Knicks executive calls for an all black league (1 Viewer)

[Bonzai]

Larry Johnson isn't some powerful league exec. He's a former player with some minor role with the team because one time he hit a three pointer and-one for them in the playoffs thanks to a dubious continuation call. He said something weird on social media. Chill out.

So I understand.... you can say racist #### on social media as long as you're not a "powerful league exec"? Cool.. can I get an update on what rung of the ladder it goes from "no punishment" to "lifetime ban from the league"? Just for future clarification.

Do you know if he's been reprimanded or not?

If not, my sincere condolences on being victimized by this cruel double standard. I hope you can summon the courage to rise above such hurdles and achieve greatness.

Trivializing the matter doesn't make it any less real.

Nope. Just points out that it's trivial. Really, really, really trivial. And that making a big deal of it because you don't like this Sterling guy getting all the racism ink is kind of pathetic.

But yes, still real.

Right

Owner making racist comment in private conversation with girlfriend = lifetime ban

League executive publishes racist comment globally via social media = nothing

Yep... trivial

As I said, you have my condolences. I hope that someday you and your people are able to surmount the terrible hardships imposed by the cruel double standard evidenced here and achieve lasting success and happiness

 

[comfortably numb]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

Reading into it ?

Part of the problem here is we are dealing with Larry Johnson. Is he a bright guy? Doesn't come across as such. Now why is he an exec with the NYK? I have no idea.

But he fired off a tweet. Not a memo, not an hour long taped conversation, not a proposal, not an op-ed, not something in an interview or a press conference, a tweet. Forget about whether it's a "black league" he's supposedly advocating, what if an NBA exec proposed any rival league be started, how would that go over? If the NBA thought anyone in an official capacity was seriously proposing that they would be on the street in 5 seconds.

You seem to have a lot of excuses for him.

He had 3 separate tweets sharing his feelings of.

sterling has every right to not want black people at his arena.

Black people should get over the sterling comments

And...us blacks should start our own league.

bottom line, his ignorant thinking and irresponsible public declarations have no place in the NBA or as an employee for the NY Knicks.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

If a white guy suggested the same he would be committing career suicide. Because LJ is a moron , he gets a pass?

If a white guy suggested the same he would be committing career suicide. Because LJ is black , he gets a pass?

Fyp

If a white guy suggested an all-white league in a tweet he would be considered a lunatic first.

If a white guy suggested a rival league in a tweet, I don't know that he would be fired.

If a white guy was asked about his tweet about a rival league in an interview or email and he said or wrote back that hell yeah he was serious, then he would be fired.

 

[JohnnyU]

citizens arrest!! citizens arrest!!

 

[Fennis]

That's it I am boycotting Grandmama.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

Reading into it ?

Part of the problem here is we are dealing with Larry Johnson. Is he a bright guy? Doesn't come across as such. Now why is he an exec with the NYK? I have no idea.

But he fired off a tweet. Not a memo, not an hour long taped conversation, not a proposal, not an op-ed, not something in an interview or a press conference, a tweet. Forget about whether it's a "black league" he's supposedly advocating, what if an NBA exec proposed any rival league be started, how would that go over? If the NBA thought anyone in an official capacity was seriously proposing that they would be on the street in 5 seconds.

You seem to have a lot of excuses for him.

He had 3 separate tweets sharing his feelings of.

sterling has every right to not want black people at his arena.

Black people should get over the sterling comments

And...us blacks should start our own league.

bottom line, his ignorant thinking and irresponsible public declarations have no place in the NBA or as an employee for the NY Knicks.

Is the tweet thread still up?

 

[Wrigley]

Who'll be the first white to break the color barrier?

 

[Fennis]

Who'll be the first white to break the color barrier?

D.J.

 

[comfortably numb]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

Reading into it ?

Part of the problem here is we are dealing with Larry Johnson. Is he a bright guy? Doesn't come across as such. Now why is he an exec with the NYK? I have no idea.

But he fired off a tweet. Not a memo, not an hour long taped conversation, not a proposal, not an op-ed, not something in an interview or a press conference, a tweet. Forget about whether it's a "black league" he's supposedly advocating, what if an NBA exec proposed any rival league be started, how would that go over? If the NBA thought anyone in an official capacity was seriously proposing that they would be on the street in 5 seconds.

You seem to have a lot of excuses for him.

He had 3 separate tweets sharing his feelings of.

sterling has every right to not want black people at his arena.

Black people should get over the sterling comments

And...us blacks should start our own league.

bottom line, his ignorant thinking and irresponsible public declarations have no place in the NBA or as an employee for the NY Knicks.

Is the tweet thread still up?

https://twitter.com/TheRealLJ2

for now...

 

[comfortably numb]

Who'll be the first white to break the color barrier?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Ok then.

What if a white NBA exec said this?:

He is the owner of the team personally I think He Should have Who ever he wants at the game.

https://twitter.com/TheRealLJ2?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2014%2F04%2F27%2Fknicks-great-larry-johnson-calls-for-all-black-league%2F&tw_i=460157093954486272&tw_p=tweetembed

 

[rockaction]

I remember when Johnson used to make the "X" after every basket.

Typical posters on the board are going to defend, others will castigate.

Personally, I don't dig those excited about those preaching separation.

 

[FlapJacks]

some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream. It's pathetic.

hmmmm

 

[rockaction]

Uhhh, I just read Larry Johnson's twitter feed.

Like The Nation Of Islam, he's against integration.

Anyone want to defend this or call us rubes for thinking this might be a tad racist?

"I heard the Clippers owner made a racial statement And black people are all upset, get over it this is Integration."

Larry Johnson ‏@TheRealLJ2

 

[FlapJacks]

He also compared being an NBA player to a slave while he was playing... Guy seems real in touch with reality.

Just to clarify, these seem like reasonable rankings....

NBA Player

Living off of Government assistance

Slave

 

[rockaction]

https://twitter.com/TheRealLJ2/status/460153990697988096

 

[rockaction]

This guy went full-on Nation of Islam.

Never go full-on Nation of Islam with shouts to Elijah Muhammad.

That's funny that schochet and Funke defend this ####. Great. Let them.

 

[johnjohn]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

 

[Max Power]

Can other races still attend the games in the all black league?

 

[rockaction]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

johnjohn, go home.

 

[rockaction]

Can other races still attend the games in the all black league?

Not if Elijah Muhammad has his say.

 

[johnjohn]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

johnjohn, go home.

excuse me?

 

[rockaction]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

johnjohn, go home.

excuse me?

You think everything is reverse racism. When someone actually speaks from the pulpit of segregation and Elijah Muhammad, you're useless, because you're a constant Chicken Little.

Go home.

Johnson's a racist. Let the big boys handle it.

 

[johnjohn]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

johnjohn, go home.

excuse me?

You think everything is reverse racism. When someone actually speaks from the pulpit of segregation and Elijah Muhammad, you're useless, because you're a constant Chicken Little.

Go home.

Johnson's a racist. Let the big boys handle it.

I don't think everything is reverse racism, but I also don't think white people NEVER face discrimination, that is a ridiculous statement for you to defend.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

As I said, you have my condolences. I hope that someday you and your people are able to surmount the terrible hardships imposed by the cruel double standard evidenced here and achieve lasting success and happiness

Thanks... I too share those wishes.

Gays are subject to double standards? How so?

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Johnson's an idiot, obviously, but the reaction to this story really pisses me off. White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have. Yet some of us are always looking for these types of stories so that we can scream about double standards. It's pathetic.

You're simply wrong if you think white people never face discrimination.

johnjohn, go home.

excuse me?

You think everything is reverse racism. When someone actually speaks from the pulpit of segregation and Elijah Muhammad, you're useless, because you're a constant Chicken Little.

Go home.

Johnson's a racist. Let the big boys handle it.

I don't think everything is reverse racism, but I also don't think white people NEVER face discrimination, that is a ridiculous statement for you to defend.

JohnJohn the baptist has spoken...this thread is now complete

 

[rockaction]

crickets about the twitter feed, Nation of Islam, and the desirability of black segregation? Or do we just excuse statements like these from high-ranking officials in the NBA?

Oh, I forgot...

 

[Brunell4MVP]

White people face discrimation in this country every day. And so does just about every other group. I speak from firsthand knowledge. Try being a white kid growing up in Anacostia. Every day of my life until I moved out at 11 years old, I can guarantee I was disrimated against. Timschocts comment is perhaps the dumbest made in the history of this board, and that's amazing considering all his other pointless rants.

 

[timschochet]

White people face discrimation in this country every day. And so does just about every other group. I speak from firsthand knowledge. Try being a white kid growing up in Anacostia. Every day of my life until I moved out at 11 years old, I can guarantee I was disrimated against. Timschocts comment is perhaps the dumbest made in the history of this board, and that's amazing considering all his other pointless rants.

 

[johnjohn]

White people face discrimation in this country every day. And so does just about every other group. I speak from firsthand knowledge. Try being a white kid growing up in Anacostia. Every day of my life until I moved out at 11 years old, I can guarantee I was disrimated against. Timschocts comment is perhaps the dumbest made in the history of this board, and that's amazing considering all his other pointless rants.

 

[timschochet]

This guy went full-on Nation of Islam.

Never go full-on Nation of Islam with shouts to Elijah Muhammad.

That's funny that schochet and Funke defend this ####. Great. Let them.

I called the guy an idiot. That's not exactly defending him.

 

[rockaction]

This guy went full-on Nation of Islam.

Never go full-on Nation of Islam with shouts to Elijah Muhammad.

That's funny that schochet and Funke defend this ####. Great. Let them.

I called the guy an idiot. That's not exactly defending him.

I'm not sure about the laughter of this. You seemed awfully intent on defending this guy from "racism" charges on the first page.

Granted, we know who the biggest racist of the past couple of days is, but any time I start hearing about the master race and segregation from the Nation of Islam, I'm appalled.

And my panties don't get in a historical socio-political bunch about it when we call that person a "racist."

 

[Gr00vus]

crickets about the twitter feed, Nation of Islam, and the desirability of black segregation? Or do we just excuse statements like these from high-ranking officials in the NBA?

Oh, I forgot...

There's some back story that you're apparently aware of that I'm not. There's some context through which you're filtering the tweets which give them some deeper meaning that I have no knowledge of. Can you elaborate?

 

[timschochet]

Groovus is correct, that when I wrote "white people have never been discriminated against" that was poorly worded. I'll own up to that. I think though, that anyone here who is halfway intelligent understood my point even if some of you don't agree with it. Non-whites are not in a position of power in this country to impose discrimination against white people. So when a doofus who is a minority makes stupid comments like this, it doesn't have the same weight as when a white person does it, especially a white person in authority or power. It doesn't make me think very highly of Larry Johnson, but that's about as far as it goes.

 

[FlapJacks]

Can't believe Schochet is agreeing with Larry Johnson

 

[timschochet]

This guy went full-on Nation of Islam.

Never go full-on Nation of Islam with shouts to Elijah Muhammad.

That's funny that schochet and Funke defend this ####. Great. Let them.

I called the guy an idiot. That's not exactly defending him.

I'm not sure about the laughter of this. You seemed awfully intent on defending this guy from "racism" charges on the first page.

Granted, we know who the biggest racist of the past couple of days is, but any time I start hearing about the master race and segregation from the Nation of Islam, I'm appalled.

And my panties don't get in a historical socio-political bunch about it when we call that person a "racist."

Haven't heard any of this. Not sure what you're referring to. All I heard was that he wants an "all black league". I don't care much for the Nation of Islam (understatement.)

 

[rockaction]

crickets about the twitter feed, Nation of Islam, and the desirability of black segregation? Or do we just excuse statements like these from high-ranking officials in the NBA?

Oh, I forgot...

There's some back story that you're apparently aware of that I'm not. There's some context through which you're filtering the tweets which give them some deeper meaning that I have no knowledge of. Can you elaborate?

Yeah, he's coming from a Nation of Islam perspective and arguing against desegregation and integration of the races. He's getting shout-outs from his Nation of Islam friends, who are also against desegregation.

I'd think that's pretty racist.

Bad Brains, the punk rock band, did it too

"The world is doomed with our desegregation. Just another Nazi test."

eta* God, they were my favorite band, and that line always stuck in my craw.

Wow. was that another misheard lyric. Never understood that. "The world is doomed with its own segregation." Thank God. That resolves twenty-five years of dissonance for me. Ahhh...nice. Bad Brains, 1, Larry Johnson, 0.

eta2* I'm mishearing it again. I keep thinking it's "The world is doomed with its desegregation." Crud. Makes no sense. But that's how I heard it for many years, and I'm hearing it again, despite the lyrics on Metro lyrics or whatever they are. Especially on the Rock For Light mix.

eta3* Forget Bad Brains, LJ is pretty clear.

 

[rockaction]

This guy went full-on Nation of Islam.

Never go full-on Nation of Islam with shouts to Elijah Muhammad.

That's funny that schochet and Funke defend this ####. Great. Let them.

I called the guy an idiot. That's not exactly defending him.

I'm not sure about the laughter of this. You seemed awfully intent on defending this guy from "racism" charges on the first page.

Granted, we know who the biggest racist of the past couple of days is, but any time I start hearing about the master race and segregation from the Nation of Islam, I'm appalled.

And my panties don't get in a historical socio-political bunch about it when we call that person a "racist."

Haven't heard any of this. Not sure what you're referring to. All I heard was that he wants an "all black league". I don't care much for the Nation of Islam (understatement.)

Then read my twitter link and his post where he argues against integration. Why is it so hard to read a page before you comment, TIm?

It's right ####### here. #116

 

[Fennis]

Can other races still attend the games in the all black league?

Not if Elijah Muhammad has his say.

I don't think Elijah Muhammad is saying much these days.

 

[timschochet]

OK, I read it. Yeah he's even dumber than I thought. Phil should probably fire his ###.

But I still reject the "double standard" charges, for the reasons I stated before. The Nation of Islam is ugly, but there's no history of them ever having any authority over this country (thankfully.)

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Can other races still attend the games in the all black league?

Not if Elijah Muhammad has his say.

I don't think Elijah Muhammad is saying much these days.

Him wanting his 400 kids to eat him after he died must have made for a strange Thanksgiving at the Muhammad house.

 

[rockaction]

And I'm missing a man in in Philly kill it because of an internet debate with no late game. Shiite.

 

[Christo]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

So you don't believe the man says what he believes? That's a little paternalistic.

:subtleracismatwork:

 

[TheWalkmen]

I'm white-polish and people have called me polack and made other mean comments to me based on my heritage, even though I'm really good-looking and smart. I didn't realize it was insignificant until Tim just pointed it out. Thanks Tim!

 

[johnjohn]

I'm white-polish and people have called me polack and made other mean comments to me based on my heritage, even though I'm really good-looking and smart. I didn't realize it was insignificant until Tim just pointed it out. Thanks Tim!

 

[Christo]

OK, I read it. Yeah he's even dumber than I thought. Phil should probably fire his ###.

But I still reject the "double standard" charges, for the reasons I stated before. The Nation of Islam is ugly, but there's no history of them ever having any authority over this country (thankfully.)

So what? Racist ideology is either right or wrong. If teaching people that racism is wrong is the goal allowing people to get away with racism because of their race defeats the purpose of the lesson.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Getting pretty loose with the definition of "executive", aren't we?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

So you don't believe the man says what he believes? That's a little paternalistic.

:subtleracismatwork:

Maybe the Knicks don't because if they did .... then yes they should fire him.

 

[[icon]]

I think Tim has more than one point. I don't disagree with all of them, just this one:

White people do not face discrimination in this country and never have.

Yeah, you'd think, as a Jewish guy, Tim would know that that's not really the case.I'd think it's just a poorly worded statement. I assume what he means is whites in this country haven't been discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, though subsets of whites have been discriminated against for other reasons (prior nationality, religion). I don't know how meaningful such a statement is, regardless.

To the larger point, I'm unable to see the equivalency between what Johnson's said and what Sterling has said. Certainly Johnson implies a "reverse" discrimination, but he does not go on to denigrate white people. Rather his statements are a reaction to seemingly racially derogatory statements from Sterling towards black people.

Right I realize he probably means whites have not been discriminated against by and large socially and historically as a group, as "whites". But the wording matters, it reflects a lack of understanding of the issue because plenty "whites" understand discrimination and have had families that have gone through it.

About Johnson - I write that off as a sports celebrity on twitter, no big deal. Honestly they ought to take posting rights away from sports stars, celebrities and politicians for their own good.

You realize Johnson is an employee of the New York Knicks making basketball decisions? This is not a former player with a talk show yapping on the radio trying to stir up controversy.

Yes, I realize that, and they have him in that capacity because he's a former star, people still know who he is years after his playing career.

These idiots get mad, have a drink or three and then fire off something stupid on twitter. It really is like being on a radio show (or oh say a fantasy football podcast) yapping away, but it's totally unmoderated and not thought out, not to mention there's no context in <144 words.

Sorry I'm unmoved, maybe because I really don't think LJ really really believes there should be a new "Negro League" or whatever people are reading into this.

Reading into it ?

Part of the problem here is we are dealing with Larry Johnson. Is he a bright guy? Doesn't come across as such. Now why is he an exec with the NYK? I have no idea.

But he fired off a tweet. Not a memo, not an hour long taped conversation, not a proposal, not an op-ed, not something in an interview or a press conference, a tweet. Forget about whether it's a "black league" he's supposedly advocating, what if an NBA exec proposed any rival league be started, how would that go over? If the NBA thought anyone in an official capacity was seriously proposing that they would be on the street in 5 seconds.

And clippers owner dude didn't even fire off a tweet... It was a private conversation with his GF... even LESS offensive of an environment.

Not excusing it. Guy is an ###... No issues with the punishment. However, what's good for the goose....