Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson reveals that to this day, the mere sight of police vehicles still leaves him nervous. The Hall of Famer knows that everyone, especially African-Americans no matter their name or status, have little to no room for error when dealing with the cops in today's “tough time”, as Johnson puts it.
“When I see a police car, I still get nervous, and I have to, you know, do everything the right way to make sure, first, I don't get pulled over, second, if I do get pulled over, my hands are on the steering wheel.” Johnson told California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference on Monday (per justthenews.com). “I'm going to abide by the commands, and I'm going to try to do everything the right way. Any instructions that they give me, I'm going to make sure I comply with those instructions.”
The Lakers legend advises parents to have tough but important conversations with their children and to constantly remind them to be extra careful in dealing with situations like this. He recalls how his father discussed these issues with him as a young man and how he's also been able to pass this on to his own kids and community.
“It's not a time to be a tough guy.” he adds.
A lot of conversations like Johnson and Waters' have been on-going in the past few months after the tragic killings of Breonna Taylor and more recently, George Floyd who both died in the hands of police officers. Taylor, 26, was fatally shot inside her home in Lousville, Kentucky in March of this year while Floyd, 46, suffocated as a police officer kneeled on his head while he was being arrested in Mineapolis, Minnesota in May. Floyd's death sparked protests all over the globe as the world battles for equality and racial justice.
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