They were rivals every time they were together — except that one perfect time in Barcelona where they teamed up like a Dream and accomplished everything they set out to. Now Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are joining forces again, and using their huge platforms to call for change and for calm. The whole country has to hope Magic and Michael are as successful in this quest as they were at the Olympics back in 1992. What they did then grabbed the world’s attention. What they’re saying now has to.
Jordan, a reluctant speaker on social issues throughout his public life, recently spoke up writing an essay titled “I Can No Longer Stay Silent” in reaction to police shootings of African Americans. Now with the city of Charlotte — where he is owner of the NBA’s Hornets — roiling after the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, Jordan issued another statement urging calm, and expressing both his sympathy and outrage about the loss of life. In a series of tweets, Magic Johnson echoed Jordan — exclaiming outrage, calling the epidemic of shootings a “societal norm” yet still urging Dr. King-style calm. “America must unify,” he says, to solve the problems.
…Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Alton Sterling, Keith Lamont Scott, Terence Crutcher and so many more the societal norm.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
America must unify and make black lives a priority to start solving the issues of inequitable treatment of African Americans in this country
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
For those protesting in Charlotte, who are upset and frustrated over the death of Keith Scott, destruction and violence is not the answer.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
