Larger point from the Sterling matter

[Ogaju]

The only reason the NBA moved to action is because the players forced their hand. The only reason the players were able to force the hand of the NBA is because as Charles Barkley said the NBA is a black league. The only reason the NBA is a black league is because majority of the players are black. The majority of the owners are not black, the majority of the executives are not black, the majority of the fans are not black, therefore the reason the NBA is a black league is because the majority of the product (players) are black. Therefore, the players have used the power of numbers to force a decision against an owner that has not violated any laws. They have forced a decision about an owner for his thoughts. Pretty much because they have a majority vote.

Not to long ago another majority exercised their numerical strength to get their way, and in some ways still do. We as a country have and continue to try to prevent the tyranny of the majority. The NBA has a majority of black players, and on the Sterling issue they came out in a tyrannical manner in my opinion. Not one black person has come out to preach mercy or restraint on an 80 year old man and his family that was apparently set up by a two-bit **&54&

When black people ponder the Sterling saga and the way they acted maybe, just maybe, they can reflect on how they would have handled power as the majority race. Just a thought!!

[Fafnir]

Oh the tyranny of making awful racist statements about your employees and being punished by your business partners for it when said employees decide that they aren't going to work for you anymore.

As for the pernicious power of the majority, I don't think black people need lectures on exactly how powerful that can be. I think you're the one missing the point.

[GreenFaith1819]

The larger point is that Sterling - when given the opportunity to apologize - told Magic:

"We'll talk about that later."

LOL.

He sees no wrong in his thoughts/ways, and he's had roughly a month to apologize or at least try to make amends.

And he's in his right frame of mind.

[Fafnir]

Further OT statements/links bringing in other minority groups are going to result in suspensions.

[NorthernLightning]

.

[NorthernLightning]

I'll just censor myself and avoid the hassle.

[LooseCannon]

This is not about the tyranny of the majority, this is about what wonderful things a powerful union can do for its members.

[Fafnir]

I'll just censor myself and avoid the hassle.

Too late, I read this comment as originally posted and it was after my warning.

[KG Living Legend]

 Well, What has Magic Johnson ever got huh. He's got Aids!!! Old Sterling what a comic.

[Celtics17]

It seems to me that Ogaju is simply expressing his opinion here and is immediately branded for it. If you can't express your opinions in these forums without immediately receiving criticism for it what's the point of having a forum? Please try and respect opinions of all of the members here and remember there are countries where opinions are not allowed however this is not one of them.

[Ogaju]

This is not about the tyranny of the majority, this is about what wonderful things a powerful union can do for its members.

And as we all know 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'

Your conclusion is not far from my opinion if you take time to really think about it.

[Fafnir]

It seems to me that Ogaju is simply expressing his opinion here and is immediately branded for it. If you can't express your opinions in these forums without immediately receiving criticism for it what's the point of having a forum? Please try and respect opinions of all of the members here and remember there are countries where opinions are not allowed however this is not one of them.

I don't think anyone has heated up a cattle prod and seared his flesh.

We criticized him sure, because when you make a statement publicly in a "forum" of discourse and debate that's what is going to happen. Heck that's pretty much the point. No one had disrespected him, we've simply disagreed with him.

Freedom doesn't mean freedom from criticism.

[indeedproceed]

This is not about the tyranny of the majority, this is about what wonderful things a powerful union can do for its members.

And as we all know 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'

Your conclusion is not far from my opinion if you take time to really think about it.

Who here has absolute power? They need overwhelming majorities to do anything. That's far from absolute power, that's a darn democracy!

[Roy H.]

Sterling agreed to this process.  His actions directly damaged the NBA brand.  There was no reason for him to expect that his actions would result in such severe consequences, but the NBA Constitution permits that.

A majority group of black players is certainly pushing the process. I don't see anything wrong with that.  NBA players are essentially partners with the owners in the NBA venture, and they should make their voices heard.

[pokeKingCurtis]

Naah.

On this issue we've learned from our past mistakes. This is very different from elitism. This is a [dang] moron getting his just desserts.

You're right in that we should stay vigilant and keep an open eye, however. Right now we are definitely wrong on many other issues (I'd venture to guess many of which has something to do with economics). Getting off stupid high horses and keeping an open mind is probably the best policy.