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The Official Student Paper of Riverside Poly High School

Twenty-First Century Sensitivity

May 20, 2014

BASKETBALL: Clippers owner Donald Sterling made nationwide headline news with the racist comments he made to his girlfriend.

By Jared Kanouse, Staff Writer

When TMZ released a tape containing a “racist” rant by who they believed to be Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, there was no way to foresee what was to follow. A lifetime ban and $2.5 million dollar fine later, they may still not understand the scope of what they uncovered. However, were these comments truly racist? And did Sterling deserve to be handled the way he was by the NBA?

While some of Sterling’s comments may be prejudiced, the majority of his statements were taken out of context. One of the most commonly accepted conclusions of the recording is Sterling stating he doesn’t want black people at the Clippers’ games. When looked at in context, Sterling never actually said that and common sense would tell you that he hopes for the exact opposite. Why would Sterling not want any group at his games when the income from their ticket sales goes almost directly to his pockets? Sterling was actually telling his “employee” (or girlfriend, based off of your own interpretation) V. Stiviano not to bring the men she is involved with to “his games.” The fact the he specifies these men as black doesn’t make him a racist or a bigot, but simply observant. While other statements on the recording appear to be egregious, it is obvious that the taping were cut on multiple occasions either by the media or Stiviano. It is also apparent that Sterling was “caught with his pants down.” Stiviano got him fired up on a subject and had it recorded, later going to him in an attempt to blackmail him, undoubtedly. The reliability of the entire recording must be questioned.

The NBA’s punishment for Sterling’s statements was much too harsh compared to the scope of the occurrence. While $2.5 million dollars may not be a fortune to Sterling,

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it sets a precedent that cannot be followed in a league where use of the “n” word by players is commonplace. While an owner is banned for life for making a few prejudiced statements about black people, players are still accepted after using a word entirely rooted in racism and hate. The hypocrisy is overwhelming.

Our society has become too sensitive. The pressure to be politically correct all the time is present, but only for certain groups of people. Other groups of people seem to be exempt from such expectations. In the words of the great Morgan Freeman, the only way to get rid of racism is to stop talking about it. If we continue to nitpick members of society for how they speak, it only highlights the issues. Instead, let it fade into the background until it fades away completely.

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