Post date: Apr 30, 2014 5:26:41 AM

Over the past few days, Donald Sterling and his racist ideologies have been introduced to even the non-sports acquainted. The reality, however, is that Sterling's racism is not new. In fact, the long list of Sterling's racist and misogynist undertakings is somehow more shocking than even the recorded document of his racist worldview. Because of this, the most surprising thing about the Sterling saga and backlash is that it has taken this long for people to be outraged and that his privately expressed racist views have become somehow less tolerable than the hundreds of real world injustices he has perpetrated towards people of color and women over his many years as a billionaire and franchise owner. This is not to minimize any of what he can be heard saying on the recording, but what it should do is cause us - as a society and individuals - to examine ourselves and our general unwillingness to attack racism and sexism until it becomes easy and acceptable. Of course Donald Sterling is a horrible and reprehensible racist and sexist; that is clear, and continuing to repeat this fact takes no courage and on its own does not mean we are actively anti-racist or anti-sexist. Let's learn a valuable lesson from the last four days: yes, racism is bad and still prevalent, but, more importantly, its continuation is allowed because of our inconsistency in standing strongly - especially at great personal sacrifice - against it whenever it rears its despicable head.

So, read and listen to the following links, but do some with two thoughts in mind; I know I will.

1. Donald Sterling and racists like him are disgusting, have no place in the society we'd like to build, and should be ostracized and punished.

2. What expressions of racism and sexism do you encounter on a daily basis? What do you do to combat these? Do you ostracize and punish the perpetrator in acceptable ways? What more could/should you be doing to end racism, sexism, and prejudice?

A very interesting look at the racism of other pro sports franchise owners and how the NBA owners will react.

Bomani Jones discusses the public's sudden outrage at racism. (Interestingly, Jones's 2006 article "Sterling's Racism should be News" was read more times today than it had in its first eight years of existence!)

Deadspin's complete guide to decades of Donald Sterling's racism. (If you're in my class, we already read this.)

An interesting and potentially controversial discussion of how Sterling's objectification of his players is actually the norm in player-coach and player-owner relationships. (This is where the plantation metaphors come in.)

Dave Zirin's interesting take on Commissioner Adam Silver banning Sterling for life.