Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers has been banned for life by new NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The severe punishment was in response to the racist comments Sterling made to his mistress in a recorded conversation obtained by TMZ.com. Of course Commissioner Silver will do whatever he needs to in order to get Sterling to sell the Clippers franchise. In addition to the lifetime ban, Sterling was also fined $2.5 million by the league. (The fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the Players Association.) Sterling was born with the last name Tokowitz, which he changed in the early 1960s. His parents were Jewish immigrants in Chicago who had fled Eastern Europe.
I've been following this story since the release of the audiotape -- both as a fan of NBA basketball and as a Jewish leader. What I've been hearing from Jewish people are two different reactions. One is that we shouldn't focus on the fact that Donald Sterling is Jewish. The second reaction is that the Jewish community should issue a statement against racism of any kind and denouncing Sterling's comments.
I happen to disagree with the first reaction. It most certainly does matter that Sterling is Jewish. You see, we Jewish people believe that we are commanded to be a "Light unto the nations." And just this past Shabbat we read in the Torah portion called Kedoshim that we are a holy nation. That doesn't mean we see ourselves as somehow superior that other people, but rather that we have a responsibility to always strive to be ethical and set a good example. Sterling clearly failed in that regard. To make matters even worse, news came out yesterday that Sterling used Israel as justification for his racist comments. He told his mistress that in Israel "the blacks are just treated like dogs." So, Sterling isn't just giving American Jews a bad name, but also unfairly tarnishing Israel's reputation on race relations.
On Sunday night my wife and I watched the film "The Butler" starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. The film really made me question how such overt racism could have occurred in our nation only fifty years ago. But then I thought about Donald Sterling and I was reminded that ignorant hatred is alive and well. Regardless of how big the NBA players' salaries are, we must all question the relationship that Sterling believes he has to the players on his team. No matter how well compensated they are, does Sterling feel like he is the owner and they are simply dribbling, passing and shooting a ball to make him rich instead of picking his cotton?
This was Commissioner Adam Silver's first big test since taking over the reins of the NBA from David Stern and I believe he handled it very well. The lifetime ban was the right decision and hopefully this will be the last we have to hear about Donald Sterling and his racist views.
Read an insightful blog post about Donald Sterling's punishment by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver by my PopJewish.com co-founder Rabbi Joshua Hess
I happen to disagree with the first reaction. It most certainly does matter that Sterling is Jewish. You see, we Jewish people believe that we are commanded to be a "Light unto the nations." And just this past Shabbat we read in the Torah portion called Kedoshim that we are a holy nation. That doesn't mean we see ourselves as somehow superior that other people, but rather that we have a responsibility to always strive to be ethical and set a good example. Sterling clearly failed in that regard. To make matters even worse, news came out yesterday that Sterling used Israel as justification for his racist comments. He told his mistress that in Israel "the blacks are just treated like dogs." So, Sterling isn't just giving American Jews a bad name, but also unfairly tarnishing Israel's reputation on race relations.
On Sunday night my wife and I watched the film "The Butler" starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. The film really made me question how such overt racism could have occurred in our nation only fifty years ago. But then I thought about Donald Sterling and I was reminded that ignorant hatred is alive and well. Regardless of how big the NBA players' salaries are, we must all question the relationship that Sterling believes he has to the players on his team. No matter how well compensated they are, does Sterling feel like he is the owner and they are simply dribbling, passing and shooting a ball to make him rich instead of picking his cotton?
This was Commissioner Adam Silver's first big test since taking over the reins of the NBA from David Stern and I believe he handled it very well. The lifetime ban was the right decision and hopefully this will be the last we have to hear about Donald Sterling and his racist views.
Read an insightful blog post about Donald Sterling's punishment by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver by my PopJewish.com co-founder Rabbi Joshua Hess
3 comments:
You said
"we Jewish people believe that we are commanded to be a "Light unto the nations." And just this past Shabbat we read in the Torah portion called Kedoshim that we are a holy nation. That doesn't mean we see ourselves as somehow superior that other people, but rather that we have a responsibility to always strive to be ethical and set a good example"
So, are you implying that non-Jews do not have a responsibility to strive to be ethical?
I must get off my chest. What has the world come to when a man can NOT voice his opinion, In his 80's in the era of the N Word, in the era of HIGH discrimination. Do I think he is racist. About as racist as any white 80 year old. I am a white jewish woman with an adopted black son. Do I want my daughter to marry out of our race or religion. I would LOVE nothing more than to write an article for you. Please! I am bursting. Where are we as the Better and bringing all together to understand instead of BANNING a human being from the world in which he lives in. We are in trouble here the likes never to be known. The media poisonous trash. I am sure that Donald LOVES his players and does not see color. Not for the $$$ but for the relationships...this has been taken too far and should be stopped NOW. Does a Christian want a Jew as a son in law , does a Jew want a Christian. He is allowed to have his opinion and is allowed to FEEL! Private conversation. Big Players, LeBron, Wayde, Shaq all get together and have a sit down with Sterling and get a better understanding of him..>That is how we heal There are more like him than few. Not a Hater. We don't have to conform to accept out of our inner circle, the same as all Black People voted for Obama, not because he was Black, but because they had a CONNECTION and the same color brought that to light. That is all it is. not a black and white thing. A connection. Every one better stop taking offense. It is like lynching a person. Sterling should be brought back and discussed for the world so we all UNDERSTAND! please...get this out
I vote Donald Sterling back in and forgiveness and understanding is the KEY ...Not lynching a human being. We are no better than the very Media that posts and exposes and instigates. I remember the day this came on the news, the very first comment was that he was Jewish. What does that matter> What did he say so terrible. I do not see color. I can have a view !
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