white people whining about how unfair it is that they can't be racist but Al Sharpton can. I used to try and convince them of how ridiculous this way of thinking is but now I just nod my head and say the world is a very cruel place for us white guys.

 

[joober jones]

He's already had a 2nd chance, 3rd chance, 4th chance etc. He's about as sorry for being a racist as we are for being UConn fans.