First of all, I am outraged by the racial statements made by Donald Sterling and believe that he should be called to repentance, but it seems to me that we are missing a big issue here. Why are we not concerned about the fact that Donald Sterling's mistress copied a private conversation and gave it to an organization that makes a living off of celebrity gossip, i.e. TMZ. Shouldn't TMZ be held accountable for participating in private intrusion, regardless of the comments being made? If Donald Sterling made comments about doing physical harm to African Americans and Hispanics, wouldn't they be held responsible for not acting and notifying the authorities? Also, shouldn't we be outraged by the fact that a married man has a girlfriend that he publicly parades around. What about Donald's wife? Shouldn't she be outraged that her husband's mistress is now seen as a hero for releasing a private conversation?
I do believe in freedom of speech, but at the same time, I believe in the legal due process. The tape released by TMZ should never have been published. Americans have expressed their displeasure with the NSA and the U.S. government spying on people without their knowledge. Why are we not demanding the same standard for TMZ? Of course, I completely disagree with Sterling's comments, but he has made comments like these before and no one has expressed any public outrage. In fact, the NAACP was going to give Sterling a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to their organization. I don't understand that! Where was the NAACP when Sterling was sued twice by the federal government for refusing to rent apartments to African-Americans and Latinos? In my opinion, the NAACP is no longer a relevant institution.
Maybe the larger gospel-centered question is, would Donald Sterling be welcome in your church after such a tragic fallout? Are we as Christians ready to put racial reconciliation into action? Honestly, I don't think any church would want the media attention that would ensue if Sterling would attend a church service. But the question still stands.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
If we are honest, we have all been guilty of racism or discrimination at some level, but because of Christ, we are a new creation (1 Corinthians 5:17). Donald Sterling is not too racist that Christ cannot transform him. The NBA is not the church, and so I don't expect them to act in such a manner. However, the Sterling situation, presents a perfect opportunity for the church to share the gospel of reconciliation. Sterling is not a lost cause. He needs the gospel just as much as I do.
