CNN - I'm Not a Racist lyrics

Sterling: I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness, for all the people that I've hurt. And I've hurt so many people, so many innocent people. And I've hurt myself. You know, I spoke to a girl that I was fond of. I don't know why - when I listen to that tape - I don't even know how I could say words like that. I'm not a racist. I love people-- I always have-- but those words came out of my mouth, I guess. And I'm so sorry, I'm so apologetic. Cooper: What are you sorry about? Sterling: Well, I'm sorry that so many people are hurt. My little grandchild goes to a Catholic nursery, and they were pa**ing around candy to everybody. When they got to her, they said, "We don't give candy to racists". Seven and nine. So it hurts me. I hurt my ex-wife. She is a beautiful person. She goes to the hospital and she's a volunteer at Cedars-Sinai. When I went to law school, she worked at the children's hospital. She's a giver. She works - at this stage in her life, she still works. She didn't need this. Her whole life blew up. Cooper: Are you talking about Shelly? Sterling: Shelly, yes. I never dreamt that this could happen. It's a terrible, terrible nightmare. Cooper: Let me ask you - let's start by talking about the tape. Did you know you were being recorded? Sterling: No, of course not. Of course not. No. Cooper: Do you know when it was recorded? Were you together in a room with V. Stiviano? Sterling: Yes. Well, I remember some of the dialogue in a living room. I don't know when-- Cooper: So it was just you and her in the room? Sterling: And just the two of us, yes. Cooper: So you didn't know that she was recording, or that there was a recording device? Sterling: No, I didn't know she was recording. And she was talking so strange all of a sudden, about politics. But I want to explain a couple of things that I said. One of the things that I said was, "Don't bring blacks to my games". Well, 25% of my home games are black people, and I love them. She would always use the word "black". "That's a black girl, that's a black guy, this is black, that's black". So when she said to me, "I'm gonna bring four gorgeous black guys to the games" - players, she was referring to, either football or basketball - I was a little jealous, maybe. Cooper: When did she say that? Sterling: Just before. And I said to her, "Don't bring them to the games". Because of my jealousy. In any event, she never brought anybody to the game. It was like she was baiting me just to say things. Cooper: So you're saying that she, before the recording we heard, she had said she was going to bring four black players - and she specifically said black players-- Sterling: Yes. Cooper: And you're saying that's what this conversation sparked from, stemmed from? Sterling: Yes. And so I used her words. I mean, I really have to apologize to all the people that have been hurt. For them to hear that I'm a possible racist, it's so painful to me. 'Cause I'm not racist, and I've never been a racist. It's not me. Cooper: When you saw them take off - wear their warmup jerseys reverse - and the name "Clippers" wasn't on in that first game, what did you think? Sterling: I really didn't pay attention to it. They are Clippers. They're mine, and I'm theirs. That's how I feel. I would do anything for them. I made a mistake. I hope it's in their heart to forgive me for that mistake. I didn't mean it - I said a few words. I don't know why the girl had me say those things. Cooper: You're saying you were set up. Sterling: Well, yes, I was baited. That's not the way I talk. I don't talk about people, for one thing - ever. I talk about ideas and other things, but I don't talk about people. Cooper: Do you know how the tape got released? Sterling: No. Cooper: Do you think she did it? Sterling: I don't know. I mean, an 80-year-old man is kind of foolish, and I'm kind of foolish. I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess being 51 years older than her - I was deluding myself. Cooper: Were you in a relationship with her? An intimate relationship? Sterling: Well, I don't know what you mean by "intimate". Cooper: She says you weren't. She told Barbara Walters that you weren't. That she's your protector, that she's your right hand man. Sterling: I don't think a gentleman should discuss his, you know - any of the personal items that go on with a woman. I don't want to answer that particular question. Cooper: Do you trust her? Now? Sterling: No, I don't trust her. I just wish I could ask her, why? And if she was just setting me up... I think that people say she was taping me for two years. So, maybe I was just fooling myself, thinking for two years that she cared for me. She certainly acted like it. Cooper: Her lawyer had made a statement that she was your archivist. Sterling: What does that mean? I'm too young for archives. Cooper: You don't want to have your story written just yet? Sterling: No. Cooper: So, you didn't know the tape was being made. When you first heard that the tape was released, did you automatically remember making those statements? Sterling: No. No. Cooper: A lawyer of hers claims that she gave some of the recordings to friends, and one of the friends sold it to TMZ. Do you believe that? Sterling: I really don't know. I don't really want to talk about her. I want to talk about me and the mistakes that I made, and I want to correct them. Cooper: Okay, well let's talk about you then. Let's talk about the tape itself - let's talk about the actual statements. Sterling: I'm responsible. I wanted to apologize also to my partners. I have 29 partners in a league that's a wonderful league. I respect them and I love every owner. Every owner knows me. I love the commissioner. I'm sure that it's terribly difficult for him to impose severe punishment, because he knows me so well. But here he is, trying his best. The league actually believes in doing everything in their power to eliminate it - you know, racism. And here, he's sitting there behind his desk, and the explosion comes on his desk. And I feel bad that I caused it. I mean, what did they do? The league has been good to me all these years. Cooper: The players on your team though, see, they don't want to work for you. Sterling: What's that? Cooper: The players on your team - Sterling: Well, let me just say that I apologize to the league. People want me to hire a wall of lawyers, and them to hire a wall of lawyers, and to go to war. I don't think that's the answer. Cooper: What are you going to do? Sterling: I think the answer is... the league is a good league. All honest people. And I think that whatever they decide that has to be done, I think I should work with them and do it. Cooper: Well, the NBA says they want you out. Are you willing to give up ownership of the Clippers? Sterling: Well, I'm not sure that's what they want. Cooper: That is what they want. Sterling: Well, that's your opinion, and that's what the media says. I'm a good owner, I have a good team. There are people that want to buy my team. But because the media says that the owners want me out doesn't mean that they want me out. Cooper: Have you talked to any of the owners? Sterling: I've talked to some of the owners. Cooper: Have any of them supported you and said that they don't want you out? Sterling: Of course they support me. They can't understand why I would say that. I can't understand why I would say that. Cooper: So you're saying there are some owners of NBA teams who want you to remain the owner of the Clippers? Sterling: I don't speak for the league, or for the owners. They speak for themselves. Cooper: But have any of the owners told you that? Sterling: I didn't ask them. I embarra**ed the league, I humiliated them. I don't know why I did it. I mean, it's so terrible. And I just - Cooper: So you don't believe, though, that the owners would vote to have you removed as owner? Sterling: I don't think so, I don't think so. Cooper: If they did, would you fight that in court? Sterling: We're not there yet, so why should I address that issue? I don't want to fight with my partners. We all do what we have to do in life. I love them and I respect them, and whatever their decision is with regard to the disposition of my terrible words. Then I have to do it, I think. Cooper: Here's what I don't understand. I get you were saying you were jealous, you didn't want her being seen with other guys. You didn't want her to be photographed with other guys. You thought she was kind of throwing it in your face. That seems to be what you're saying. Sterling: Have you ever liked a girl - were you ever jealous of her a little bit if she was with other guys? It isn't that I didn't want her to be photographed-- Cooper: You were jealous. Sterling: I admit; I was jealous. And it was stupid. Cooper: The thing is, though, what you were saying wasn't "I don't want you seen with other guys". You were saying "I don't want you seen with black guys". Sterling: Because she used the word "black guys". "I'm bringing some gorgeous black guys". Cooper: But in the tape, you're the one who brings up - you say that friends of yours are calling you up, telling her she's bringing black guys to the games. You say, and let me just read to you so you can respond - Sterling: It's all convoluted. Cooper: You said: "Why are you taking pictures with minorities? Why?" Later on you say "it bothers me a lot, you want to broadcast you're a**ociating with black people. Do you have to?" Then she says "you a**ociate with black people". You say "I'm not you, you're not me. You're supposed to be a delicate white or delicate Latina girl". The question then is, why does being seen with a black person not make her a delicate white or delicate Latina girl? Sterling: I can't explain some of the stupid, foolish, uneducated words that I uttered. I don't know. You know, you get upset and you say things. Cooper: One other thing you said: you said, "I'm just saying in your lousy [expletive] Instagrams, you don't have to have yourself walking with black people. You don't have to. If you want to, do it". Sterling: It doesn't make sense. I don't care. I didn't care. Cooper: Would it have been okay with you if she was bringing a white person to a game? Sterling: She had four seats. She brought a lot of people. I don't understand why in the world I said any of those stupid, uneducated remarks. Because I really don't care who she brought to the game. I was more interested in the game. I was a little jealous, I have to admit. But I don't know why I said those stupid things. Cooper: For a lot of people, though, these comments that were caught on tape do echo other charges that have been made in the past. As you know, by Elgin Baylor and other lawsuits. Sterling No, no, no, no, no. You're trying to connect them. Cooper: No, I'm - Sterling: Elgin Baylor has nothing to do with the things I said 20 years later. What does that have to do-- Cooper: Well, Elgin Baylor made a claim that you have a plantation mentality, and then now in this thing, you're saying you feed these guys and you - Sterling: I think you have more of a plantation mentality than I do. And I think you're more of a racist than I am. Cooper: How so? Sterling: Because I'm not a racist, I've never been a racist, and I'll never be a racist. I don't know what that means - that type of mentality. You're asking me about questions - what do you mean "a mentality"? Cooper: To have a plantation mentality is to feel like you own these guys, they're working for you-- Sterling: Do I own them? My players earn $100 million a year. Now do I own them? Some of them earn $50 million a year. Cooper: In this tape you're saying "I support them, I give them food, clothes, cars, and houses". Sterling: Well, I think I create opportunities for them so they can make $100 million. I don't give them anything, believe me. And those players could get that same amount of money anywhere else. Cooper: You acknowledge they earn that? Sterling: Of course they earn it, and they work harder than any other sport. The players don't hate me. The sponsors don't hate me. The fans don't hate me. The media hates me. The media, it's all the media. Pushing it. Cooper: Honestly, you really believe that it's just the media? Sterling: I believe it 100%. I believe it 100%. People call me by the thousands and give me support. They don't say I should have said that! Cooper: You don't think the players don't like you? When the Clippers - when your team - took off their jerseys - Sterling: Why wouldn't they like me when I'm respectful and I treat them well? Cooper: Whey they reversed their jerseys and didn't wear the name, and wore black socks - Sterling: Well when one does it, then the others have to do it. Cooper: You think it was just pressure? Sterling: Well, what do you think? Do you think they're all going to walk off the team? I mean, can any of us just stop working? We all have to work, we all have to earn a living, we all have bills, we may work for an employer we don't love. I contend that they love me. Cooper: You think they still love you? Sterling: I do. Cooper: You believe the players of the Los Angeles Clippers - Sterling: Absolutely. They know I'm not a racist, and I'm not a racist. Cooper: Why haven't they come forward and said that? Sterling: Well, you see, people are intimidated by even the thought of racism. Around the world, they call me from Australia and from London, and they ask me - different media - are you a racist? I'm not a racist. Cooper: Magic Johnson, you know, has made a public comment. Do you have something to say to him? Sterling: What can I say to him? He - it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. I'm hurt, but it doesn't matter. Cooper: You're hurt that he spoke out publicly? Sterling: I'm hurt that he called me up and he said, "Don't do anything. Wait until you hear from me". Then somebody called me later and said he doesn't want to be involved. And then he released a tape that I said to him - that I talked to him in confidence. Here is a man who - I don't know if I should say this - he acts so holy. I mean, he made love to every girl in every city in America and he had AIDS. And when he had those AIDS, I went to my synagogue and I prayed for him. I hoped he could live and be well. I didn't criticize him. I could have. Is he an example for children? You know, because he has money, he's able to treat himself. But Magic Johnson is irrelevant in this thing. He didn't do anything harmful to anybody, and I respect him, and I admire everything that he does. I'd like to help even more if he would offer me an opportunity to help. I like to help minorities. Cooper: Magic Johnson had said that he would never attend a game while you were owner. Apparently he showed up to a game today. Sterling: He would never what? Cooper: Attend a Clippers game as long as you were owner. And he came today to see the game. Sterling: He was there at the game? Cooper: Yeah. Sterling: I don't think it's worthy of even discussing. Such a stupid remark. But he lulled me into waiting a week, you know what I mean? He says, "Don't do anything". Cooper: You're saying he told you not to say anything? Sterling: Yeah. "Don't do anything, I know the girl... don't do anything, I'll help you". I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I'm waiting. Cooper: What you're saying is Magic Johnson called you up? Or you called him up? Sterling: I don't know his phone number. Cooper: He called you up when the tape broke? Sterling: I don't call anybody. I'm loyal to you. Cooper: He called you up when the tape came out, and he told you not to say anything? Sterling: Yeah. Cooper: Why did he say don't say anything? Sterling: He just said, "Wait, be patient, I'll help you, we'll work it out". Cooper: Why do you think he said that? Sterling: I think he wanted me to just do nothing so he could buy the team. He thought maybe the whole thing would be resolved in two weeks. What has he done? Can you tell me? Big Magic Johnson. What has he done? Cooper: Well, he's a business person. He's - Sterling: He's got AIDS. Did he do any business, I want to know, did he help anybody in South L.A.? Cooper: Well I think he has HIV. I don't think he actually has full blown AIDS. Sterling: Well, what kind of a guy goes to every city and has s** with every girl, that he catches HIV. Is that someone we respect and tell our kids about? I think he should be ashamed of himself. I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people? He doesn't do anything. You call up and say - well, you know, the Jewish people - Cooper: He's opened a lot of businesses in inner-city neighborhoods. Sterling: The Jewish people have a company, and it's for people who want to borrow money and no interest. They want to give them a fishing pole. We want to help people. If they don't have the money, we'll loan it to you. You don't have interest, one day you'll pay us back. I'm just telling you. He does nothing. It's all talk. Cooper: So you're saying that African Americans don't contribute to African American communities as much as Jewish people do? Sterling: There's no African American - never mind. Whatever. I'm sorry. You know, they all want to play golf with me. Everybody wants to be with me. Interlude Cooper: You have talked to him? Sterling: Twice. And then — Cooper: Did you apologize to him? Sterling: He knew the girl, he said. He knew the girl well. Cooper: Did you apologize to him, or--? Sterling: If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry. He's a good person and he — what am I going to say? Has he done everything he can to help minorities? If you want me to say it, I'll say it: he's great. I just don't think that he is a good example for the children of Los Angeles, that he would go and do what he did and then get AIDS. I mean, come on. Maybe he doesn't think I can be a good owner. I remember when he came from Detroit, he came to my house. You know — he was a great player. But I want to know exactly what he — what does he do? He works with the Dodgers? Do you know what I do? Cooper: I mean he's got a business. He owns movie theaters. Sterling: I spend millions on giving away and helping minorities. Does he do that? That's one problem I have: Jews, when they get successful, they will help their people. And some of the African Americans — maybe I'll get in trouble again — they don't want to help anybody. What has Magic Johnson really done for children's hospitals? Kids are lying in the hallways. They're sick. They need a bed. What has he done for any hospital? What has he done for any group? I don't know. Maybe he's done a lot. I know he's successful in business, but I'm not interested in business at all. I'm interested in helping people. That's - Cooper: But you are interested in business. You're interested in maintaining ownership of the Clippers. That's business. Sterling: Well, that's - Cooper: You can take hundreds of millions of dollars from the share of the team and help whoever you wanted with that money. Sterling: And maybe I'll do that. Interlude Cooper: Did you say to somebody that you should've paid V. Stiviano off? Sterling: No. Cooper: Did she ask you for money? Do you believe she was trying to extort money from you in any way? Sterling: You know - forgive me for saying this, she is a good person. She is a beautiful person. There's 15 of her: 15 children, 15 Hispanic kids - sisters and brothers - and she supports them all. Perhaps she's made some mistakes. I thought she cared for me. I was stupid. How could a girl care for a man, 51 years older. She didn't, or she wouldn't have released those tapes. She's not a bad person, you know. She has to survive. She's a street person, but inside she's a good person. Cooper: You still think she's a good person? Sterling: But she's not relevant to this conversation. I don't know why she did what she did. I wish God would tell me. But whatever she did, good or bad, I'm the guilty one for uttering those terrible, ugly words that I don't mean. I made such a mistake. I thought that woman really cared for me. But thank God — this has all come to the light, because it could've been worse, and she could've — I don't know what she wants. I don't know what she wants. Cooper: She told Barbara Walters that there's other recordings out there. Sterling: They say there are a hundred. Cooper: Do you believe there are other things you've said which you might regret? Sterling: I don't know what she baited me to say. Cooper: Do you have the sense that she was wanting money from you? More money than you had already given her? Sterling: I used to think I understood women. I don't think I do anymore. I don't know. I don't know why she released it. She never said what you just said. Cooper: She never directly asked for money? Sterling: Pardon me? Cooper: She never directly asked for money, or extorted money? Sterling: No. You know, if I really can be honest, this girl — a hundred men could look at her and perhaps they wouldn't even think she's pretty, but she was something special. And the point that I'm making is she was a woman who really never asked for anything. She had a way of walking by Nieman Marcus and looking in the window and saying, “Sweetie, do you think that dress is beautiful?” And, if you're a man, you would want to go buy the dress. Cooper: You gave her multiple cars, an apartment; you were very generous to her. Sterling: I was generous with her. I'd go and cover that with you. But some women who are — she was just so nice and so sweet for the two years, I just — I just couldn't believe she was so sweet and so nice. And she never really asked for — she tried to help her family; the 15 people. What a job. Cooper: It sounds like you're still sympathetic toward her. Sterling: I just would like to know why she did it. It's like a woman stabbing you in the chest, or shooting you. And sometimes women say “I love him” and they k** him.