When I’ve had girlfriends, we’d sometimes pretend to be somebody else in some weird situation with a dramatic power disparity. In these games, I got to pretend to be very powerful. Sometimes, we invoked certain gender and ethnic stereotypes to up the ante.
If our interactions were taped and played on the internet, my standing as a moral leader would be sorely diminished. I have not always spoken in private in ways that made me look good. I’ve gotten particularly unhinged over my girlfriends flirting with other guys. I’ve gone right round the bend at times. I’ve said and written in emails really stupid and embarrassing things. I’ve even blogged them.
So I think it is outrageous that Donald Sterling has been punished for things he said in private to his mistress. Who hasn’t said horrible things in private?
Does the protection we give to private conversations depend upon what is said in them and who says it? If a person gives unPC views, then it is cool to dump on them for things said privately? Does protection depend upon how much sympathy we have for the person? So if we make up our minds the person is bad, then when can say anything about them?
From listening to the tape, I got the idea that Donald Sterling considers Magic Johnson a friend. He just doesn’t want his girlfriend mixing it up with him.
Most Americans who follow basketball will acknowledge that blacks are better at basketball than other races. Attributing this superiority to blacks is not considered racist by most ordinary people (as opposed to elites). Isn’t it obvious that the races have different gifts? Together we make up the complete image of God.
