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An important distinction here is Shaq got to delete his bigoted gesture. Donald Sterling didn't get that luxury.
In 20-20 hindsight, IMO, the Sterling racist scandal was only made categorically worse by how Silver handled it. His punishment was a direct reaction to the mob rule that was demanding it. He failed firstly though in delaying action. What he should have done is immediately gone directly to Sterling and strongly, forcefully urge him to public apologize for his private comments.
That would have had a similar response from the public as Shaq's public apology did.
Instead Silver went into meetings with other team owners.
Then silver could have had more room to do something that actually made sense and also showed some sort of authority of the league.
not to mention gone a long way towards race relations and ending this drama that's pretty icky.
Maybe Shaq has better/smarter people advising him than either Sterling or SIlver, who knows. But it's fair to say Shaq's a fucking bigot based on the level of insensitivity he displayed in what he posted. A simple apology doesn't negate the underlying motivation.
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