The former Los Angeles Lakers point guard retired immediately, and he became a spokesperson for the disease, a virus that had widespread stigma attached to it and was relatively new to the population, often labeled as a “gay” or “drug-abuse” type of infection. Some even viewed Johnson’s diagnosis as a death sentence.
He would go on and continue to play NBA basketball a few months later in the league’s All-Star Game and in the summer for Team U.S.A.’s basketball squad, dubbed the “Dream Team.”
Both discrimination and praise followed Johnson in the wake of his announcement— many players, such as Utah Jazz power forward Karl Malone, refused to play with him because of fear of infection, and others, such as U.S. President George H.W. Bush, called him a hero.
But, arguably, no one suffered more than Johnson’s wife, Cookie.
On Dec. 10, the Long Beach Ministers Alliance presented a book-signing event at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library with Cookie, author of her recent memoir, Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith, which details her personal battle in the aftermath of Johnson’s diagnosis. The couple celebrated 25 years of marriage in September— and 25 years since Johnson’s announcement.
“I think back to 1991 […] and how I thought my whole world crashed at that moment,” she said during the event. “When I think back to that moment and the way the world was with that stigma around HIV and AIDS and how people thought that you couldn’t touch people or couldn’t hug people or kiss people or even be in the same room— it was such a trying time. And look at where we are today. We are living in God’s miracle, and that needs to be told.”
Gregory Sanders, senior pastor at Rock Christian Fellowship Church, and Steven Neal, pastor at LIFE Gospel Ministries and former Long Beach 9th district councilmember, encouraged the crowd to purchase a copy of Cookie’s book. Church members “sponsored” people in the crowd for those who couldn’t afford it.
“The purpose today is to make empowerment portable,” Sanders said. “And that we’re not just consumers but producers of hope for our future generation. The best way to do that is to share this message— not just be a taker, but share it.”
Cookie first learned of the HIV diagnosis in a phone call from Johnson, who admitted to being unfaithful to her. Cookie, who was pregnant at the time, was filled with uncertainty with the disease. She said she didn’t know how long he would live, and she wasn’t sure if she was infected, as well. It was later revealed that she was negative.
They both prayed together in person for strength. Cookie said Johnson told her he would understand if she chose to leave him, and that’s when she slapped him.
“I was faced with two choices— I could leave and let him die, or I can stay and help him live,” she said. “We started educating ourselves about the disease and what we could to do to help him live a better life. And it was about making sure […] we were healthy too.”
She said negative thoughts would occasionally fill her head— thoughts from the devil that would say, “He’s going to die. He’s going to die.” But Cookie said she took that fear and turned it into faith.
“That faith carried us through to now,” she said, “and I felt like it was [Johnson’s] purpose to be the face of the disease and help as many people as possible.”
In her book, Cookie also goes into detail about her denim company CJ, her adopted daughter Elisa and other life choices she has made.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-15-at-1.59.14-PM.png” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA hall of famer Magic Johnson and author of Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith, signed copies of her memoir for those who attended her discussion on Dec. 10 at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library about her struggle with Magic and his HIV diagnosis 25 years ago.” captionposition=”right” revealfx=”off”] Rhonda Love, executive assistant and scheduler with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s office, on behalf of the mayor, presented Cookie with a certificate of distinguished achievement within the community for discussing her story in Long Beach after the event.
Cookie expressed gratitude, and she complimented the city and the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, calling it beautiful and added how she hopes that Obama will one day make a visit to the facility.
Cookie also gave a copy of the book to Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, who gave brief remarks earlier in the presentation. She later signed copies of her book for all of those in attendance.
Cookie answered a few questions from the crowd, as well. One man in attendance inquired about how the community has adjusted to AIDS and HIV 25 years later.
She said people are more informed about the disease and the medication has vastly improved, but some stigmas still need to be addressed, particularly in faith-based communities that still feel it’s a “gay” virus.
Another man in the audience asked about Cookie’s process of forgiveness to Johnson. She said the decision to forgive her husband came easily because she was focused on the possibility of him dying, and she invested her energy into his health because she loved him. She added how God helped her understand that forgiveness is powerful.
“You have to forgive people, even when you don’t want to, because it’s actually for you,” Cookie said. “If you keep hating them for whatever it is, you’re always going to be upset. You’re never going to be settled. You’re always going to start fights. You have to forgive for you first. And I had to learn that […] and that gives you peace.”
