NBA player Kyle Lowry victim of NBA Ownership and White Privilege

During game three of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors part owner Mark Stevens violated Toronto Raptors, point guard Kyle Lowry, NBA rules and image, and perhaps the state laws of California when he pushed or assaulted Lowry who was just doing his job by attempting to save a loose ball headed out of play.

Lowry the starting point guard for the Raptors was making a play on a loose ball but incidentally landed in the floor seat row, a couple of seats from part owner Mark Stevens. Upon Lowry valiant effort he was confronted by privileged, and an irate vulgar fan, that fan happened to be Mr. Mark Stevens.

Mr. Stevens obviously did not or could not appreciate the hustle, grit, and effort of this player at his job and just doing his job and decided to push or assault this player on national television with millions of viewers of all audiences watching.

Sportsmanship, professional NBA ownership etiquette, civility, respect for humanity, respect for an individual performing his trade/job, respect for the law, respect for the NBA rules and standards of conduct, all meant nothing to the ‘privileged’ owner Mr. Mark Stevens, when it came to his angst and bias toward the Toronto guard, Kyle Lowry.

This incident warrants the query as to how we got to this place of ‘white privilege’ that even permeates a professional sports league the NBA, that is well represented by black American players who make-up 95% of the league and teams. However, the numbers are remiss when you consider the number of black American owned teams, head coaches, general managers, and NBA front office executives.

Had it been an NBA player pushing or assaulting a fan, or Lowry defending himself he would have been crucified, black-balled, chastised, suspended, fined and possibly banned from the NBA.

The NBA fined and suspended Stevens, however, should his actions warrant a more serious punishment as it would have, had the NBA player was the aggressor or defended himself? Most people who are fair and honest would say, yes. Why should Lowry have to endure such mistreatment, embarrassment, humiliation, emasculation, on national television while at work? The resolution appears to be inadequate considering the level of the individual involved, a billionaire owner, and the impact and gravity of the sports world and America watching. The divestment or buyout of Mr. Stevens stake may well be the best solution to demonstrate that it’s this kind of ‘privilege’ in the face of the public that divides our nation in sports, entertainment, and social justice circles across this country.