Published: May 3, 2014
Even in 2014, culture is still black vs. white
All week, I tried to stay away from the topic of Donald
Sterling’s racist remarks for this commentary. All week, I sought a different
topic.
However, I couldn’t stay away, especially in light of some
Boston Bruins fans’ remarks and photos after Thursday night’s NHL playoff game
against the Montreal Canadiens.
Sterling is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers — at least
for now — and made racial remarks to his girlfriend, who is part
African-American and part Latina, telling her it is unacceptable to bring black
friends to his games.
Those comments overwhelmed the sports world and other media.
His comments became more than just about basketball. They were another reminder
that bigotry still exists, well after the Civil War and the end of slavery and
segregation.
We were told by Martin Luther King Jr. that all should be
treated equal. Sadly, more than 50 years later, we’re not. The N-word is a tragic
part of this culture. I cringe every time I hear someone, black or white, say
it.
It is unnecessary. To me, someone who says it makes them
sound idiotic and undeserving of respect.
On Thursday night, Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban scored
the game-winning goal in double overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference
semifinals over the Boston Bruins. With today’s capabilities to get opinions
out faster than any of us had ever dreamed of, that goal was quickly placed
under a shadow because of Bruins fans’ actions.
According to CBC News in Canada, Twitter was quickly flooded
with racial comments about Sabban, a black hockey player.
Tweets include the N-word, (hashtag)whitesonly and
(hashtag)scumbag. One tweet also had a fan showing a noose.
According to Montreal media monitoring and analysis company
Influence Communications, the N-word and Subban's name were used in conjunction
on 17,000 tweets after the game.
So in less than one week, two sports’ playoff seasons have
been marred by racial remarks. We should be celebrating the athletic
accomplishments on the court or the ice, not by what’s going on off of them.
What was the golden rule we learned in elementary school?
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
We have forgotten all about that in our selfish ways of
life. And these kinds of things are taking away from the good things we have to
celebrate in our great country.
In the case with Subban, Bruins fans are hypocritical.
Subban’s brother, Malcolm, was drafted by the Bruins in 2012 and is in the
franchise’s farm system. Jarome Iginla, who is biracial, is a forward for the
Bruins.
When things like this take place, it’s almost embarrassing
to call yourself an American.
Our country was built on the foundation of being the land of
opportunity. Yet, we rarely see that come out. As a white man, I have never
been scrutinized for the color of my skin. At the same time, my parents raised
me to love and respect those around you, no matter what color they are. And
that’s why every time I hear of things like this taking place, it just irks me.
Say what you want about people expressing their First
Amendment right of free speech. There should be some place in everyone’s heart
that should tell them, these actions are unnecessary.
One thing I also heard this week was will we have been that
outraged if Sterling had said something discriminatory toward gays? Sadly, it
wouldn’t have been the same.
I know it’s impossible to create this perfect universe.
People are going to hate other people for a variety of reasons. Yet it is a
tragic story and one that won’t be going away. If you have hatred that’s your
choice. But at the very least let’s start respecting people better than we do
now.
