"Sterling may have been a joke, but nothing about this is funny"

[G_j]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jones%2F060810

<snip>

Sterling may have been a joke, but nothing about this is funny. In fact, it's frightening and disturbing that classic racism like this might still be in play.

What's even more disturbing? Sterling was sued for housing discrimination by 19 plaintiffs in 2003, according to The Associated Press. In this case, Sterling was accused of trying to drive blacks and Latinos out of buildings he owned in Koreatown. In November, Sterling was ordered to pay a massive settlement in that case. Terms were not disclosed, but the presiding judge said this was "one of the largest" settlements ever in this sort of matter. The tip of the iceberg: Sterling had to play $5 million just for the plaintiffs' attorney fees.

And the coup de grace? Neither that case, nor the more recent one, has qualified as big news.

The tragedy of Maurice Clarett is big news. So are the legal adventures of the Cincinnati Bengals, Rhett Bomar's inability to recognize that not all money is good money, Floyd Landis' daily excuse, and teenager Michelle Wie's being too nervous to tell a grown man she would no longer pay him to carry her stuff around a golf course.

But Donald Sterling's refusing to offer housing to blacks and Latinos? Must not have that sizzle.

On the section of the Los Angeles Times Web site dedicated to the Clippers, the lawsuit against Sterling can be found only on the AP news wire. On ESPN.com, it takes a few clicks to find the story.

And people think issues about race are lightning rods? Not quite.

<snip>

[chillfactor]

1. but....but....but...

Justice Roberts said there is no racism in this country any longer...one has to wonder what fantasy world Roberts lives in...it certainly in not in the real world....

[Lint Head]

2. It's endemic in the upper crust of our society. It's called "old money".

Of course there are wealthy and powerful people who are progressive and accepting of all cultures and races. But it seems the majority are bigoted and racist and can easily hide it and keep it to themselves within the small groups and families they associate with. Myself. As a person who has to negotiate through that society, when looking for financing or help with my next creative project, it's a bigoted mind field.
The tip of the iceberg shows through when rats like Don Sterling accidentally stick their necks out of the money hole. Then others around him who agree with him have to distance themselves or run the risk of losing their wealth and power. Big money can hide big societal tumors. And green is the color that can make anything invisible in more ways than one.

[aggiesal]

3. If Marge Schott, former owner of the Cincinnatti Reds ...

was forced out of baseball for her nazi comments,
Donald Sterling deserves nothing less for his racist comments from the NBA.

Players should boycott the Clippers until this happens.