AIDS: What Children Shouldn’t Know

AT THE outset, A Conversation with Magic seems the kind of show any parent would welcome. What a relief that Nickelodeon, home of Lassie and The Little Koala, came up with this “special edition”— produced during the months Earvin “Magic” Johnson spent as a “spokesman for the AIDS virus”—to teach children about AIDS! And what better person than Magic to answer whatever questions a group of ordinary children might have on this difficult subject? Magic is adamantly heterosexual and has a religious grounding that allows him to talk easily about God. He was called a hero by President Bush and had been appointed to the National Commission on AIDS.

Johnson had been championed for the appointment by AIDS activists ostensibly because of his potential to reach city teenagers. But it was his appeal to more general audiences that was of most use to those intent on convincing the public that we are all at risk.

MM

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Margaret Liu McConnell

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AT THE outset, A Conversation with Magic seems the kind of show any parent would welcome. What a relief that Nickelodeon, home of Lassie and The Little Koala, came up with this “special edition”— produced during the months Earvin “Magic” Johnson spent as a “spokesman for the AIDS virus”—to teach children about AIDS! And what better person than Magic to answer whatever questions a group of ordinary children might have on this difficult subject? Magic is adamantly heterosexual and has a religious grounding that allows him to talk easily about God. He was called a hero by President Bush and had been appointed to the National Commission on AIDS.

Johnson had been championed for the appointment by AIDS activists ostensibly because of his potential to reach city teenagers. But it was his appeal to more general audiences that was of most use to those intent on convincing the public that we are all at risk.