Did Magic fake having AIDS?

Chris Baker and Langdon Perry, two conservative talk show hosts for radio station KTLK in Minneapolis, seem to think so. The comments about the Los Angeles Laker Legend gained nationwide exposure through the watchdog blog MediaMatters.org, which posted the audio transcript:

PERRY: What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?
BAKER: Like Magic Johnson.
PERRY: Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.
BAKER: You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?
PERRY: I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.
BAKER: Yeah, me too.
PERRY: It falls apart –
BAKER: Which is horrible.
PERRY: — when you get into motivation. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure he faked AIDS.
BAKER: I’ve got a great e-mail here from –
PERRY: ‘Cause he’s the only cured AIDS guy ever.

I remember exactly where I was when Magic announced his status in a 1991 news conference.  I was at the local gym about to play some hoops with some friends, when one of them walked into the gym and said to me “Magic is retiring because he has AIDS”

We were all floored by the news despite not really knowing what that actually meant.  Back then, the stigma of AIDS was so strong, we didn’t know what quite to think.

I later learned that Magic never announced he had AIDS, but that he was HIV+.

HIV is what causes the AIDS virus, and although they are obviously linked, thy are different.

Nearly two decades later, all the time and money Magic has spent with his charitable organization, the Magic Johnson Foundation, educating the masses about HIV/AIDS has obviously fell on some deaf ears. You would think we have gotten further in our understanding and empathy… not to mention just plain-old common sense.

I get that talk radio is all about being provocative, but this is just plain stupid.

The two hosts on 100.3 FM are being widely criticized by media and from Magic Johnson himself, “”Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS, and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable. Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies.“

Even with their idiotic statements, Magic wants the hosts to keep their jobs, “I would rather they educate their audience,” said Magic. That’s class in the face of classlessness.

In response, KTLK will air HIV/AIDS awareness PSAs and will reach out to Magic for his thought on educating the public. KTLK’s Program Director Steve Versnick declined to say whether either Baker or Perry will be (or have been) disciplined by the station.

Check out Mike Kahn’s take on the situation on Fox Sports.com.

Links and Resources: Minneapolis radio hosts Baker and Perry are “convinced” that Magic Johnson “faked AIDS” (MediaMatters.org), Radio station ‘regrets’ Magic Johnson AIDS remarks, promises PSA (ESPN), Idiots on Airwaves can learn from Magic (Fox Sports), Twin Cities radio duo: Magic fakes having AIDS (Minneapolis Star-Tribune), Magic Johnson Foundation (MagicJohnson.org)