NCAI slams racist comments attributed to owner of NBA team

Monday, April 28, 2014  

The National Congress of American Indians today condemned racist remarks that are being attributed to the owner of an NBA team.

Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, made disparaging comments about African-Americans on an audio recording that's been widely circulated on the Internet and in the news media. NCAI said his remarks were unacceptable.

"NCAI condemns Donald Sterling’s appalling comments regarding African Americans," the organization said this afternoon. "There is no place in modern society for that kind of hatred and discrimination. We also want to applaud the many athletes, sportscasters, corporations, and individuals who have spoken out against Sterling and his comments. It is encouraging to see so many people standing together and declaring that this behavior is unacceptable."

NCAI linked the controversy to the ongoing campaign to eliminate racist images in professional sports. Dan Snyder, an NFL team owner, has refused to get rid of his team's offensive mascot.

"NCAI is no stranger to facing down racism and ignorance in American sports," the organization stated. "Every incident of hate and racism – whether a singular incident or the repeated, high-profile use of offensive words and images – is unacceptable and has no place in the 21st Century. We will continue to support the LA Clippers players and fans as they face the fallout from Sterling’s words and we will continue to fight for a world in which no race or ethnic group is treated in this way.”

The NBA said it is investigating Sterling's comments.