Kevin Johnson: Let Sterling Be An Example To ‘Every Bigot In This Country’

Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, Ca., and former NBA player, is seen in the East Room of the White House for President Barack Obama's announcement to launch a new initiative to provide greater opportunities for yo... Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, Ca., and former NBA player, is seen in the East Room of the White House for President Barack Obama's announcement to launch a new initiative to provide greater opportunities for young black and Hispanic men called 'My Brother's Keeper', Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 in Washington. The White House is partnering with businesses, nonprofits and foundations to address disparities in education, criminal justice and employment. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MORE LESS

Former NBA All-Star and current Sacramento, Calif. Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA should serve as an example to “every bigot in this country.”

“It doesn’t matter if you are a professional basketball player worth millions of dollars, or a man or woman who works hard for their family,” Johnson said in an NBA Players Association press conference. “There will be zero tolerance for institutional racism, no matter how rich or powerful.”

“I want to also say this is a very stark reminder that we still have a lot of work to do,” he later added. “Yes, we have an African-American president. Yes, justice happened in a swift manner and forceful, yes, that occurred today. But these events remind all of us that hatred and bigotry are far from over. I hope that every bigot in this country sees what happened to Mr. Sterling and recognizes that if he can fall, so can you.”

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  1. looking at you, Justice “post-racial society” Roberts.

  2. Not sure we need lectures from a former charter school teacher who misused school funds, crawled into bed with a Teach For America volunteer, and was accused of fondling a student.

  3. Wait, a former NBA player is mayor of Sacramento? I live 2 hours away and had no idea!

  4. I, for one, cannot wait until all these old bigots shuffle off this mortal coil and take their nonsense with them.

  5. I love it. Zero tolerance. Doesn’t matter how much money you have. You can say it, but there will be consequences.

    Of course, this will just send the bigots underground again…where they belong.

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