Johnson Says Official Should Quit

Laker guard Magic Johnson has asked for the resignation of a school board member in his hometown of Lansing, Mich., who described him as “a big, dumb black kid” during his school years.

William Carter made the statements during a Sept. 12 board meeting. He said he deeply regretted them but added they were taken out of context, and he will not resign.

Said Johnson, in a statement released by the Lakers: “Not only were his comments hurtful to myself and my family, but especially to the children of Lansing, Mich., if not everywhere. I feel it is inappropriate and dangerous for a man with his ideas and feelings to be in such a powerful and influential public position. Should Mr. Carter choose not to resign, I would ask that the Lansing school board seek a recall election against him immediately.”

Said Carter: “If I was in Magic’s shoes, I guess I would say the same thing. This is an embarrassment for his family. I’ve tried to apologize to everybody that I can conceivably think of. It was a dumb thing to do, a poor choice of words.”

School board President Nancy Erickson reprimanded Carter in a letter Tuesday. She declined comment Wednesday on whether the board would ask for Carter’s resignation. She said a decision could be made after a board meeting today.