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on April 26, 2014 in Character

Earlier today a phone transcript of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s incomprehensible, incoherent, shameful, offensive and overtly racist comments concerning African-Americans to his girlfriend V. Stiviano became public.  You can listen to the full TMZ sountrack by clicking here.

Some of his rant included, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” says the man believed to be Sterling. He goes on, “You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.”

What an embarrassment to any member of the human race.

Let’s be clear, the audio is so disturbing no single article, blog or audio clip could fully capture all we feel or address the multitude of issues going on with Sterling and what should be done from an accountability standpoint.  Therefore, if authenticated, what should the NBA and new commissioner Adam Silver do?

I have five suggestions:

  1. My recommendation would be to fine Sterling $10 million (Kobe Bryant was fined $100K for dropping the f-bomb) with the money going to fund collegiate scholarships to under-privileged African-American students in the Los Angeles area.
  2. He should receive a lifetime ban and removed from daily operations of the team immediately.  Sterling must be held accountable.
  3. Sensitivity training administered by well-known sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards and forced community service should implemented.  Dr. Edwards’ comments during the NFL’s addressing of offensive racial slurs were the most insightful I heard during the discussion.
  4. Mandatory spiritual counseling by Bishop Kenneth Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church, which meets in the old L.A. Forum, should be implemented.  There are deep spiritual issues in Sterling’s heart which can only be fixed by a personal relationship with Jesus.  The intersection of Bishop Ulmer in this man’s life may be his only hope for getting a new heart.
  5. Finally, he should be pressured by his fellow owners to sell the team.  Sell to whom?  I would recommend a sale to Magic Johnson, who was specifically mentioned during Sterling’s disturbing rhetoric, who along with a group of investors would have the financial capacity to make the purchase.

Commissioner Silver will be hosting a press conference this evening at 8:30 PM EST.  We will find out his course of action.

I’ll be praying for the Clippers’ players and their families.  I cannot imagine working for a man like Sterling.  I’ll also be praying for Sterling.  We were reminded one week ago, Easter, that no one is beyond the cross and the love of Jesus.  Jesus, please intersect this man’s life and give him a heart of flesh instead of the heart of stone he currently has.

To show you the severity of the pain inflicted by Sterling’s alleged comments watch the video from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith along with Twitter comments from many including Magic Johnson himself:

http://youtu.be/kEqnkhwydgI

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