Opinion

OP-ED: NBA Slut Shaming Tactics, Donald Sterling & Racism Win NBA Finals

Published

12 years ago

June 18, 2014

With the American sports fan demanding swift action, the threat of an NBA player revolt and nervous sponsors quaking, new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver understandably panicked. Pathetic best describes the manner in which the NBA chose to handle former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist rant exposed by TMZ.

Metaphorically, Commissioner Silver grabbed Sterling by the scruff of the neck and kicked him out of the NBA’s exclusive club. However, a careful look at what happened over the last two months has me shaking my head. The NBA, Donald Sterling and racism pulled one over on us all.

Using the tactic of “Slut Shaming” where holier than thou types shame a promiscuous girl, by exposing her promiscuous deeds is no way to fight racism in America. In my opinion, a better way to handle an 80 year old man with a history of racism would be to allow God, to do what He does best. Teach without the need to expose or shame.

I met an 18-year-old panhandler in 1976 San Francisco. This good-looking White boy named Steven, told me that he had hitch-hiked down from Portland Oregon and was sleeping under a bridge. For self-serving reasons, I allowed him to live in my apartment where we became good friends fast. I liked him, but he liked girls.

Occasionally, Steven’s father would call to check on his son and always expressed his appreciation for my hospitality towards his son. He even extended an invitation for me to visit Portland.

Spring 1979 I called Steven but talked with his father instead. He told me Steven was on another hitch-hiking excursion. I told him that I was at the Portland Greyhound Bus station.

Excited to hear I was in town, he said he was coming down to pick me up and that I would be staying at his place. Never thinking to state that I was Black, I described myself as being on crutches and having a San Francisco Giants travel bag.

Hoping I could spot him first, an older White man walk passed me and stared. I, like so many other Blacks would describe that stare as a go back to Africa stare. This same man returned with a big smile. He introduced himself as Steven’s father and of course I was confused. I had seen that look too many times to be wrong though I was only 23-years-old.

The first night in his home he prepared me a drink while he popped a couple of TV dinners in the oven. We finished eating, drinking and after several hours of talking, he insisted I sleep in his bed and that he would sleep on the sofa bed.

Steven arrived a few days later and while the two of us were laughing too loud his father asked if I had a driver’s license. I replied yes and he allowed me to take Steven to a pool hall.

“Allen, my father never lets anyone drive his car”, Steven said.

Despite the fact that I began to add up the many times Steven’s father treated me like royalty, I was clueless to what this man was doing.

A few months later, Steven’s 65-year-old father died from a slip and fall on his property. I accompanied his family back to his home after the funeral and his ex-wife revealed what I had no clue of concerning the history of this man.

“Allen, I don’t know what you did to my ex-husband but he was always very prejudice against blacks”, she whispered.

Shaming Donald Sterling was like giving the medal of holiness to the self-righteous perpetrators of slut shaming. However, while Donald Sterling continues to cry crocodile tears, I do not recommend that the “United Negro College Fund” hold its breath. A large gift from the Donald Sterling Foundation is not in the mail.

The Donald Sterling Trust sold the Los Angeles Clippers worth an estimated $500 million according to Forbes before this matter was revealed, for the sum of $2 billion in less than two months. It appears that Shelly Sterling saw a clear lane to slam-dunk on us all with a Blake Griffin style facial.

Since when does the perpetrator of racist rants get to pocket a billion dollars after taxes in one transaction? Apparently, when the NBA’s overzealous pursuit to punish an 80-year-old rich White man’s racist rants is its answer to racism.

What is really sad is that while racism still rules the hearts of too many, NBA teams doubled in value according to a Forbes recent recalculation of NBA team values in light of the Clippers sale.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

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Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  