Earvin "Magic" Johnson

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html (Basketball Photo)

The million mile road of life begins with one step that can lead to anywhere. Steps along the way are rocky with troubles, but some are smooth with perfection. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. takes it upon himself to make a difference by helping make other people's roads smoother. Johnson's road starts in Lansing, Michigan, in 1959. He played basketball as he attended Michigan State University. After college, he spent his whole basketball career in Los Angeles, as a Laker, where he perfected his game. Johnson was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1991, leading him to end his career to help protect his immune system. Battling through the disease and not playing basketball gave Johnson a lot of extra time to do what he wanted. He finds himself becoming an entrepreneur for the greater good, helping many others stay healthy and happy. Magic Johnson possesses the ability to help others and the mind to create new ways of doing so.

(http://hab.hrsa.gov/livinghistory/timeline/1991.htm (Mike Powell))

Magic Johnson's willingness to help others, in many creative ways, not only encourages a stronger society but also creates more heroes by showing what any single person is capable of. In 1997, Johnson began putting entertainment into poor areas. "Among his successes, he developed movie theaters and shopping malls in poor and neglected sections of large cities where no one else would invest" (Encyclopedia of World Biography). These improvements to the cities (Los Angeles, Long Beach and Atlanta are among the few), create jobs and help make headway for more businesses to invest in these areas. Without Johnson, the cities he helps would not be making any progress. Not only does Johnson help entire cities, he also helps growing individuals rise up from their harsh childhoods and become something better. "There are a lot of students who wouldn't have the opportunity to go to college right now if it wasn't for our foundation...we are like their other parents" (Positive Magazine). Johnson's dedication to at-risk students provides them with opportunities. His foundation allows kids to achieve an education, which allows them to contribute positively to society. With Johnson and his foundation backing them up, these kids are set up for success in many ways. As Magic Johnson does what he thinks is necessary, cities become livelier and people become more educated.

(http://blackstreetonline.com/tag/magic-johnson/ (Valerie Benjamin-Desir))

Magic Johnson's attitude towards creating a healthy and prosperous planet for all is positive because he is doing all he can to make sure less and less people die each year from HIV/AIDS. Johnson is doing everything in his power to keep peoples' lives worry-free. "He founded the Magic Johnson Foundation for HIV/AIDS education and co-authored 'What you can do to prevent AIDS'" (Gale Biography). Johnson is trying to reach out and touch everyone he can to warn them about HIV/AIDS, with books, interviews, a foundation and the list goes on. Many people were surprised when a star like Johnson became infected but he made it clear anyone can become a victim. He wants other people to experience life as he did before being infected by it. "He's still raising money and awareness, always working to create the same limitless future for others" (Huffington Post). He is doing what he can because he knows people will regret it once something happens. Johnson knows what it's like and knowing he can make a difference is helping save lives and keep families together. If everybody did what they could to prevent the world from being sick, like Johnson, people everywhere would see a huge difference.

(http://www.looplane.com/sports/baseball-sports/magic-johnson-co-won-bid-for-los-angeles-dodgers/ (Loop Lane))

Many celebrities and sports stars are not recognized as 'heroes' because of the selfish ways most possess. But Magic Johnson is an exception to this stereo type because of his willingness to help others, his attitude towards creating a healthy and prosperous planet for all, and his creative ways of giving back to many needy communities. As Johnson found success as an entrepreneur, he pumped money into his foundation, where countless amounts of good deeds that affect almost everyone are completed. Johnson inspires me by spending his money to help others in ways many never even think of in cities that are down. Johnson sees it as an investment, a way to restore the cities he was affected by as he rose to stardom. Magic Johnson should be seen as an inspiration to all because of his "giving back" (Positive Magazine) nature. He is selfless and does a lot to save lives from the countless problems brought on by HIV/AIDS.

Works Cited

"Erving "Magic" Johnson shares his positive game plan with Positive Magazine TV      - YouTube."       YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. . .

BEACHAM, GREG. "Magic Johnson Still Beating HIV 20 Years Later." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. .

 "Earvin Johnson, Jr.." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 1 ed. 1998. Gale Biography in Context. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.