- AP Photo/Danny Moloshok
- Donald Sterling
The saga of Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is like a dog run for our pent-up feelings about racial justice. Whatever strong convictions in that area we might wish we had more occasion to exercise—well, we can turn them loose on Sterling and let them frolic.
Whoever these people around him might be, they represent to him the only world that matters. As old men are known to do, he tries to lecture her on the unchangeable ways of this world. She, being young, isn’t having it.
Her: People call you and say that I have black people on my Instagram? And it bothers you.
Him: Yeah it bothers me a lot that you broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?
Her: You also associate with black people.
Him: (voice rising): I’m not you and you’re not me. You’re supposed to be a delicate white or delicate Latina girl.
Her: I’m a mixed girl.
Him: Well . . .
Her: And you’re in love with me. And I’m black and Mexican. Whether you like it or not. Whether the world accepts it or not. And you’re asking me to remove something that’s part of me and in my blood stream. Because the world thinks different of me and you’re afraid of what they’re going to think—because of your upbringing? You want me to have hate towards black people?
Him: I don’t want you to have hate. That’s what people do—they turn things around. I want you to love them—privately. In your whole life, every day you can be with them. Every single day of your life.
Her: But not in public?
Him: But why publicize it on the Instagram and why bring it to my games?
“And don’t bring him to my games? OK?”
