From time to time I vaguely spend time thinking about fame and money. I also think about how some people seem to have sold themselves to the Devil for it. This came up again a couple of weeks ago when the owner of the LA Clippers was recorded by his personal assistant…girlfriend? Viagra supplier? Making racist statements. So many that it was very clear that this was no joke.
The thing is the woman that he was involved with was a woman of mixed heritage: black and mexican. As I listened to the conversation I made the immediate leaps of assumption: she’s a gold-digger, she’s filled with self-loathing, and if she did “it” with that guy…how could she?!
I wondered about my own morality and ethics. Would I be able to “date” an older man who hated what I was (to my bones) for the perks that came with his wealth? Could I lay there and close my eyes and do it for England (America)?
No.
Now, if he wasn’t a racist, was George Clooney or Denzel Williams, not married and nice and had good teeth I’m sure that I would enjoy it. Every ride in the Maybach, chilling out in St. Tropez, with the job of exercising and looking cute. I’m sure I could manage it. But, I would also work on my own business, try to maintain a high level of dignity and self-respect, and work to maintain my own identity.
The thing is out of all of the “characters” in this horrible drama that played out I think that V. Stiviano was the most honest. She knew what she was doing. She knew poverty and knew that she didn’t want to return to that. I get it. As for her obvious personal conflict about her race, I wasn’t there when she was growing up. I don’t know what she had to deal with, but it’s clear that people made her feel badly about being of mixed race. I can only feel sympathy for her in that respect.
As for the President of the NAACP L.A. chapter (Leon Jenkins) who accepted tickets from Donald Sterling, the owner of the Clippers, I am disgusted. Mr. Jenkins received monies from Mr. Sterling for tickets for kids to go to the Clippers. The thing is I purchase tickets for groups for basketball games and they can be pretty cheap. You can purchase tickets in pricing rages between $15-$55 a ticket. Mr. Jenkins sold himself so cheaply for tickets that if added up over a large number of years were a tiny amount of money. Why wasn’t he fundraising better? There are tons of rich people in L.A., there’s lots of opportunities to do car washes, dinners, clothing drives, etc. Mr. Sterling was known for systemically discriminating against people of color. And had been successfully litigated against in a lawsuit about this. He basically was proven liable.
I’ve learned that everyone has their price. And it takes a very strong person to stay true to their values. I couldn’t even stand to be in a room with Mr. Sterling (he wouldn’t want me their anyway!). How Mr. Jenkins could shake Mr. Sterling’s hand, take his sh$tty money, and pretend like everything is ok is beyond me.
It’s inevitable that another drama like this one will come to the surface. Remember Anna Nicole Smith? Trim Spa Baby.
What do you think? How much for your soul? Is it worth it?
Latest posts by Michelle (see all)
- How Work Policies Against Black Women Birthed a Love of the Soft Life - 20 March, 2024
- How Taylor Swift’s IP Victory Could Change the Business of Music - 28 February, 2024
- Why Don’t More Personal Finance Content Creators Talk About Policy - 16 January, 2024
Hot topic!! I think about all the seedy stuff that goes around when I watch shows like Scandal. You’d think that that was totally exaggerated, but then this story comes out and you know there is a whole lot of dirty stuff that goes on behind the scenes. I seriously can’t imagine being THAT desperate that I would compromise my morals and ethics. That’s also probably why I could never be in politics. Sterling is a disgusting human being on so many levels. And his, um, girlfriend…I can’t understand wanting fame? money? whatever it may be to be with a man like him…married or not. Blech!
There are so many shady situations that get talked about in the news. It’s funny though, people tend to forget that most of us will do whatever it takes within our ethical boundaries to insure our survival. Initially I was really judgmental of V. Stiviano. But now I feel like she was very clear about her agenda. She achieved it and now she can move on.
That whole ordeal really disgusted me, and was so complicated and interesting on so many levels. I’m proud LA ousted him! I think everyone has their price, but people also have different moral compasses.
It was like watching a soap opera. It also got me to thinking about the saying “you’re judged by the company that you keep.” Many, many people already knew that the Clipper’s owner was racist. He had numerous friends and colleagues who continued to deal with him on a daily basis. As his views weren’t unknown, I have to wonder if those friends also have the same belief systems?