Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Published : May 13, 2014 12:04 PM IST
Donald Sterling, the LA Clippers owner is a man who truly has the foot-in-mouth disease. In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper that aired on Monday night where he admitted he made a terrible mistake by uttering racist remarks, he also took a shot at former player Magic Johnson.
'Big, Magic Johnson, what has he done?' Sterling asked Cooper. 'He's got AIDS.' When Cooper clarified that Johnson was diagnosed with HIV and not AIDS, Sterling continued in same vein: 'What kind of a guy has sex with every girl, and then he catches HIV? Is that someone we want to respect and tell our kids about? I think he should be ashamed of himself. I think he should go into the background. What does he do for the black people?'
The NBA owner has been in the eye of the storm when audio recordings of him were released, telling a woman, V.Stiviano, not to bring black people to games or share photos of herself with black people on social media. A photo of Stiviano with Magic Johnson was mentioned during the recorded conversation.
When asked if Sterling had apologised to Johnson, Sterling said: ''Well, if I said anything wrong, I'm sorry,' Sterling responded. 'He's a good person. 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 just don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles. That he would go and do what he did, and then get AIDS.'
Sterling's remarks actually led NBA commissioner Adam Silver to release a statement apologising to Magic Johnson: 'He continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack... The NBA Board of Governors is continuing with its process to remove Mr. Sterling as expeditiously as possible.'
The Magic Johnson HIV Story
When Magic Johnson announced he had tested positive for HIV and would retire immediately, he gave a major shot in the arm to HIV awareness. Till then it was widely believed that HIV only affected intravenous drug users or homosexuals and Johnson actually announcing was extremely radical for that day and age. He was praised as a hero and former US President George HW Bush even said: 'For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports.'
Since then, Johnson has been an vocal campaigner against HIV/AIDS. He set up the Magic Johnson Foundation to combat HIV, in 92 joined the National Commission on AIDS though and was also the main speaker of the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference in 1999. Johnson's admission and subsequent awareness drive helped overcome the notion that HIV was only for drug addictions and homosexuals.
What is HIV?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys or impairs the function of the body's immune system making the person more susceptible to infections. Unless treated, it develops into full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues lining the vagina, anal area, mouth and eyes, or through a break in the skin. There are two main types HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. Asia can thus no longer be considered free of HIV-2, and testing for HIV-2 appears mandatory, at least in India. Worldwide, when people refer to HIV they are usually referring to HIV-1. (Read: Getting tested for HIV)
What is AIDS?
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) isn't a disease in itself. It is a condition in caused by HIV in which the body's immune system fails to battle foreign microorganisms. This leads to various opportunistic infections and/or certain cancers. It is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. (Read: AIDS causes, symptoms, treatment)
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