Sunday, September 7, 2014

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of September 8

Read the following article:

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/breaking-levenson-to-sell-interest-in-hawks/nhHZt/?icmp=ajc_internallink_textlink_homepage

After you have read the article, answer the following questions.  PLEASE NOTE, your answer, if asked for, must be EXPLAINED.  A simple "yes" or "no" answer is not sufficient reason for you to receive credit for this assignment.

1. Why is Levenson selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball team?
2. Who is Steve Koonin?
3. To what recent news story, involving the Los Angeles Clippers, is this story reminiscent?
4. When did Levenson send his email?
5. How is the NBA reacting to Levenson's decision to self-notify officials about his actions?
6. In the article, Levenson is quoted as saying, " My role as a leader is to challenge them [racial prejudices and biases], not to validate or accommodate those who might hold them."  Do you agree with this statement?  Is it a leader's responsibility to find and help eradicate prejudicial feelings among those he/she leads?
7. If the roles were reversed, and the leader is the one found to have racist leanings, should that leader be removed from his/her office?  In other words, can a person have racial tendencies and still be a good leader?

25 comments:

  1. Morgan Burroughs:

    1) He is selling it because he had written a racist email back in August of 2012
    2) The partial owner of the Atlanta Hawks
    3) The owner of the Los Angeles clippers, Donald Sterling, telling his girlfriend not to post pictures online of her with black people.
    4) August 2012
    5) The NBA commends Levinson for taking responsibility and self-notifying the NBA of his e-mail
    6) I agree with this statement because if you are a leader, and if prejudices are an issue that their followers are facing, they should help eradicate those prejudices against their followers.
    7) I believe that a person with racial tendencies could be a leader, just not the best option for a leader. If this person had no other prejudices (for example, a prejudice against homosexual people) then they could still be a decent leader. However, a person without racial tendencies would be a better choice for leader rather than a person with racial tendencies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1) he said because he was racists and he beloved it was in he teams best interest
    2) the hawks CEO and part owner
    3) the Donald sterling scandal
    4) 2 years ago
    5) they said that they are thankful for him keeping the team and NBA S best intrest in mind
    6) I do because people look up to these leaders and how they hold them self and whether they treat everyone of every kind with equal respect
    7) I don't believe that you can have racial prejudice toward a player or employe because you may bring your feelings into your decisions without knowing it and harm someone's career or there future standings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Harrison Armour
    1. He feels that his racist email that he sent two years ago, he is unfit to own a NBA team.
    2. Hawks CEO and part-owner.
    3. Donald Sterling and his racist comments caught on tape.
    4. August 2012
    5. They are commending him and praising him for his voluntary actions.
    6. No and no. A leader has a tough job to do which is as follows: to get a certain group of people to put aside their differences and accomplish a common goal while having peace between the group members. It is not a leaders job to change the character and hearts of those he leads. As Dwight D. Eisenhower said, (heck yeah I'm about to use a quote Mr. Ray) "Law and force cannot change a man's heart." Or something like that...
    7. No. It is up to the people above that leader. Yes, and I'll give you one example, Adolf Hitler. He was a great leader, but a terrible man. He was racist, yet he led a country and almost took over all of Europe. Hitler made many mistakes after this whereas if he had not, he may have lived a little longer.

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  4. Troy Banks
    1. Because of an email he sent which included "offensive" material.
    2. He is a part owner and CEO of the Atlanta Hawks.
    3. The incident with Donald Sterling and the offensive statements he made in a recorded argument with his girlfriend.
    4. In August of 2012.
    5. They commend him for his honesty and compliance with the league.
    6. I do agree with the statement. As a leader, he definitely should combat racial prejudices, even though this is a very odd way to counteract racism. I also think that it is the leader's full responsibility to dispose of any form of bigotry they come across, because if the leaders don't, who will?
    7. No, they couldn't still be a good leader, because I feel that the bias would have an effect on most decisions that they would make.

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  5. MacKenzie Jones

    1) He found an old e-mail that he thought was “inappropriate and offensive” e-mail he sent two years ago.

    2) CEO and part-owner of NBA team the Hawks

    3) L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling was fighting selling his team in the face of NBA action over his remarks about race

    4) August of 2012

    5) Most people apart of it were pretty chill about it due to the fact that he came forward and admitted it instead of someone else finding it one day and it taking a huge toll on his career. They also commend him for being cooperative and mature in every way when it came forth.

    6) Yes, I think it is a leaders responsibility to do this. Reason being because if you have a prejudice against something and show it then you might get your self in deep trouble with fans/players/etc.

    7) Yes, personally I think this because if you're weird about someone who's a certain race or etc. playing/ working for the team then protesters would start a riot no doubt.
    It wouldn't be fair at all for someone to be disliked or teated differently because of a trait or preference of theirs. They should choose a leader whom will treat everyone equally based on race etc.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. Levenson is selling his part of the hawks because of a racise email he sent two years ago.
    2. Hawks CEO and part owner.
    3. Donald Stirling the owner of the clippers selling his team because he was racist.
    4. two years ago
    5. They say that he was very mature about it all.
    6.Yes, the role of a leader is to make the team work efficiently with each other and working together means being a productive cohesive unit. You cannot effectively function when there is pointless prejudice on the team. so it is the leaders job to subdue that.
    7. I believe that taking racist and prejudiced leaders out of their position of office will set a good example for everyone and should be regulated by companies and private organizations. Yes, we do have freedom of speech but if you are racist and your company or organization disagrees with that they should have one hundred percent power to fire you. You are supposed to set a good image for your workplace and negativity and racism will pull your team or office down.

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  7. Shalyn Dale
    1.)Levenson is selling his part of the Hawks because he doesn't believe the NBA should tolerate racism and he sent an extremely racist email two years ago.
    2)The Hawks CEO and part owner .
    3.) Donald Sterling's racist comments that were caught on tape.
    4.) Sent: 8/25/2012 11:47:02 PM
    5.) The NBA is commending Levenson for being fully cooperative with the league and its independent investigator, and for putting the best interests of the Hawks, the Atlanta community, and the NBA first.”
    6.) YES. I strongly agree! Leaders should practice what they preach. I highly respect Mr. Levenson for admitting to what he did, even though what he said irritated me highly.
    7.)Yes, if that person chooses not to admit to what they've done, and what they've done is found out, they should definitely lose their position.
    You can't be racist and still be a good leader because in your heart you will always be doing the least for the race you dislike.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alex Turner 3rd Period
    1. He feels as though the NBA should not have any tolerance with Racism and prier (2 years ago) he sent an inappropriate email that had racism in it and felt it was his responsibility to report it.
    2. Hawks CEO and part-owner
    3. Yes,The owner of the clippers was banned and had to sell his team because of a racist phone call.
    4. 2 years ago
    5. They are having a independent investigation
    6. Yes I agree. I think they are responsible. If they are considered a leader to others against ex. Racism then he/ she as a leader should lead to abolish all things about that subject.
    7. No, they should not be considered a leader. Yes they are free to do as they please in the bill of rights states. But if you are being praised for what you say you do or don't do then go and do it when no one can see you that just makes you a hippocrate.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Carter Billings 3rd (1 He is selling his part because he sent a "inappropriate and offensive" two years ago. (2 He is the CEO and part-owner of the Hawks. (3 The story about the Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, saying racist remarks. (4 He sent this e-mail two years ago. (5 The NBA first launched a private investigation, concluding the investigation the NBA has commended Levenson for self-reporting himself. (6 As a leader of something you agree or disagree with its important that you display that in you life and your actions. If you stand for something, but don't display that in your daily life then what is the point of standing for it in the first place? (7 We as humans all have our own tendencies. Its something that we all have and display on a daily biases. As long as those tendencies do not show up in your leadership then I think that a person with racial tendencies can still be a good leader. Although, that leader is in a power position and people look up to him, so those tendencies need to be suppressed and never come out in their position as a leader.

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  10. Leigh Davis
    1.Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball because of the email he sent two years ago.
    2.Steve Koonin is the CEO and part owner of the Hawks.
    3.This story is reminiscent to the story involving Donald Sterling and his lifetime ban by the NBA because of his racial comments in a recorded conversation.
    4.Levenson sent his email two years ago in August of 2012.
    5.The NBA is reacting positively and commending Levenson on his decision to self-notify officials.
    6.In my opinion I agree with Levenson when he says it's his responsibility to find and help get rid of the prejudicial feelings of the people he leads.
    7.I think that a person with racial tendencies can still possibly be a good leader, but it still all depends on how they come across, what they say, etc.

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  11. James Smelley

    1. Because of a racist email he sent.

    2. The Hawks' CEO and co-owner.

    4. August 2012.

    5. They are respecting his decision.

    6. I believe that, to an extent, the people that the leader is leading should handle it themselves, until people begin to attack or threaten each other, in which case the antagonist should be "taken care of."

    7. A person should not have racial tendencies if they are a leader. They may treat some of the people they are leading differently based on race as opposed to skills and other attributes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lynsey Simpson:
    1. he sent an inappropriate/offensive email to someone.
    2. the Hawks CEO and part-owner.
    3. the owner, Donald Sterling was talking about how he didn't want black fans for the Clippers.
    4. August of 2012.
    5. they commended him and respect him for coming out about his actions.
    6. Yes, I agree. it is a leaders/coaches responsibility to get rid of racial bias in the group or on the team.
    7. No, in order for a person to be a good leader they must be able to be unbiased in any way, shape, or form to all of their employees, or team members in order to be a good leader.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Maya Turner
    1. He felt as if he did something so wrong and went against his word to the NBA in being racist.
    2. Atlanta Hawks CEO and part-owner.
    3. Donald Sterling was fired from the Los Angeles Clippers and no longer owned it because of racist remarks.
    4.August 2012
    5. They commend him and are proud of him for putting others feelings first.
    6. Yes because they should want their team to be united and see past color. They will be working with all sorts of ethnicities.
    7.No a person can not be a good leader and have racial tendencies. They would not be able to be fair to the team and have equal opportunity. The leader can not truly be effective if they will hold other people on the team higher than others.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sydney Emmons 3rd pd.
    1. Because he sent a racist email and he didn't want to set a bad example for the team.
    2. Hawks CEO and part owner.
    3. Because awhile ago, Donald Sterling was trying to sell him team because of racist remarks he made.
    4. August 2012
    5. The NBA respect his decision because they think his email was unacceptable and wrong.
    6. I don't think its a sports coaches duty to lessen racial discrimination. People have their decision if they want to be racist or not. Racism is wrong but its also wrong to force others to do what you think is right.
    7. I think people can have racial tendencies and still be a good coach. As long as they are teaching the sport or criteria they are supposed to teach then that's all that matters. But, if a coach is deliberately bullying someone for their race then that is a problem.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lorenzo B. Winston
    1. Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks team because he cited an “inappropriate and offensive” e-mail he sent two years ago.
    2. Steve Koonin is the CEO and part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and he oversees all team operations during the sale process.
    3. This story is reminiscent to the Los Angeles Clippers incident with former part-owner Donald Sterling making prejudice remarks about African-Americans.
    4. Levenson sent this e-mail sometime in August 2012.
    5. The NBA commends Levenson for self-reporting to the league office, for being fully cooperative with the league and its independent investigator, and for putting the best interests of the Hawks, the Atlanta community, and the NBA first.
    6. I agree with this statement because if you are a leader, you have to do what’s right for the other that follows you. I agree with this statement in general but from his point of view it’s making me disagree with the statement because I feel that he wasn’t doing that for anybody on his team at all. I don’t feel that they it’s their responsibility to help destroy prejudicial feelings among those he/she leads but if it is a very major issue then they should take action into destroying prejudicial feelings because if you have more than one race in a group and one of them are racists toward the other race, it is going to resolve into a big issue.
    7. In my opinion that leader should be removed because like I said in my previous answer, it just wouldn’t be safe to have a prejudicial leader for any group because things can get on a very high level. So that leads to my next answer; a person with racial tendencies can’t be a good leader, but a leader with racial tendencies can possibly be a good person character wise to others because it’s different when it comes down to being a leader and being who you really or normally are.

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  16. Ke-Anna' Rich: 1. Levenson sold his part of the Atlanta Hawks team, because a racist e-mail he wrote two years prior.
    2. Koonin is the CEO/part-owner of the Hawks.
    3. Danny Ferry
    4. Levenson sent the email two years ago.
    5. The NBA respected him for his actions.
    6. I think it is leaders job to do what is in everybody's best interest, especially if it would
    help get rid of prejudice.
    7. I think, if the leader is sorry for his/her actions, then they should not be removed from
    their office, but if they had every intention to do something prejudice and felt no
    remorse afterwards, then they should. However, even if they do have racial tendencies
    they can still be considered good leaders, but only if they can keep those tendencies in
    check.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Emily Keller
    I wasn't sure if my comment went through so if there's two entries from me, sorry.
    1) because he wrote an inappropriate racist email, and felt the need to report himself.
    2) the Hawks CEO that will oversee the team that Leveson is leaving.
    3)both owners of the teams are alleged racists.
    4)two years ago.
    5) the nba commenced an independent investigation regarding Leveson's comments
    6)yes. I think that if you are accepting the role as a leader of a group, you need to be able to lead them all not just a particular race.
    7)I don't think you can be a good person if your are hateful to an entire race.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kayla Fincher
    1. Because he sent a racist email 2 years ago and he believes that racism shouldn't be tolerated.
    2. The Hawks CEO and part owner.
    3. Levenston sells the team to them
    4. 2 years ago
    5. They where very happy with the way he reacted
    6. yes, because you would just be making being a leader harder on yourself, it is hard to lead a group that is always having problems and conflicts with one another.
    7. I believe that it would be hard for the leader to lead a group with having a racial discrimination issue because there would be unfair treatment among the teammates or group members which would result in conflict within the group/team.

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  19. Makenzie Taylor

    1. Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball team because of an inappropriate and offensive email that he sent in August, 2012. It was a racist email that he sent.
    2. Steve Koonin is the CEO and part owner of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball team. Koonin will over see all of the team's operation during the sale of the team.
    3. This story is similar to the one pertaining to L.A. Clippers former owner, Donald Sterling.
    He also made racist remarks.
    4. Levenson sent his email in August, 2012.
    5. The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, commended Levenson for self-reporting to the league, for being fully cooperative, and for putting the best interest of the team, community, and the NBA first.
    6. Yes, I agree with the statement. It is the responsibility of an effective leader to make an effort to eliminate racism. Levenson manages a team of different races. When a leader allows racial prejudices to live among the team, the team will suffer. Racism to a team is just like the ebola virus in the human body. It spreads fast and it kills.
    7. A person can have racial tendencies and still be a good leader, but it depends on the degree of racial tendencies. I agree with Levenson that everyone has subtle biases and preconceptions. You can lead as long as you do not let those tendencies affect your leadership position. Once you have acknowledged your biases, work on them to correct the problem so you can become a better leader.

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  20. Abbey Kate Gregory
    1. Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team because he had sent a racist email years ago and he believes racism should have no part in the NBA.
    2. Steve Koolin is Hawks CEO and part owner.
    3. The owner of the LA Clippers ALSO had racist comments that were illegally recorded rathar than voluntarilly given to the public.
    4. August 2012
    5. The NBA is taking it very professionally and are handeling it well by commencing a independant investigation. They are grateful that he self- notified the NBA of his wrongdoing.
    6.Yes, leaders should be an example to those who look up to them. If they stop racist feelings of those around them, then mabey the people they had an influence on will do the same.
    7.Yes, if a leader is guilty of racism they should not be held a leader anymore. I dont believe a person with racial tendencies is a good leader because if they are racist, then they will not treat one race as good as the other and also they would be a bad influence of their peers.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Grace Singley
    1. Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team because he strongly believes that the NBA should have zero tolerance for racism.
    2. He is the Hawks CEO and part- owner who will oversee all team operations during the sale process.
    3. This news story is like a recent news story for the Los Angeles Clippers because of a racist phone call made by the owner of the clippers, which resulted in him having to sell his team and being banned.
    4. Two years ago
    5. The NBA is angry but tries to investigate about the email that was sent.
    6. Yes, I agree with this statement. I believe that as a leader, Levenson should help prevent the prejudicial feelings among the people he leads because it's his job to step up and show a good example.
    7. Well, I think that if a leader is more worried about the racial issues, then he is not a good example of a leader. So yes, I think that if a leader has racial tendencies then he should be removed from his leadership position.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Grace Singley
    1. Levenson is selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team because he strongly believes that the NBA should have zero tolerance for racism.
    2. He is the Hawks CEO and part- owner who will oversee all team operations during the sale process.
    3. This news story is like a recent news story for the Los Angeles Clippers because of a racist phone call made by the owner of the clippers, which resulted in him having to sell his team and being banned.
    4. Two years ago
    5. The NBA is angry but tries to investigate about the email that was sent.
    6. Yes, I agree with this statement. I believe that as a leader, Levenson should help prevent the prejudicial feelings among the people he leads because it's his job to step up and show a good example.
    7. Well, I think that if a leader is more worried about the racial issues, then he is not a good example of a leader. So yes, I think that if a leader has racial tendencies then he should be removed from his leadership position.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Josie Parham

    1- Two years ago he sent a very racist email to someone.
    2- The CEO and person who owns half of the Hawks who will take over for Levenson.
    3- The same thing happened with the clippers. The owner said a very racist comment.
    4- 2 years ago.
    5- They are respecting him for his decision to come forward and tell everyone and take the consequences for his actions and doing what is best for the team, fans, and everyone else involved.
    6- Yes because no matter how much or how little racism is shown among people it is always and will always be a conflict.
    7- No, when you are racial you look down upon another race and when you are a leader you lead everyone not just the people of color you approve of. You must love and respect everyone and you must have good character because if you don't no one will respect you either and a leader also must have respect among his people.

    ReplyDelete
  24. 1. Why is Levenson selling his part of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball team? Because of some racist comments in an e-mail he sent two years ago.
    2. Who is Steve Koonin? The other owner and the CEO of the Hawks.
    3. To what recent news story, involving the Los Angeles Clippers, is this story reminiscent? The owner of that team, Donald Sterling, also made rascist comments.
    4. When did Levenson send his email? Two years ago.
    5. How is the NBA reacting to Levenson's decision to self-notify officials about his actions? The NBA admires the fact that he reported himself, but they still think the comments are innapropriate.
    6. In the article, Levenson is quoted as saying, " My role as a leader is to challenge them [racial prejudices and biases], not to validate or accommodate those who might hold them." Do you agree with this statement? Is it a leader's responsibility to find and help eradicate prejudicial feelings among those he/she leads? Yes, because it is a leader's job to make sure the people he leads can be a team. They can't be a team if they don't rust each other, and they can't trust each other if they hold prejudices against each other.
    7. If the roles were reversed, and the leader is the one found to have racist leanings, should that leader be removed from his/her office? In other words, can a person have racial tendencies and still be a good leader? Yes, because these leanings can affect the way a leader treats the people he or she is in charge of. This would prevent him or her from being a fair and impartial leader. Lizzy Liston

    ReplyDelete
  25. 1. Because of a racist email he sent two years ago.
    2. Another owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
    3. Donald Sterling's racist comments and justifications of said comments.
    4. Two years ago.
    5. The NBA as a whole appreciates him for putting the interest of the game before anything else.
    6. Yes I do agree with the aforementioned statement. It is definitely a leaders responsibility to eradicate any semblance of racial prejudice from their followers. If a leader didn't do that, then what is the point of appointing a leader in the first place? Leaders are put in place to control, organize, and create a sense of harmony between there charges. If racism is allowed, then a leader wouldn't be able to do their job.
    7. Yes, they should. My answers to number six sums it up perfectly. A racist isn't fit to lead anybody. If a person has racial tendencies, they obviously are unfit to lead. The only thing that they could contribute to any organization is their prejudiced views.

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