“Let him be, you do support our basic right to free speech, don’t you?”

And it is at this moment of the conversation with my friend, that I can’t help but find myself cringing. 

Coming from a school as diverse as Annandale, it’s hard to realize that  segregationist ideologies still have a place in society today. Nevertheless, when stories appear in the media, we are awoken from our pleasent utopia. 

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling brought the media ablaze when recorded exchanges surfaced with his alleged girlfriend Vanessa Stiviano. During the ten minute recording released by TMZ, Sterling disparages his girlfriend for taking a picture with basketball icon Magic Johnson. 

In one tirade he states, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” 

It’s no surprise that Sterling’s tirade is a testament to the reality that racism in the 21st century is very much alive. In retrospect, with the Civil Rights Movement less than 50 years to date, it is not a surprise that many still attain outdated and bigoted ideologies. It is a surprise however, that a public figure, a face to one of the nation’s (and the world’s) most progressive organizations is the source of such remarks. 

Yes, everyone has the right to free speech. But freedom of speech doesn’t grant a pass from the consequences; a note that all students should remember in their Government classes. Donald Sterling screamed fire in a crowded theater and – inevitably–chaos ensued.  

It’s absolutely outrageous that a man who owes a large part of his fortune to the success of African-American basketball players can be so openly racist. Especially, a man (born in 1937) who has witnessed firsthand the transgressions of race through the years and witnessed first hand the Civil Rights and progressive movements of the late 60s. 

When you are at the stature to own a basketball team, when you become a part of the faces of that comprise the NBA, when the general public knows your name, the things you say hold value. 

The NBA has every right to ban Sterling. They are a private corporation with rules and bylaws, and a multi-cultural commitment to their players and fans. 

The league has no room for sanctioning belligerent racists and superiority complexes from pre-dated plantation mentalities. 

Moreover, NBA commissioner David Silver’s ruling in banning Sterling for life is a step in the right direction, but hopefully also a catalyst to change the culture of ownership in the league, which lacks diversity in its bureaucracy–  this is not limited to simply the NBA (take a look at the NFL). He is the archetypal 21st century racist, reinforcing the institutionalized racism that is plaguing our generation. 

There’s no need to hold a pity party for Donald Sterling either. Worth an estimated $1.6 billion, Sterling’s $2.5 million fine by the commissioner is hardly a dent to his pocket.

Interestingly enough, in an interview with Barbra Walters Stiviano claimed that Sterling was not a racist. Yet, the circumstances have proven otherwise. Sterling has a documented history of blatantly bigoted behavior towards minorities. He was sued twice by the federal government for refusing to rent apartments to African Americans and Latinos. He was also sued by former Clippers executive Elgin Baylor for racial discrimination. Amidst all these convictions, Sterling emerged unscathed. 

The real question is, why did it take the NBA so long?