IN DEFENSE OF DONALD STERLING

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from basketball for life after a recorded private conversation was made public.  In this conversation Sterling criticized a friend for associating with "black people."  Sterling was also fined $2.5 million dollars.  The National Basketball Assocaition Commissioner Adam Sliver said,"Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with The Clippers organization or the NBA. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, he may not be present at any Clippers facility and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team.

"He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings or participating in any other league activity. I am also fining Mr. Sterling the maximum amount under the NBA constitution."

So, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is not allowing Donald Sterling to associate with it because Sterling did not want his friend associating with "black people."  In other words, the NBA is showing intolerance to Sterling's intolerance.  This is supposed to stop intolerance.  

Was Donald Sterling causing violence, or advocating genocide?   No.  He was merely expressing his opinion privately.  Unfortunately, the NBA did not agree with his opinion, and got as angry as a member of the Ku Klux Klan discovering chocolate chips in vanilla ice cream.

Donald Sterling has a right to his opinion.  The reaction to it was much ado about nothing.  The NBA could have simply released a statement saying that Sterling's opinions do not reflect those of the NBA.  No further action is necessary.

By the way, black people now know why Donald Sterling has never sent them any invitations.

Source: The Telegraph