“We are one.” That is the hashtag many NBA players used on social media to show their solidarity in response to the racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Don Sterling in reference to African-Americans.
We are one. It is certainly a powerful statement and one that shows unity, but I also consider those three words a bit aspirational. “We are one.” It’s a good place to be, but in my opinion, we aren’t there quite yet. However, we are on the road that leads there, so I’ve added my own twist to the phrase: We are “becoming” one.
We are becoming a nation that is beginning to look beyond the color of one’s skin; but obviously with the continuous instances of racial profiling, unfair sentencing, and even disproportionate treatment in the workforce; we are not there yet. We are becoming a nation that is less tolerant to discriminatory practices and unfavorable treatment, but we are not there yet because data continue to show that minorities are generally charged higher interest rates than their white counterparts with a similar credit history. We are becoming a nation that considers women to be equal to men in the workplace, but we aren’t there yet because women still earn only 77 cents for every dollar males in the same role make. We are becoming a nation that is sympathetic to the plight of poor people, yet we are not nearly to the point that we should be in regards to equal access to quality schools and grocery stores in impoverished neighborhoods or even the elimination of predatory companies such as payday lending entities and check-cashing establishments that charge obscene amounts of interest to the working poor.
So I tip my hat to the NBA players for their show of solidarity, but in regards to society in general, we are not one…yet. However, the more people think of one another as the same, the better off we will be. We will become more compassionate and fair and we will probably solve a lot of the world’s problems a heck of a lot sooner.
In an ironic twist, Sterling’s derogatory perspective on Blacks is helping to make this country a better place because his actions have not only fostered dialogue about an issue that has been in existence for hundreds of years; but his remarks have also resulted in swift and significant action by the NBA. Such measures set a standard and a very clear message: racism in professional basketball will not be tolerated.
Sterling isn’t the first owner of a professional sports team to have a discriminatory perspective or make racists comments, however, he is the first to receive such a harsh and permanent punishment. Banned for life. The penalty speaks volumes and it proves that expectations of what is acceptable are changing. We (society in general) are becoming offended by things that were once considered non-offensive. That shows progression and that gives me hope that this country is moving in the right direction toward truly respecting all people.
Kudos to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the countless celebrities and sponsors who were courageous enough to take a stance on the issue even before the commission made its decision public.
I am also proud of the LA Clippers for their silent protest. I recently had a conversation with someone who said young people don’t demonstrate anymore. It was good to see the Clippers “demonstrate” in the manner in which they did, despite the subtly of the effort.
Since this editorial is centered around an instance that occurred in the sports industry, it is also a fitting time for me to weigh in on the on-going debate of whether or not to pay college athletes. Initially I was strongly opposed to such a measure, but after talking to a couple of athletic directors and a true sports enthusiast, my position has changed.
Universities make millions of dollars a year and coaches receive huge salaries; all off the sweat of their players – particularly football and basketball players. Since everyone else associated with university sports are reaping the financial benefits of athletic programs, players should also be compensated in some capacity. I also believe the pay scale should be based on the percentage of money a particular sport generates. For instance, if a university receives the bulk of its money from the football program and the least amount from volleyball, the football players should earn a high percentage and the volleyball players should earn the least.
Many who don’t agree with paying college athletes argue that students may begin pursing college sports for the wrong reason. I asked one critic, what the difference was between a college student choosing to participate in a particular sport based off compensation and an adult professional taking the same stance relative to their career path.
That critic couldn’t give me a substantive response.
#EnoughSaid #MyPointWasProven.
