In the wake of the deaths of PRINCESS DIANA and MOTHER
TERESA, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES columnist Rick Telander examined
the charitable nature of MICHAEL JORDAN. Telander: "Jordan
works out, makes his commercials, signs his deals, plays his
games, then mainly hides on the golf course. In the realm
of potential sainthood, this is a triple bogey. Where,
critics ask, is Mike's social conscience? How much money
does he need? Why isn't he spending his spare time in
hospitals, war zones and slums, doing good works? ... Why
isn't Jordan more like ... DAVID ROBINSON, who just pledged
... $5 million, to help build a school and civic center in
inner-city San Antonio? Why? ... People should not forget
that Jordan helped build the James Jordan Boys and Girls
Club in Chicago or that he recently gave $1 million to the
School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina.
Nor should they forget that he was attacked by a professor
speaking at winter commencement ceremonies at UNC for not
giving more money to another cause, the Black Cultural
Center. Nobody can please everyone. In the end, you must
please yourself. So the only real question for Jordan is
this: Are you happy with what you see?" (SUN-TIMES, 9/17).
