Magic Johnson took to Twitter on Thursday to say he’s “disgusted by what’s happening” to people of color in America and address the violent protests in Charlotte following another series of African-American deaths at the hands of police in America.
Before Thursday, the most notable thing Magic Johnson did with his Twitter account was lose an honorary position in the Lakers’ front office by posting obvious tweets that sound more like straight fact than opinion. Some might say he followed that habit of tweeting blunt truths with the 31-minute tweetstorm that followed:
I am disgusted with what’s happening in our country. What does it take to stop the killing of black men?
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
My prayers go out to the families of Keith Lamont Scott and Terence Crutcher. May God give you comfort & peace during this difficult time.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
This is happening too often, the senseless shootings in Tulsa & Charlotte are powerful reminders of how much work has to be done in America.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
Johnson then stressed that violence isn’t the answer, echoing Michael Jordan’s pleas for violence to stop amid the days of unrest and protests in Charlotte, North Carolina this week after the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott.
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
We must remain peaceful and nonviolent.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
Johnson does, however, say changes need to be made to how police operate in America.
We cannot ignore the inconsistent policing in this nation.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
We need to look at the officers’ records, backgrounds and begin to discipline, fire and arrest. #Accountability
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
When the police and community work together to develop strong relationships, it creates positive and safe environments for our families.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
Johnson then called on all Americans to come together and speak out and “make black lives a priority” to help fix what’s become a problem highlighted more and more by protests and outcry around the country.
These issues are not just black problems or white problems, they are American problems.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
As Americans we have to work together to fix what is going on in OUR country. Americans cannot remain silent.
— 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
As Black leaders, businessman, clergy, athletes and entertainers we must use our platform to speak out on inequality & injustice in America.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
Johnson ends by mentioning the names of many of those who were killed in interactions with the police or in police custody in recent memory.
Our police system must work for and protect African Americans in a way that does not make the deaths of Mike Brown, Sandra Bland…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 22, 2016
…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
It was a well-written and emotional plea that’s often rare to find on Twitter in the form of multi-tweet postings. Johnson then closed Twitter to avoid his mentions and spoke to a Swiss financial services company before promoting an academic scholarship fundraiser in Flint, Michigan scheduled for Friday morning.
