Magic demands board member resign post
DETROIT (AP) — Magic
Johnson has asked for the rosig
nation of the school board
member who described the
NBA star as "a big, dumb black
kid" during his school years in
Lansing, Mich
William Carter made the
statements during a Sept 12
board meeting. He suid be
deeply regretted them, but add
ed they were taken out of con
text and ho will not resign.
Johnson said Wednesday he
and his family have been hurt
by Carter's remarks.
"Not only were his com
ments hurtful to myself and my
family, but especially to the
children of Lansing, Michigan,
if not everywhere,” Johnson
said in a statement released by
the Lakers.
"I feel it is inappropriate and
dangerous for a man with his
ideas ami feelings to be in such
a powerful and influential pub
lic position,” Johnson said.
"Should Mr. Carter choose not
to resign. 1 would ask that the
Lansing school board seek a re
call election against him imme
diately.”
School board president Nan
cy Erickson reprimanded Carter
in □ letter Tuesday. Shu de
clined comment Wednesday on
whether the board would ask
for Carter's resignation. She
said a decision could bo made
following a board meeting on
Thursduy.
The district cannot initiate a
recall effort because state law
prohibits tho use of public
funds for such purposes, Erick
son said.
Carter, fifi, said he was not
Angry at being called ‘a big, dumb black kid'
surprised by Johnson’s reac
tion.
"If I was in Magic's sluxrs I
guess i would say tho same
thing," he said Wednesday.
"This is un embarrassment for
his family. I've triod to apol
ogize to everybody that 1 can
conceivably think of
"It was a dumb tiling to do, a
poor choice of words
Carter's comments came as
he arguod for spending more
money on athletic programs for
sixth-, seventh- and eighth
graders.
Carter said ho was trying to
make the point that athletics
help Loop a lot of W111 s in
school and interested in it, hut
"I trim! to make my point in a
disgustingly offensive wav
"1 was trying to explain that
Earvin Johnson was .1 total suc
cess picture, u product of Lan
sing schools, and of elementa
ry. junior high and high school
athletics," ho said
Johnson attended high school
in Lansing, and led noarhy
Michigan Slate to a national
championship in 1H7‘)
School hoard inombor Adoll
i'lourry |r said Carter should
r it sign, as did tho Loosing
branch of tho National Associa
tion for tint Advancement of
Colored I’nopltt
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