Together We Can Change the World

                According to Professor Simon-Weffer, the definition of Social Movement, according to his research, is as described; a collective, contentious political activity based upon a shared set of claims, using social networks to maintain, sustained challenges against powerful opponent(s). What does this mean exactly? What is means is that a group of people (not just two individuals), who share a common problem(s) and want to change it. If the group comes together one time it is said to be consider a protest. If the group comes together and rallies more than once, it is a movement.

            Recently in the news, we have heard about the harsh and brash comments made by L.A. Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. For those who do not know here is a quick summary provided by Sports Illustrated website.

The photo that started it all

            It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?

You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.  The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.

Don’t put him [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.

TMZ released the tape in which Sterling can allegedly be heard yelling V. Stiviano, his girlfriend for bringing black people to Clippers games and for posting photos of herself and black people to her Instagram account.

The players on the L.A. Clippers took action by throwing their warm-ups that proudly show the logo of ‘L.A. Clippers,’ on the ground and showing no support of their owner Donald Sterling.

Even though the L.A. Clippers probably didn’t plan for this, but they started a movement in the world of sports. With Mr. Sterling most recent racial comments that became known through social media. Celebrities throughout entertain has joined the Clippers in making statements about the actions of Sterling. The actions that were taken by the Clippers were a direct reaction to what was said by their owner, but it also sparked a movement that allowed others to voice their open about the actions. Pitbull, Magic Johnson, rappers Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg), Lil Wayne, Meek Mill and Game, comedian and actor Kevin Hart, Donald Trump, LeBron James, President Barack Obama, and NBA’s great have made comments on the ordeal.  

Other people who were involved
 in the movement against Sterling

With the pressure of everyone really, the NBA finally needed to act upon the recent allegations that were towards Donald Sterling. After the investigation, NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, delivered a statement that everyone was waiting for. Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life by the NBA in response to racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation and fined the maximum amount of 2.5 million dollars.

In the truest form of democratic engagement Donald Sterling will never set foot near anything that will have a logo of ‘NBA’ on it. 

http://nba.si.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-nba-investigation-racist-comments-clippers/

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10857580/donald-sterling-los-angeles-clippers-owner-receives-life-ban-nba

https://www.flickr.com/photos/83888732@N07/14051135884/in/photolist-npDKaw-nqF8FM-npuuuL-noWnbw-nqTKZv-nnrB1D-nsRXui-nqNZoL-nmYWJm-na7y9J-naDyUP-naCDm7-nnJ8pd-nsXzSu-7QzPUq-nmuvhL-nqYakG-nt2ftv-npWsxB-nonPx4-nk3Mmw-nb4KUi-7A9ypT-4zhq4p-7Dzj1L-nn5inP-6n3yCD-7Dzj9s-9rkmYJ-9rhp8x-dTLUga-ntG3ap-9rs3Ea-9rv1Mj-cCymdW-f5prQe-na1vde-f5qjxc-duw3pv-8wHYUb-9oYihZ-9oYioH-9p2mVA-9oYhUt-9oYiiM-9oYi8R-9oYhYX-9p2nb1-9p2mWu-9p2n2C

https://www.flickr.com/photos/102325094@N02/14088566124/in/photolist-nrJWfB-nsXzSu/