Jeremiah Rivers, the son of Los Angeles Clippers Coach Doc Rivers, had perhaps the best response of all to the audio tape of racially charged comments allegedly made by owner Donald Sterling.
Magic Johnson, DeAndre Jordan and the NBA have responded, with NBA Commissioner expected to address the matter in an 8:30 p.m. EDT press conference tonight. But Jeremiah, the older brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Austin Rivers and the eldest son of the Clippers coach, took to Twitter for enlightened, thoughtful comments.
People want to #BoycottClippers because of one man? My house has been burned to the ground, animals tortured and burned as well.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014Along with anything we ever loved, and held treasured, because of the color of my dads skin. We lost everything and had to start over.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014Did we hate the collective of people, culture, and race who’s skin was responsible for our hardship? No.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014One man, cannot have the power to make me feel hate towards a group, race, or another persons skin color.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014Nor would I allow them to have the power over me to not support the players and coaches that have done nothing wrong.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014Hate the man all you want, show him no mercy if you must. But the players who put on that Jersey do it because the love basketball.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014They want to win for the city of LA, for there families, friends, fans and themselves.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014Racism isn’t born, it’s taught. It is the refuge of ignorance and seeks to divide and destroy.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014The clippers need the people, fans, and city of LA more then ever. The team deserves it.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) April 26, 2014More on Sterling and the Clippers: