U.S. President Barack Obama has taken time out of his Asia tour to slam, Donald Sterling, the racist owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, for demanding his half black, half Latino girlfriend not bring black people to his games. Sterling took particular issue with Stiviano posting a normal photo on her Instagram page, taken with NBA legend and businessman, Magic Johnson.
Vanessa Stiviano (right), Magic Johnson (center) and
Stiviano's sister (left)
The revelations came via an illegally recorded tape between
Sterling and girlfriend Vanessa Stiviano, which was unlawfully
obtained and aired by website/TV show TMZ. A civilian is not allowed to record
telephone conversations in America unless one is being extorted,
blackmailed or in fear for one’s life via threats.
A photo of Los Angeles Dodger Matt Kemp and Vanessa Stiviano
was also posted to her Instagram page
Sterling’s conduct has caused outrage among millions, as his
comments are racist and the NBA is a predominantly black sports league.
80 percent of the Clippers are black as well. The whole team has
publicly protested Sterling's comments, by wearing their shirts
inside out to conceal the franchise's logo at their most
recent game.
President Obama stated regarding Sterling’s comments, “Ignorant
folks want to advertise their ignorance you don't really have to do
anything, you just have to let them talk. I have confidence the NBA
commissioner, Adam Silver, a good man, will address this…” Sterling
is free to dislike black people. However, when you start ordering
people to discriminate against other races and in reference to a
public sports team, that enters dangerous, illegal territory.
