They say that crime doesn’t pay and Donald Steward learned that racism in the NBA doesn’t pay either. Today NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Steward $2.5 million plus banned him from the NBA for life for his racist rants on tape about blacks. He will now have a lifetime, of what’s left of his, to ponder what went wrong. Just when I think we as a country are going backwards in terms of racism, the rare moment occurs when we get it right. And today Commissioner Silver got it right by making the courageous move to ban Stewart for life. None of the league owners openly supported Stewart. And everyone from President Obama to Snoop Dog had something to say about the racist remarks made on April 9. The lessons to be learned from NBA Commissioner is that swift, harsh and costly sanctions matter when it comes to racism. Often in America, we say nothing about racist remarks or talk quietly in our own perspective corners. Stewart’s remarks were so outright outlandish that they left … [Read more...] about Clippers Owner Donald Stewart and Lessons Learned
Archives for April 2014
5 Reasons We are Not Post Racial
Racism is a part of the legacy and history of the U.S. which continues today. For those persons who think that we are post racial, here are 5 reasons that show racism is prospering well in the U.S. The top three are from this week in the news with the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action ban in Michigan, comments by Cliven Bundy on blacks being better off in slavery to Clipper’s owner Donald Sterling’s desire to forbid African Americans at Los Angeles Clipper games. Southern whites can no longer attack blacks with dogs as they did during the Civil Rights era. But they can send a black man to jail for a felony conviction for harming dogs while a 16 year old white teenager, Ethan Couch, is allowed to avoid jail after his defense of “affluenza” for killing 4 people while drunk driving. His blood alcohol level was 3 times the legal limit. A psychologist testified earlier this year that Couch’s wealthy upbringing caused him to not be able to realize the consequences of … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons We are Not Post Racial
Supreme Court Guts Affirmative Action in Michigan Colleges
The Supreme Court by a vote of 6-2 decided to uphold Michigan’s ban on affirmative action in its admission policies in state universities and colleges which was passed by Michigan voters to amend the state constitution. The two dissenters were Justice Sotomayor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Usually swing voter Justice Kennedy sided with the majority this time. Justice Elena Kagan did not sit because of a conflict while the U.S. Solicitor General. The majority opinion stated the issue was whether voters had a right to nullify affirmative action in college admissions and side stepped the whole issue of affirmative action. The court gave voters the final say in making the decision. A lower court had ruled the opposite. It is disheartening to keep reading and hearing how all the gains accomplished in the courts and that includes the Supreme Court for minorities affected and still affected by racism and discrimination are being taken away by the present courts. From voting … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Guts Affirmative Action in Michigan Colleges
Chris Brown Trial Drama Continues
Chris Brown is never without drama. And so the drama continues in the Chris Brown assault trial saga. Chris Brown’s bodyguard’s trial ended on Friday. Early on Monday, April 21, 2014 D.C. Superior Court Judge Patricia Wynn found Brown’s bodyguard guilty of assaulting Parker Adams. The incident stemmed from a October 26, 2013 incident outside the W Hotel. The victim alleges Brown hit him as he tried to photo bomb a picture with two young women. Chris Brown denies hitting the victim. Chris Brown and his bodyguard have said on prior occasions the victim was trying to board Chris Brown’s bus when the bodyguard punched him to protect Chris Brown. A limo driver had a different version which Judge Wynn found credible. The limo driver testified in court that Brown hit the victim as he attempted to take the picture and then the bodyguard threw punches. Brown’s bodyguard intends to appeal his conviction which could take a year to decide. Now the legal maneuvering begins on how the Chris … [Read more...] about Chris Brown Trial Drama Continues
Are Oscar Pistorius and Chris Brown One and the Same?
The Oscar Pistorius trial is on hiatus in South Africa until May 5. Meanwhile the Chris Brown trial starts in a Washington, D.C. courtroom on April 21. Although both cases are miles apart, in reality, they may be closer than one might think, in terms of anger management and violence. Oscar Pistorius is on trial for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp who in texts professed her fear of him due to his anger and temper. And Brown is in DC and faces jail time on his 2009 probation case for assaulting then girlfriend Rihanna, if convicted in the D.C. assault case. These 20 something young men appear notorious now for their tempers. Chris Brown’s D.C. case stems from an incident on October 26, 2013 when he allegedly assaulted a man who photo bombed a photo that Brown was taking with two women. The 20 year old victim allegedly sustained a broken nose. In November, Brown was ordered to 90 days at a residential anger management facility stemming from his issues resulting from … [Read more...] about Are Oscar Pistorius and Chris Brown One and the Same?
Oscar Pistorius and His Domestic Violence Valentine’s Day Killing
If it were a movie, the killing of Reeva Steenkamp by Oscar Pistorius could be called the Valentine’s Day Domestic Violence Killing. The killing of Reeva Steenkamp by Oscar Pistorius appears to be a classic case of domestic violence. He stands trial on premeditated murder of her death. By Reeva’s own account in her text messages read into evidence by the prosecutor, their short 3 month relationship had been rocky with outbursts of jealousy and temper tantrums by Oscar. One text said she was scared of him. And her Valentine’s Day card professed her love for him. There was no similar card by him given to her. A love relationship wrought with feelings of fear of a lover coupled with a lover’s jealousy and anger is a recipe for domestic violence and disaster. The cycle is usually feelings of love, jealousy, anger, rage, abuse and then remorse with the cycle repeating again. For Reeva, there is no repeat. Her life ended on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013. For Oscar Pistorius, … [Read more...] about Oscar Pistorius and His Domestic Violence Valentine’s Day Killing