By now, Donald Sterling’s picture can be found as two
references in the dictionary; racist and fool. Last week, Sterling’s mea culpa
failed its mission. His interview on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 left no doubt he
was indeed as racists as the lawsuits said he was from years ago. He confirmed
more than the public ever imagined. He solidified his entry into the Fools' Hall
of Fame.
Sterling has made millions. If he sell the Clippers, he will make
nearly a billion. If he does not sell the Clippers, he will still make nearly a
billion. But his despicable words in the taped conversation with
V. Stiviano actually paled in comparison to what was said on camera. Surely, he
was prepped in some way as to what would be asked of him. But instead of
rehashing his failed industry standard “I am sorry you found out I was racist misspeak”,
let us looked at five lessons we can learned from the Donald Sterling’s debacle:
5. Character Should Count
Donald Sterling was taped by his girlfriend. Sterling is
married. Sterling had no shame showing the world he had a girlfriend. He didnot sneak around; he openly dated her. I know in the age of I am
engaged but I am not yet divorced world, there are many who believe in
marriage. If Sterling walks around with his girlfriend on his arms at games while
still married to his wife who he also takes to the Clipper games, one can only
imagine how well he would honor a contractual agreement with a business client.
Or the NBA. Or the community. Even if one can overlook his personal life, the
list of lawsuits that Sterling has won and
lost over the years reveals he does not care about how business is conducted,
just so long as he is making money.
4. Ignorance is Bliss and Jealously is Obvious
Donald Sterling’s spouted pure ignorance about Magic Johnson’s
HIV status. Sterling’s judgment of Magic being with ‘women in every city with AIDS”
is said as if his affair with V. Stiviano was blessed by the Pope. Sterling’s
disapproval of Magic’s conduct has got to be one of the best examples of pot
meet kettle to date. But not only was Sterling ignorant about Magic but asking
Anderson Cooper about dating girls sealed the deal that he must live in a gigantic
bubble. Cooper is gay…and proud. If you
recall, Sterling requested Anderson Cooper to interview him. Besides Donald Sterling being ignorant of
other people lives and lifestyles, his jealously of Magic Johnson was front and
center. The question, “Who is Magic Johnson?” was nothing but a veiled, I do not know why everyone loves Magic so much
and not me. It is a classic case of a student of the game is now a teacher
and can actually can enter the teachers’ lounge without permission. When one
look at the culture of LA, hanging out with Magic Johnson sounds far more
exciting than hanging out with old crusty Sterling. But let us dig even deeper. Sterling’s teeth
were kicked out when he needed to play “I am a good white man” race card and
trout out a “my best friend is Black” to stand next to him during interviews
and Magic refused to be that best Black friend. That knife seem to cut Sterling
more than the betrayal of his girlfriend. Who says no to Donald Sterling? Sterling
retaliated by reminding the public about Magic’s HIV. Good for magic being willing to set the record straight.
3. You Are Known By the Company You Keep
In the number of interviews that followed Donald Sterling's disastrous
foot in mouth sit down, the one that received much scrutiny was the escort
service owner turned rapper named Maseratiet on CNN. Maseratiet shared with millions that he and
Donald Sterling had been friends for years. And it was Maseratiet who actually introduced
Sterling to V. Stiviano. Whenever a pimp, I mean an escort service owner introduces
a man to a woman; there is rarely anything wholesome about that relationship. Pay
to play get much emphasis here. The fact that Maseratiet was someone that Sterling
considered a good friend who he called to share his version of truth is more
than troubling. What type of person has an escort service provider as a confidante?
Where was his lawyer or PR people? Surely, he had someone on his payroll to
talk this through instead of a pimp. According to Maseratiet, he was the seller
of the tapes not his friend, V. Stiviano. Now, a blind man can see Maseratiet
and V. Stiviano conspiring to set up Sterling and they are on their way to
making millions. There are hours of tapes and they have only sold the first few
hours. Someone who sells women for money
will sell his friend's taped secrets for money. Stay tune, more to come.
2. White Privilege is Golden
In his CNN interview, Donald Sterling showed us that white privilege
lives and breathes. And it is lined with gold. Sterling is one of the wealthiest
men in the country and he says on national TV what he really thinks without any
true consequences. Donald Sterling did not have to mount a legislative agenda
to take away voting rights, he did not have to back a campaign to get his will
done, nor did he have to form a PAC that is meant to raise billions to elect
puppets who will make less $200,000 a year to send to Washington to look after
his interests. No, Donald Sterling only has to own an NBA Team with mostly
Black players, sell them homes from his real estate company, let them play a few rounds of golf with him, and have them
deposit their money (that he negotiated for them) in the bank where he sits on
the board. With white privilege, he can proudly tell you “I is what I is” and
fuel the passion of those who are longing to bring back the Old South in every
way. Donald Sterling makes the Koch Brothers seem like toddlers crying in their
crib.
1 1. The Truth Can Set You Free
Donald Sterling’s words about
Magic Johnson seem to catch all the heat, but very few are addressing his
statements about the Black Community. Donald Sterling does not believe the
Black Community takes care of its own. He did not pull that out of the air. He
has been around more Black people than most and is sharing his observations
whether Black folks want to accept it or not. The fact that someone as lewd and
racist as Donald Sterling has been given an NAACP Image Award is not lost on
anyone. Especially, those who rather send a little cash than make significant
changes in how business is done in the community of color. Sterling knew if he bought
enough tables at events and gave away enough ‘free’ tickets, those actions
would buy him clout in a community that has become more event centric than
solution oriented. More galas, balls, and luncheons are held by civic groups, fraternities
and sororities, and social organizations in the Black community than any other
community. Yet, the Black community continues to have higher disparities in healthcare,
consume more than is produced economically, and is lagging behind in education than
any other group. Sterling was not held
accountable by the NBA but nor was he held accountable by the Black community.
