It seems that Donald Sterling thinks that his girlfriend looks bad posing with black people.
Actually, Donald, what really makes her look bad is sleeping with you.
Or, I mean, business associating with you (wink, wink).
I think it’s pretty clear that Donald Sterling is a problem that needs to be resolved. Hopefully, he goes far away and we don’t have to hear about him again.
So, yes, he’s a problem, but, unfortunately, he’s not the problem.
If you’ve listened to the audio recording, you realize that this represents a far larger issue than just one Donald Sterling.
“I’m living in a culture, and I have to live within the culture. So that’s the way it is. That’s all, I got it, I got the whole message.”
And as a minority, I get the message, too, Donald. I got it a long time ago, and people like you only reinforce it.
I don’t have the white privilege of ignoring this culture you speak of. Or worse, pretending it doesn’t even exist.
Because it does.
It really and truly does.
I know it. Every minority knows it.
So you didn’t really shock us with that one. I think every one of us likes to close our eyes to it as best we can, but every once in a while, it rises to the surface and stares us down.
Your audio recording is one of these moments.
These moments that feel like a sucker punch you didn’t see coming, even though you realize you should have if you’d just kept your eyes open.
Only this time, I hope that it is the catalyst for change.
I hope that the world wakes up and finally confronts the truth behind your words.
That racism exists.
That sometimes acceptance is nothing more than a farce.
A politically acceptable bandage on an infected open sore.
That the truth behind the façade is what truly defines the culture.
A culture that still divides and defines people by race.
That minorities still have to fight to have a seat at the table.
A table that has a hierarchy marked by skin colour, where white is the golden standard.
That you’re okay with us working for you, but not working with you.
Just because you play for us doesn’t mean you can play with us.
It doesn’t matter if you’re accomplished like Magic Johnson or you’re the nanny who raises our children or you’re the surgeon who helps to heal us.
You’re the other.
The other is lesser.
And the other isn’t good enough.
Only, this time, Donald, maybe it will be good enough. Good enough to make change happen. Real change with real results.
The thing is, our eyes were forced open to this issue with your diatribe. Your ugly tirade that woke us up to the not-so-hidden truth.
So, let’s hope that we do something about it.
Talk about it. Rage against it. Change it.
Let’s not just brush this aside and forget about it.
Keep our eyes open to the reality of the world.
Because closing them isn’t getting us anywhere anymore.
And next time someone talks to you about minorities, Donald, you won’t be able to respond with a flippant,
“Why are you forcing this down my throat? I’m finished talking to you.”
Because we’re not finished talking to you yet.
We’re just getting started.
Instead of making Americans proud, this Super Bowl commercial brought out the racist in many who weren't afraid to voice their opinions on social media.
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