Tribune staff report | Retired NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson said he was unable to reach a deal to buy Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines, iconic African-American media brands.
Despite “advanced talks,” Johnson said in a statement that, “unfortunately, we were unable to reach a definitive agreement. We will
continue to look for opportunities to invest in African-American media.”
Former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson at a Haiti fundraiser earlier this month. Kevin Winter/Getty Images >>
Johnson, chairman and CEO of Los Angeles-based Magic Johnson
Enterprises, said he saluted Linda Johnson Rice and the Johnson family
for pioneering the magazines.
“Ebony and Jet have been permanent fixtures on coffee tables in African-American homes for many years,” said Johnson.
Smart man. Print is dying.
Good, It is time for these racially divisive publications to come to an end….
Rick, you’re an idiot.
Why are you afraid of me? Ashamed to use your TRUE NAME…. So Sad….
It is a fact that these publications foster hatred and instill the POOR ME MENTALITY…. More Handouts, Etc…
It would be considered RACIST if it were run by Caucasians and called Snow, Etc….
Time for this Racism to end.. YES, It is RACISM….
Why doesn’t Magic Johnson, or some other black person or group, invest in the black community itself. We hear all the timem about a lack of good food sources in the black neighborhoods.
planahead | February 23, 2010 11:23 AM | Reply
Why doesn’t Magic Johnson, or some other black person or group, invest in the black community itself. We hear all the timem about a lack of good food sources in the black neighborhoods.
He does.
I must agree with Rick. If I were to publish a magazine titled “White”, I would be forever vilified and hated. Any business that advertised in that magazine would be boycotted. This is not opinion, everybody knows this is true. My son’s high school is having African American Food awareness week. The school is 94% black. I raised the idea that most of the schools population is probably pretty familiar with african american cuisine and history, and that having food awareness of Itialien, Polish, Russian or Chinese food would be much more diverse and informing. 2, let me repeat 2 parents in attendance called me a racist. For no other reason than my brining up the idea of exposing blacks kids to something other than black cuisine. Racism and segregation do not go together. When it benefits blacks, racism is tolerated and accepted. It is time to stop this. Look at the facts. Ebony is hailed as a milestone, White wold be vilified. My daughters Junior High is rife with inspirational posters of great leaders. At a recent school event, I walked each and every hallway. Each and every person depicted is black. There is not one leader of any other race on the wall. Is this not discrimination. As my daighter is one of 4 non-blacks in her graduating class, does this not consititue discrimination?!
Racism is alive and well. It is now tolerated as it is not blacks being discriminated against.
One more thing. Rick states and opinion, his right under the consitution. The first responder calls him an idiot. The responder could have countered with another opinion, as would be their right under the constitution. They chose to be infantile and use name calling instead. So, who is racist and who is being labled a racist here? I am curious to see who attempts to justify the response.
These magazines are an embarrassment. I once saw a multi-page feature on “Black Inventors of America”. What followed was basically a collection of semi-useful objects made from bent wire (the briefcase holder) and glued together PVC pipe (the handy Casio sling!) I don’t think even Johnson’s magic can save these turkeys!
I meant that “…racism and de-segregation do not go together. My apologies for that typo.
What you all are forgetting is that the title of a paper or magazine means nothing. What is in it is what counts. In the united States every major paper and magazine is owned by White people who tends to portray blacks and other minorities and bad ways, rarely ever reporting on the positive things that minorities achieve. History books, magazines and newspapers are traditionally about whites who has achieved. Leading Whites and blacks to believes that all minorities are bad people. You need books likes Ebony and Jet who will show more positives images, so that minorities will at least have a real view of who we are. Sadly White America who does not have friends of a different culture will continue to read an extremely bias material.
I agree. The material within the publication wasn’t racist at all. I’m willing to bet Rick has never opened an Ebony or Jet magazine. Yes, it is a magazine to discuss black achievements and issues the black community faces. A magazine with a black theme is no more racist than Elle or Cosmopolitan are sexist.
The great thing about these comments is getting to see both sides of an issue. Sometimes you get comments which do neither support or oppose, like the one from 1on1sports, which is so ignorant it actually requires more processing because you realize that there are actually people out there who believe the same thing.
I don’t begrudge Magic wanting to reinvest in the Black communities. However coming from Native American descent I can tell you that any Race in our country who has people leading their movement is lagging way behind in all areas of the U.S.. Stop waiting for others to help and help yourself. African Americans, Native Americans and Hispanics all have people out in front of their movement and every time they move ahead one of the movement leaders moves them back again. Rarely if ever do any other races in this country have the same. That’s why Koreans and East Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Israeli, Middle Easterner, Russian, Greek are thriving in this country. They just go out and do it. If you have not figured out by now that you are the only one who can make or break yourself…than you are doomed to the same insanity you’ve been going through for years.
Rick & Planahead,
It is unfortunate that you fail to see that Ebony/Jet represents a part of African American history. At one point in time, not long ago and for a long period of time, this was the ONLY magazine where African Americans stories were covered in a positive light.
You are clearly speaking on things that you you not know anything about. “preaching hatred and separation?” and the POOR ME mentality?” It would be great if you could produce evidence to support where this magazine has promoted ANY of this throughout its history. I hope adn have fatih that the average white american will be able to see through the bull$&#@ that you are attempting to spin. If they have been guilty of anything it is promoting self empowerment in the black community and trying to promote people of color (beyond athletes and entertainers) as examples of what the younger generation can strive for. While it is fair to question the quality of the magazine…… ok, the feature on “Black Inventors of America” was weak and thin to be honest…to say it promotes hate and a victim mentality clearly comes from someone who knows nothing about the publication and falls into the comfortable trap of Hannity-Beck proclamations of “if it were a white magazaine calling itself Snow…..White” bull. that comment alone suggest that you chose to ignore YOUR OWN AMERICAN HISTORY AND WHY THIS MAGAZINE WAS CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!
Of course, times have changed, . But its historic relevance cannot be understated and the legacy should be preserved if it can.
but that is the sentimental part of me speaking….to that end, the first response by “michael jordan” is more the reality…….”print is dead” or dying, why as a business man should I invest in that? if I do, I am buying it on the cheap. but they still have a base, particularly Ebony, which is why I am sure Magic was taking a look at them in the first place.
as for you planahead, you have embarrassed yourself with your statement. I am not sure if you are simply misinformed or just unaware. Magic (through his Johnson Development Corporation) is and has been investing in black neighborhoods for years. Have you heared of Magic Johnson AMC Theaters? How about his Starbucks chain where he convinced and partnered with the CEOs to place coffee shops in black and latino neighborhoods (his famous business selling line, “don’t you realize black and brown folk drink coffee too?)”. He has done a number of housing development project, mixed-use commercial and retail efforts and genreal investements in black and Latino communities throughout the country. He speaks and promotes the ideal of business development in the inner city at high level business conventions throughout the country.
there are others who are doing the same with youth centers here, business and residential developments there (Warrick Dunn, Troy Vincent and Randall Cunningham to name a few), but the simple fact that you both tend to overlook is that THERE ARE SIMPLY NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO INVEST IN SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGED, HIGHLY TAXED AREAS THORUGHOUT URBAN AMERICA. Unfortunately, the perception is that with all the millions that black athletes make and their high visibility (casue everyone who is playing ball is making LeBron, Kobe, tiger Woods or A-RoD money, right), all it takes is them to come together and they can save all the challenged commuinities in urban america, right? GET REAL! Ten athletes making a combined $400 million dollars over the next 6 years, even if they donated all their earnings are not going to solve the disinvestement problems int he inner-city!
Sorry for the rant, but folks with your menatlity cease to amaze me. do some research, get familiar with the issues and get in touch with reality before you start talking out you a$@.
The great thing about your comment is that you are misinformed and probably has never picked up a Ebony or Jet Magazine.Thats ignorant—Read the books before you comment.
The great thing about your comment is that you are misinformed and probably has never picked up a Ebony or Jet Magazine.Thats ignorant—Read the books before you comment.
there are others who are doing the same with youth centers here, business and residential developments there (Warrick Dunn, Troy Vincent and Randall Cunningham to name a few), but the simple fact that you both tend to overlook is that THERE ARE SIMPLY NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO INVEST IN SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGED, HIGHLY TAXED AREAS THORUGHOUT URBAN AMERICA. Unfortunately, the perception is that with all the millions that black athletes make and their high visibility (casue everyone who is playing ball is making LeBron, Kobe, tiger Woods or A-RoD money, right), all it takes is them to come together and they can save all the challenged commuinities in urban america, right? GET REAL! Ten athletes making a combined $400 million dollars over the next 6 years, even if they donated all their earnings are not going to solve the disinvestement problems int he inner-city!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Your points are well taken and understood. However Know one in this country has invested more in the poor communities than the middle income tax payers and that includes all races.
Since some of you here have decided to JUDGE me without knowing me here is a fact.
My late Grandmother is African ( NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN ) and she felt the same way as I do and that is why I hate RACISM no matter who is spewing it.
When you have magazines devoted SOLELY to a particular race that is RACISM. When the lights are out we are all the same and most have the same desire which is to provide and take care of their family.
And by the way, a late friend was disabled and this white boy cared for her in her home in Morgan Park while all the while being degraded by the punks that lived in the area. I stayed there for a year and she passed away.
“Why are you afraid of me? Ashamed to use your TRUE NAME…. So Sad….
Let me guess, Rick – you’ve had a subscription for years – the whole 60 years that Ebony & Jet have been published, and you know they breed nothing but “hatred”? Yeah…….right.
Ain’t afraid of you. I don’t fear illiteracy. You’re an idiot, and a bigot, and a troglodyte. Time to come up from your parents basement and get some air – or open your trailer park window.
You should have one of your literate friends and relatives wiki Johnson Publishing Company. What they’d read back to you is a Horatio Alger story. That’s why President Ronald Wilson Reagan awarded John Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, you putz.
BTW, companies that make hair care products that are primarily used by black women – are they also “hateful” and “racist”? BTW, almost all of those companies are white-owned, so before you answer the question, ponder it a bit; be careful that your pea-sized brain doesn’t pop.
In the meantime, why don’t you go and get properly teabagged, Rick?
He speaks and promotes the ideal of business development in the inner city at high level business conventions throughout the country
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It’s not a safe investment for others because you still have the wrong people at the lead in front of the cause. What I’m talking about isn’t about Magic it’s about letting people know the reality about where they live and the fact that very few want to help because of the corruption and much more. Let them know that the only way out of this is to make it happen through hard work and dedication. The leaders should have the neighborhood cleaning up the area…teaching them to put the responsibility on themselves. Frankly the Mayors and leaders of all the major cities in this country don’t care if you make it or not as long as they keep getting the dollars to fund their social programs.
It sounds to me your the racist Rick. You’re a real idiot. Read a book! Just not the Jet magazine or Ebony!!!
History lesson, Ebony and Jet were created because at the time, there were ZERO magazines that showed Blacks in a positive light. ZERO, granted times have changed but still in the current media many of the stories are negativfe. Myron Rolle is a Rhodes Scholar and a football player, yet the media does a front page is a athlete gets a DUI. We have a 13 year old black boy in college, again, front page is a story of a assault. The magazines provide balance. Also it is a historial magazine, not racist.
Why doesn’t Magic just start his own magazine?
[[get REAL | February 23, 2010 1:56 PM | but that is the sentimental part of me speaking....to that end, the first response by "michael jordan" is more the reality......."print is dead" or dying, why as a business man should I invest in that?]]
what he’d be buying is a highly recognized but underutilized brand name and a massive archive of photos and stories. the johnson family either feels like it can turn around the ship or they are looking for a big payday to walk away.
i’d love to know how far apart the two sides were at the end of discussions.
I have a problem with Magic representing Rent-A-Center. Rent-A-Center charges people approx. $2,000 for a computer they could buy (if they had cash or conventional credit) for around $600.
RAC takes a risk but really really socks it to people who can least afford to be screwed over. It’s part of that “you deserve it” mentality. “No you don’t… unless you can pay for it!” Magic should not be associated with this shyster organization!
Magic is right for walking away, this magazine’s heyday is long gone and the numbers are tanking.
He backed off because within 12 months they will be bankrupt and he can pick it up for pennies on the dollar.
These magazines died when Mr. Johnson passed.
I have to respond to these obviously ignorant, mal-informed David Duke types. I mean Rick(especially), rob and planahead. It is so sad that they have no sense of reality or history of the U.S.
My gut feel is that they are young white racists responding simply because it is about African-Americans. It is not a bad story about a crime, such as a Bernie Madoff or former Cpt. burge. It is simply a business story that is typically reported as any other story about a media company in trouble(like the Chicago Tribune). I would these the comments by dense racists if the media involved was Polish News, India Times, Francoi, Hoy, Irishabroad, filipino American Community Builder or any other ethnic newspaper or magazine.
This country is in trouble if there are more like this bunch.
This just PROVES that if you are white ( I am actually 1/4 African ) and that if you say anything negative about an ” AFRICAN AMERICAN ” then you are automatically a RACIST however the same AFRICAN AMERICAN call call someone from the KKK a Racist ( Rightfully So. ).. However they are both claiming the same thing.
Should someone be offended by an organization called NAAWP? Yes… Then what is the difference with the NAACP????
I was the last ” WHITE BOY ” in Roseland in 1971. It used to be a beautiful neighborhood.. It went from an area known for Roses to an area known for MURDER. Maybe you can read the paper about the murders for FENGER High School.
Get a life and get off the poor me attitude. The president claims to be black however he is MULATTO and was raised by his WHITE family… He is a great president so far.
All I can say is Rick you’re one of the most ignorant people I have ran across in a long time….if you don’t have anything good to say, keep your trap closed….you’re not racist…..you’re just ignorant and dumb…it shows how uneducated and uninformed you are..
Cat, your right.. When a person calls out a black person they are absolutely a racist yet when it is a black person they are holier than tho…
YOUR NOT A RACIST WHEN YOU TELL THE TRUTH.
I was invited to the Johnson Publishing Suite at Comiskey a few years ago to watch a White Sox game. The folks who entertained us (a group of white twenty-somethings) were absolutely gracious and welcoming people. I in no way ever felt that they were anything else but decent, professional, HUMAN BEINGS. The rhetoric from the comments above are nuts.
I am 48 years old. I am the father of 3 children, one in college, one a senior and the other in eighth grade. I have a BSW and have worked professionally with people with Developmental Disabilities for 25 years. The indivuiduals I work with are of all races, creeds backgrounds etc. I live in an area the is 93% black. My boss is black. The principals and superintendents of both school districts are black. My 2 best friends are black.
So gowster, who is being racist or judgemntal here. You could have made an intelligent, thought provoking retort, but you chose, as most do in this type of discussion, to go with ignorant profling and name calling to hide your inability to debate as an adult. It is racist for my daughter to go to school and see not 1 inspirational poster showing a “non african american”. How would you react if you went to your child’s school and saw only caucasion leaders? It is simple fact that most any other “fair skinned” entity that tried to publish a magazine soley targeting it’s own race would be labeled racist. He had a dream of a land where all people were treated equal without regard to race color or creed. I have read both magazines often over the years. Oppresion of blacks is being propogated by members of your own race like jessie j., al s. et. al. I get along fine with blacks. I do not get along with racists like you.
Magic J. certainly has the branding and financing to begin his own magazine. However, the Ebony and Jet names alone are compelling opportunities for online, merchandising and strategic alliances.
Rick, there is nothing to be afraid of, sir. These publications are part of american society and have never espoused or supported the issues you have brought up. The magazines are a celebration of elements of a culture in this country. The magazines are pro-black, not racist.
Rob, it is great to learn how you have two black friends. As progressive as that may seem to you, it is not enough to see or understand how the anglo-saxon-protestant-caucasion agenda has hundreds of years head start over anything you may perceive as unfair to white people today. Ebony and Jet were created at a time when all entertainment, news, fashion, education, and politics were lily white. These were a much needed resource in black communities throughout the country.
You’ll have to excuse the rest of us who don’t mind seeing a poster in a hallway about recognition of a difficult and hard won war to share a place at the table once so dominated by fearful, cruel people who may have had a black maid they could call their friend, in the privacy of their kitchen.
I have no problem with their being posters of african american leaders. There are many, Andthe kids deserve to see that. My problem is that is all there is. Every single poster, saying etc is from a black. I simply inquired why leaders of all races are not represented. Why children are not given a well rounded experience as to what makes a leader. They can be hispanic, white, Amercian Indian, Asian,Hindu or any other race/creed. Ebony and Jet were created at an appropriate time I agree. My question os when do we start eliminating seperation? When do we begin integrration. If you moved to Wilmette and were at parent/teacher conference nd noticed that there were NO, I repeat NO posters of influencial blacks, would you not be offended and speak up? Look at my post carefully and tell me where I complain about there being psters of blacks. It is not there. I am stating the the school is giving only one type of role model. Regardless of what the color is, is this not racist? I believe it is. I can trace relatives of my Polish heritage that were sent to Germany in WW 2 and shot, gassed and incinerated. I still acknowledge any german greats such as teh Brothers Grimm, Goetha, Thomas Mann etc. There influence and contribution is not lowered because of the horrific fate of my ancestors. It is all about seperation, segregation and narrow sightedness by school professionals.
If you’re still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you’ll know which is right for you.
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by striving to solve this issue instead of shopping at why their can be a problem in the first place. with thanks !?!! quite beneficial publish!