Monday evening, Anderson Cooper’s interview with estranged LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling aired. One of the most interesting aspects of the interview was Donald’s assertion that NBA great magic Johnson hadn’t done anything for the people of Los Angeles. Sterling said Magic wasn’t a good role model for children because back in the day, Magic had a woman in every city and contracted “the AIDS.”
Donald Sterling on Magic Johnson
“Here is a man, he acts so holy. He made love to every girl in every city in America and he had AIDS and when he had those AIDS I went to my synagogue and prayed for him. I hoped that he could live and be well. I didn’t criticize him. I could have. Is he an example for children? You know, because he has money he’s able to free himself [of AIDS].”
“I think he should be ashamed of himself. I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people? He doesn’t do anything. What has he done? Can you tell me? Big Magic Johnson, what has he done? What has he got? He’s got AIDS!”
“If I said anything wrong, I’m sorry,” Sterling said. “He’s a good person. I mean, what am I going to say? Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don’t think so. But I’ll say it, he’s great. But I don’t think he’s a good example for the children of Los Angeles.”
Sterling also claimed that Magic phoned him right after the recordings leaked and told him he would help him, and not to do anything. But that he feels it was a ploy because he wants to purchase the Clippers.
Donald Sterling on Black People Not Helping The Black Community
“That’s one problem I have. Jews when they get successful they will help their people and some of the African-Americans — maybe I’ll get in trouble again — they don’t want to help anybody.”
Listen, I grew up in Los Angeles. One of the earliest charity event I remember putting my own money towards were “Magic’s Midsummer Night’s” events that used to take place every August. Johnson set the standard for many NBA athlete’s own charity goals with that annual event.
Beyond the fact that the Magic Johnson Foundation has been existence for over 20 years and has raised funds for HIV and AIDS, plus urban communities. Magic is also responsible for several franchises coming to “the hood;” Fridays, movie theaters, Starbucks, etc all in urban communities that have created jobs for the very same people Sterling claims Magic hasn’t helped.
“I’m not a racist and I made a terrible terrible mistake and I’m here today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I’ve hurt. I’ve hurt so many innocent people. I’ve hurt myself. I spoke to a girl that I was fond of and when I listen to that tape I don’t even know how I could say words like that. I’m not a racist. I love people. I always have. But those words came out of my mouth, I guess, and I’m so sorry. I’m so apologetic.”
Sterling teared up at the mention of the catalyst to all of this, V. Stivano. He said he thought she really loved him.
“Forgive me for saying this but she is a good person. She is a beautiful person. There’s 15 of her. 15 children. 15 Hispanic kids, sisters and brothers, and she supports them all. Perhaps she made some mistakes. I thought she cared for me. I was stupid. How could a girl care for a man 51 years older. She didn’t or she wouldn’t have released those tapes. But she’s not a bad person. She has to survive. I don’t know why she did what she did. I wish God would tell me. But whatever she did, good or bad, I’m the bad person for uttering those terrible, ugly words that I don’t mean.”
When asked if V. Stiviano directly asked for money Sterling says no. Then he continues, “You know, this girl, a hundred men could probably look at her and they wouldn’t even think she’s pretty but she was something special. The point that I’m making is, she was a woman who really never asked for anything. She had a way of walking by Neiman Marcus and walking by a window and saying ‘Sweetie, do you think that dress is beautiful?’ and if you’re a man you would want to go buy the dress.” He goes on to say how he was financially generous to her because she was so nice and sweet to him.
