MICHAEL JORDAN's unwillingness to discuss social and
political issues was examined by Gare Joyce of the Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, who wrote that Jordan is "an idol to some,"
but to others he "is a fallen hero for not endorsing social
causes." Joyce: "Where does he stand on affirmative action?
On Nike's exploitive sweatshops in East Asia where Air
Jordans are manufactured? Nobody knows. ... It's hard to
miss what was never there, yet Jordan's silence is
conspicuous. We know everything there is to know about him,
except what he believes in and what is in his heart."
Author JOHN HOBERMAN: "He's thoroughly a corporate
phenomenon with no apparent social or political conscience."
Chicago high school basketball player DANNY GRAVES, on
Jordan: "What's Jordan do? Man, he spends all his time
golfing, living high and everything and doing commercials.
Do we like him? No. Do we want to be like Mike? Sure.
Rich and out of here. He sure doesn't want to be like us."
But journalist DAVID HALBERSTAM says he respects Jordan's
right "to not have an agenda." Halberstam: "There are too
many ... celebrities who have opinions and political causes
without a lot to back them up" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/9).
MJ & THE FALK-MAN: In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence reported
that DAVID FALK's sale of FAME is "the first sign that
Michael Jordan is heading for exit." Lawrence added that
Falk's "top money man," CURTIS POLK, was "in disbelief" over
the $120M deal. The Falk group expected to receive "only"
$70M from the sale (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/10).
