Two Racists Who Need To Stop Talking

What do a crusty old cattle rancher and a high profile NBA coach have in common? They both hate black people. Okay, the redneck rancher is maybe not a big surprise but an NBA coach is probably the most ironic story I've heard in a minute. Both of these individuals have reopened the delicate topic of racism within our society, which is a good thing because it’s clearly an issue that stands today.

Cliven Bundy

I want to start off with Cliven Bundy because his story is so ridiculous it made me laugh. This Nevada renegade got into trouble when he graced us with his brilliant idea to “save” black people:

“I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro.”

“In front of that government house the door was usually open and the older people and the kids – and there is always at least a half a dozen people sitting on the porch – they didn’t have nothing to do. They didn’t have nothing for their kids to do. They didn’t have nothing for their young girls to do.”

“Because they were basically on government subsidy, so now what do they do? They abort their young children, they put their young men in jail, because they never learned how to pick cotton. And I’ve often wondered, are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy? They didn’t get no more freedom. They got less freedom.”

Gee whiz, tell us how you really feel Mr.Bundy.  What you’re implying is African Americans who are unemployed and thrive off subsidized living should revert back to picking cotton because it gives them something to do? Sure, slavery was a bummer but at least they were productive!

Obviously this man is a lunatic but did you know he’s also a hypocrite? Recently Cliven Bundy had a disagreement with the government over unpaid grazing fees for his cattle. This dispute has been going on for over 20 years and his refusal to pay resulted in an armed standoff against law enforcement.

Oh, so you’re cattle can live off government land but African Americans shouldn’t? The difference is some lower income families rely on subsidized living to survive, where as you just don’t want to pay the bill.

Republicans often revered this moron as a gleaming patriot who fought for what he believed in. They used him as a figure to connect with the right wing but quickly went running for the hills when he got a little too comfortable speaking publicly. I understand we all have the right for freedom of speech but that also means I have the right to call this man a withered, uneducated pylon.

Donald Sterling

Owner of the L.A. Clippers has had a long history of having his foot in his mouth. Just last week he was recorded having a conversation with his wife and had some sound advice for posting Instagrams of her hanging out with Magic Johnson: 

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?”

“You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in; you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is to not promote it on that….and not to bring them to my games.”

“Don’t put him [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”

Well that was a fun career while it lasted. It’s safe to say he’s now the most hated man in America. Even his own team showed up to a game against Golden State with their jerseys inside out and wearing matching black armbands to protest his disgusting remarks.

If you don’t want black people attend your basketball games, then don’t own a basketball team. Some people feel his words were taken out of context and that the fact he’s dating a half black/half Hispanic woman gives him a pass. It doesn't.

This wasn't his first case of bigotry either. This is just the first time he will truly answer for his stupidity. Over the years he has allegedly been quoted saying the following:

“I wanna know why you think you can coach these niggers.” (Allegedly said to potential coach Rollie Massimino, 1983)

“I don’t like Mexican men because they smoke, drink and just hang around the house” (On signing Danny Manning, 1988)

“That’s because of all the blacks in this building, they smell, they’re not clean.” (Testimony from a former property supervisor, 2002)

I’m not exactly sure how he got away with allegedly saying this in the past but it looks like his coaching days are numbered. A huge list of sponsors have already disbanded from the Clippers in an attempt to save face. Mercades, State Farm, Red Bull and Kia are just a few that want off this sinking ship. 

I try my best to put ignorance on blast whenever I get the chance because something like racism simply shouldn't exist today. Familiarizing yourself with other cultures is the best way to combat this stupidity. I understand that you don't have to like your neighbors for your own personal reasons but just remember, if you remove the pigment of ones skin you are the exact same build as everyone else on this planet.