Is Donald Sterling Right? By Johnetta G. Paye, Esq.
THE STERLING QUESTION – DO AFRICAN AMERICANS GIVE BACK?
For the past few weeks, former LA
Clipper’s owner, Donald Sterling’s derogatory comments have been heatedly
discussed in the news and on social media. Sterling attempted to clarify his
comments in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. During the interview, he
stated, “That's one problem I have. Jews, when they get successful, they will
help their people. And some of the African Americans, maybe I'll get in trouble
again, they don't want to help anybody.” Donald Sterling's comments implied
that African Americans do not give back to their community and lift each other
up.
IS DONALD STERLING CORRECT?
Sterling's musings on African
Americans has played out in my own life. My father emigrated from the West
African nation of Liberia to pursue higher education. He eventually settled in
Minnesota because there is a large Liberian community in the Twin Cities. My mother joined my father in the U.S. about
a year later. My father wanted to expand
his network and made the conscience choice to attend a predominantly white
church.
Eventually, the members of the church
came to learn that my parents had two small daughters who were still in
Liberia. My parents did not have the financial resources to send for my older
sister and me. The members of the church came together and raised enough money
to purchase plane tickets for my sister and me, so that we could be reunited
with our parents in Minnesota.
All too often, within my community
many children are never reunited with their parents, because Liberians rarely
band together to provide financial assistance to parents seeking to bring their
children to America.
It was the graciousness of Caucasian
individuals, who I did not know that open the door for me to come to the U.S.
and pursue educational and career opportunities that changed the whole course
of my life. I became the first person in
my immediate family to graduate from a four-year college and only one to obtain
a Juris Doctor.
Donald Sterling’s remarks touches on
broader issues that African Americans have discussed behind closed doors for
years. Why are there a limited number of
African American professional mentors who are willing to be rainmakers for
their mentees? Why is it that African Americans do not refer business to each
other in larger numbers? How many
African Americans financially support or volunteer for non-profit organizations
that give back to the community? How frequently do African Americans help each
other secure a job? How many African Americans are active in professional
organizations?
HOW DO WE DISCREDIT THE STERLING PERCEPTION ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICANS?
Sterling’s comments should serve as
motivation to change the perception of African Americans. There are organizations that give back to the
community, such as the BOSS Network. We
can discredit the Sterling perception by supporting each other in larger
numbers, holding each other accountable and being involved in organizations
that enhance our community.
I want to thank Cameka Smith for
having the vision and tenacity to start the BOSS Network. BOSS is truly a sisterhood of successful
women who help, encourage, and lift each other up. I am sincerely humbled and
honor to have been granted the opportunity to be a 2nd quarter blogger for the
BOSS Network. I look forward to reading all of the insightful post by the 3rd
quarter bloggers. Most importantly, I am proud to be a member of an
organization that discredits individuals like Donald Sterling and shows African
Americans DO help to pull
each other up on a professional and personal level.
Johnetta
G. Paye, Esq.
Visit our Website: www.jpaye.com
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