B.O.L.D member Joshua Rivers has a change of heart on the Donald Sterling fiasco, calls for extermination!
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I’ve had a change of heart regarding the Donald Sterling fiasco. In the emotions of a heated situation, I immediately looked for a means to alleviate what I felt.
My first response was to criticize the media: they didn’t cover it fast enough! Once they covered it: the NBA didn’t handle the situation to my liking; although I must admit Commissioner Adam Silver did a phenomenal job of acting expediently, thus my anger dissipated. However, despite my initial criticism and my eventual shift in perspective, I still unequivocally believe racism has no place in the NBA – or the world –and a man who admittedly says he doesn’t want to be associated with black people, yet pays their salaries, is a conflict of interest – in my opinion.
But… is this really about WHO Donald Sterling is or WHAT he has done? In trying to oust Sterling, the NBA states that the embattled billionaire’s comments caused damage to the reputation of the NBA and its teams. The charges also state that the comments he made impairs the relationship with the NBA’s fans and merchandising partners. In other words, had the reputation not been damaged, nor the funding of the NBA interrupted, this wouldn’t have been an issue… right?
To dive deeper, it doesn’t seem the NBA has a legal leg to stand on; what they are trying to prove is simply subjective and open to interpretation. Sure, one can point to the loss of a few sponsors, but does that “impair” the relationship of the NBA with its fans? How do you prove that in a court of law? My point is: many of us have reacted emotionally and not theoretically in this whole situation; we have demanded swift justice without pondering precise and meaningful action.
Based on prior incidents, most people who either follow sports or popular culture knew Donald Sterling’s values. What he did was no surprise to anyone, or at least it shouldn’t have been. I propose to you maybe Sterling isn’t the problem; rather it’s the society we live in, which manipulates and misconstrues dialogues about race relations, homosexuality, and God; transforming the carrier of that conversation into a racist, homophobe, or heathen.
For example, nearly a week ago Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, during an interview with Inc, spoke openly about society, prejudices and his own racial hang-ups. In comparing a black kid in a hoodie to a white man with a shaved head and tattoos all over his face, Cuban said in both instances he’d go the other way.
What I find interesting is that many of Mark Cuban’s basketball players wear hoodies every day during the season. Black men in hoodies are as common as the sun rising; you’ll see them in suburbs, inner-cities, and even in arenas. However, you don’t see many bald white men with shaved heads and tattoo all over their face; you have to be in a particular neighborhood for that. I think Cuban’s remarks were just as bad as Sterling’s, the only difference was Cuban KNEW this would go around the world.
Instead of demanding swift and unforgiving action on those that actually show us who they are, we need to be able to facilitate a healthy discussion regarding their feelings and perspectives. While I’m not fond for Sterling, we must consider his upbringing.
Sterling was born in the 1930’s, an era where it was not only legal, but considered humorous to stereotype and degrade black people. They were troubled times where segregation and racial inequality was society’s norm. Sterling has been indoctrinated with more than 70 years of experiential race theology; do we REALLY think that ousting him over a comment made in the vicinity of his home will solve anything? It won’t… Sterling is nothing but the unlucky roach that didn’t move fast enough when we turned on the lights. And even if we smash him, there are still plenty that will get away.
A culture needs to be developed where we don’t just kill the roach; we investigate the infestation. And the only way that’ll happen is by facilitating an environment where the roaches – and I don’t mean roaches in a negative manner – feel comfortable to come out of hiding.
Effective exterminators do more than place traps down and wish you luck. They survey the inside and outside of a house; they identify the types of pests you may have and then they set out a plan to not only control the problem, but prevent future pest problems. No less should be expected of us a society. In the long run it’s more efficent – and less expensive – to eradicate an infestation than it is to chase and trap the single rodent.
We cannot force acceptance on people without understanding them, and America is notorious for this…. when will we learn freedom isn’t free when it’s forced.
Thanks for reading!
B.O.L.D member Joshua Rivers is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and mentor. Josh’s second book, Rumble Young Man Rumble, will be available June 1st on iBooks, BarnesandNobles.com, and Lulu.com
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Photo: kc7fys/Flickr