"I was baited into making racist comments about blacks by a woman friend on the recording you heard with her." So says Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers. To his credit he made a sincere confession of his offensive words, yet his blaming of his companion for his words may have nulified the begging for forgiveness.

As I watched him with Andesrson Cooper, I couldn't help thinking that one of the markers for a mature adult is to accept resposibility for our actions and words without blaming others. And then accepting the consequences of our actions, whatever they may be.

Ethical thinking and behaving is to realize the need to admit and accept responsibility for our offensive words that bring hurt to persons or groups, then to rectify or make right our mistake. This demonstates our sincerity. To do this is not easy, in fact, it is difficult.

Should Don Sterling go before the NAACP and make confession? Better yet, he should allow Latinos and blacks to rent his properties, which I understand, he has not done previously. This action would show loudly and clearly that his confession was sincere and that he has had a change of heart.