Magic Johnson Research Paper

Human immunodeficiency virus also known as HIV is a disease that attacks cells of your body’s immune system. HIV spreads by sexual contact or it may also be spread by a used needle. Today, a little over 1.2 million people are affected with this tragic disease. As well as 12% of those are actually aware that they have been affected. One of basketball’s greats Earvin Johnson Jr. more famously known as “Magic” Johnson, came out in 1991 and announced that he was HIV positive. Magic Johnson was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University from 1977-1979 where he had a phenomenal career and also won the NCAA Tournament where he beat Indiana State and soon to be a NBA Hall of famer Larry Bird. Later, Magic Johnson

However Magic Johnson broke the stereotype and said that he wasn’t gay as well Arthur Ashe during this time period. At the time when Magic announced he was positive, congress passed the Ryan White Care Act which helps fund people living in the United States with AIDS/HIV. This care act was named after Ryan White himself in which he attracted HIV from a contaminated blood treatment. One of Magic’s first encounter was a young girl named Hydeia Broadbent. Hydeia like Magic Johnson himself was HIV positive, but with her she received it through her mother at birth. Hydeia was seven years old when she first met Magic. She felt as if she wasn't normal and was crying her eyes out. Magic Johnson talked to her and made her feel welcomed and told her that everything will be okay. Twenty years later, Hydeia keeps a close relationship with Magic Johnson himself as they both are spokespeople for those going through the same disease He wants the people to know that he is dealing with the same disease that millions of people in the United States are going through today. Letting the people know that he is one of basketball’s greats and it is possible for anyone to be HIV positive. Which is imperative that Magic Johnson is now a spokesman for people to prevent this illness. He wants to teach younger people to have protected sex so you are able to avoid having HIV. Magic wanted the world to know that he is