Silence, in Donald Sterling's case, is anything but golden, says the NAACP.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP, which had planned to give the Los Angeles Clippers owner a lifetime achievement award on May 15 in a celebration of its 100th anniversary, no longer is going forward with those plans.
NAACP plans to award Clippers owner Donald Sterling with lifetime achievement award
CBSSports.com reported that NAACP interim president Lorraine Miller told NBC's "Meet the Press" of the organization's decision in light of the revelation of an audio recording of racist remarks alleged to be those of Sterling.
"He is not receiving a lifetime achievement award from the NAACP," Miller affirmed. As of Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles chapter's website still had not removed or altered an image listing award winners to be honored at the event.
Magic Johnson calls for fans to boycott Clippers games
The Clippers released a carefully worded statement Saturday, saying that "Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them."
What the statement doesn't do is deny that Sterling is the speaker in the recording - a fact not lost on Miller.
"If you're silent about this, then you're accepting this," Miller said. "And people have got to say that this is not good and do something about it."
The NBA has planned swift action, but multiple members associated with the league already have spoken out against Sterling.
If Donald Sterling is proven to be the voice in the TMZ audio, what should the NBA do to him? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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