After a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F28%2Fus%2Fclippers-sterling-scandal%2F">making racist remarks was released in April 2014</a>, he was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F29%2Fus%2Fclippers-sterling-scandal%2F">fined and banned</a> from NBA games for life. But he's not the only well-known figure who has served as a lighting rod for discussion on race and identity.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
After a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks was released in April 2014, he was fined and banned from NBA games for life. But he's not the only well-known figure who has served as a lighting rod for discussion on race and identity.
Danny Moloshok/AP
The Washington Redskins team name and logo got heightened visibility when President Barack Obama and high-profile sportscasters Bob Costas and Christine Brennan spoke out against it in 2013. Team owner Dan Snyder insists the team's name is part of a tradition and is <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2F2014%2Ffootball%2Fnfl%2Fwires%2F04%2F22%2F2020.ap.fbn.redskins.snyder.2nd.ld.writethru.0837%2F">"not an issue."</a>
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
The Washington Redskins team name and logo got heightened visibility when President Barack Obama and high-profile sportscasters Bob Costas and Christine Brennan spoke out against it in 2013. Team owner Dan Snyder insists the team's name is part of a tradition and is "not an issue."
Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rancher Cliven Bundy <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F24%2Fpolitics%2Fcliven-bundy-interview%2F">made news</a> in 2014 for his battle with the federal government and his comments that implied blacks would have been better off in slavery. In an interview with CNN's "New Day," he said he is not a racist.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Rancher Cliven Bundy made news in 2014 for his battle with the federal government and his comments that implied blacks would have been better off in slavery. In an interview with CNN's "New Day," he said he is not a racist.
David Becker/Getty Images
TV personality and chef Paula Deen lost her sponsors and her Food Network show in 2013 after she <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F19%2Fshowbiz%2Fpaula-deen-racial-slur%2F">admitted to use of the "n-word"</a> and botched an apology. A racial discrimination charge against her <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F08%2F12%2Fshowbiz%2Fpaula-deen-lawsuit%2F">was later dropped</a>, and she is in the midst of a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F26%2Fnews%2Fcompanies%2Fpaula-deen-restaurant%2F">comeback</a>, as she continues to spur controversy with her<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F27%2Fshowbiz%2Fcelebrity-news-gossip%2Fpaula-deen-comeback%2F"> comments</a>.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
TV personality and chef Paula Deen lost her sponsors and her Food Network show in 2013 after she admitted to use of the "n-word" and botched an apology. A racial discrimination charge against her was later dropped, and she is in the midst of a comeback, as she continues to spur controversy with her comments.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Actor LL Cool J and musician Brad Paisley collaborated on the song "Accidental Racist" that was largely panned by critics for being too simplistic in how it discussed American racial history.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Actor LL Cool J and musician Brad Paisley collaborated on the song "Accidental Racist" that was largely panned by critics for being too simplistic in how it discussed American racial history.
Jerod Harris/ACMA2013/Getty Images for ACM
Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012, ahead of the high court's hearing of arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin. In 2013, the court ruled on the constitutionality of the school's consideration of race in admissions.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012, ahead of the high court's hearing of arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin. In 2013, the court ruled on the constitutionality of the school's consideration of race in admissions.
File/Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus made <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F08%2F26%2Fshowbiz%2Fmusic%2Fmiley-cyrus-mtv-vmas-gaga%2F">twerking a household term</a> after her controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with Robin Thicke. Critics accused her of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2012%2F11%2F09%2Fmiley-cyrus-new-album_n_2101366.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">appropriating hip-hop culture</a> and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F08%2F27%2Fliving%2Foutraged-parents-why-miley-cyrus-performance-sets-girls-and-women-back%2F">outraged parents</a> whose children once knew her for her kid-friendly Hannah Montana character.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Miley Cyrus made twerking a household term after her controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with Robin Thicke. Critics accused her of appropriating hip-hop culture and outraged parents whose children once knew her for her kid-friendly Hannah Montana character.
Andrew H. Walker/WireImage via AP
Nina Davuluri became the first winner of Indian descent when she won the 2014 Miss America Competition and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F09%2F18%2Fus%2Fmiss-america-nina-davuluri%2F">drew headlines when her win spurred racist reactions online</a>.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Nina Davuluri became the first winner of Indian descent when she won the 2014 Miss America Competition and drew headlines when her win spurred racist reactions online.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Sebastien De La Cruz, known as San Antonio's Little Mariachi, sang the national anthem before an NBA finals game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat in 2013. When <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Fus%2Fmexican-american-boy-sings-anthem%2F">some questioned his citizenship</a> and mariachi outfit, it sparked defense of the young singer from notables such as actress <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F14%2Fus%2Fmexican-american-boy-encore%2F">Eva Longoria</a>.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Sebastien De La Cruz, known as San Antonio's Little Mariachi, sang the national anthem before an NBA finals game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat in 2013. When some questioned his citizenship and mariachi outfit, it sparked defense of the young singer from notables such as actress Eva Longoria.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
In 2013, stop-and-frisk became a major issue in the New York mayoral campaign, and additional discussion was prompted with the George Zimmerman trial and movies such as "Fruitvale Station" that highlighted the issue.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
In 2013, stop-and-frisk became a major issue in the New York mayoral campaign, and additional discussion was prompted with the George Zimmerman trial and movies such as "Fruitvale Station" that highlighted the issue.
Mark Bonifacio/NY Daily News/Getty Images
In July 2013, George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, sparking outrage in response to the verdict and later for a juror getting a book deal to discuss the case. After backlash, the book offer was revoked.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
In July 2013, George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, sparking outrage in response to the verdict and later for a juror getting a book deal to discuss the case. After backlash, the book offer was revoked.
Joe Burbank/Pool/Getty Images
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has opened up discussion about identity, equality and faith with his comments and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F17%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fpope-francis-washes-feet-of-disabled-people%2F">actions</a>.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has opened up discussion about identity, equality and faith with his comments and actions.
LUCA ZENNARO/AFP/Getty Images
In a highly publicized move, Sasheer Zamata was hired as a performer on "Saturday Night Live" in early 2014 after an outcry about the show's lack of diversity and not having a black female cast member in six years.
Stories that sparked discussions on race —
In a highly publicized move, Sasheer Zamata was hired as a performer on "Saturday Night Live" in early 2014 after an outcry about the show's lack of diversity and not having a black female cast member in six years.
Heidi Gutman/ABC/Getty Images