V. Stiviano Says Donald Sterling's Not A Racist

The entire case of Donald Sterling's recorded and leaked racist lecture to V. Stiviano almost reads like a case study to how modern America responds to racism. It's one part outpouring of support for the discriminated races, one part defense, three parts exasperated sigh. That middle part though — the defense — is a pesky one. Especially when it has V. Stiviano claiming Donald Sterling's not a racist. Girl, do you know what a racist is? You were there during that entire conversation when he was saying racist things!

Stiviano sat down for an interview with Barbara Walters last night. She said that yes, Sterling should apologize for the recorded remarks he made to her about not publicizing her association with black men (specifically Magic Johnson) — but that he's not a racist, he just comes from a "different generation."

I think Mr. Sterling is from a different generation than I am. I think he was brought up to believe these things … segregation, whites and blacks. But through his actions he’s shown that he’s not a racist. He’s shown to be a very generous and kind man.

This is what we call the "racist grandpa" defense: The "Oh, he's just too old to understand our modern ways." Because being raised under segregation? Is no excuse to still believe in it. And his "actions?" Those include that leaked tape. Sometimes racists are outwardly nice to the race they discriminate against — that doesn't change their beliefs.

Cause if it walks and talks and asks-you-not-to-publicly-associate-with-black-people like a racist? Yeah, it's a racist.