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The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press

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The Foothill Dragon Press

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Let Sports Unite Us

Credit%3A+Michael+Morales%2FThe+Foothill+Dragon+Press
Credit: Michael Morales/The Foothill Dragon Press
Credit: Michael Morales/The Foothill Dragon Press
Racism should not interfere with the joy caused by sports. Credit: Michael Morales/The Foothill Dragon Press

Racism still runs rampant in 21st century America in the most unexpected places, fueled by the most unexpected people and personas.

Where is one place where you can escape poverty for a short while? Where is the place where you can mentally block out all politics and controversy and forget all the problems of the past and future for just a moment, while you focus on the present?

That place is sports.

Any playing field of any sport, especially regarding youth athletics, is an escape from the real world for a few hours at least.

Now, with Donald Sterling’s racism flaring in the eyes of any and all media outlets, any athletic field is tarnished with the reminder that there are, in the most powerful heights of professional sports, still those who, for some twisted unbeknownst reason, cling to the horrid racism that has haunted our country for so long.

Owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, the disgusting Sterling’s racist comments towards the African-American Community were recorded by his even filthier “girlfriend,” unbeknownst to Sterling, and released to the media. His blatant hypocrisy and arrogance on full display, almost all national media outlets reported the story, causing the NBA to ban Sterling from the Association for life, forcing him to sell the Clippers, and renounce any affiliation with the NBA as well.

Both the Clippers and the two-time defending champion Miami Heat protested Sterling’s comments during the NBA Playoffs by wearing inside-out shirts during pregame warm-ups, leaving their official warm-up uniforms in the middle of the court on national television, to communicate to their fans that they, and their fellow athletes were against everything that Sterling now stands for.

No NBA game will go on this year, without the taint of Sterling’s filth hovering over the minds of everyone in participation. With all the media coverage the situation has received, and is still receiving due to Sterling’s consistently ignorant behavior, his stench will likely remain for the distant future.

Anytime I see a basketball game, play a basketball game, or participate in any sporting event for that matter, I’m haunted by the reminder of the discrimination that has persisted in American culture throughout hundreds of years. Instead of being able to escape from the politics and hate of our  modern world, I am constantly reminded of it in a place where, not just me, but any male or female athlete, young or old, should be completely able to clear their minds for a little while.

As a country divided fifty-fifty, Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, we need to keep sports out of our political spotlights. Sports shouldn’t divide us, but unite us. With heroes like Jackie Robinson to Roberto Clemente to Magic Johnson we are a people who have been blessed with superior examples of athletic integrity and leadership. Of all the areas in our life that divide us, let’s keep sports out of them. Let sports unite us.

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Let Sports Unite Us