Magic: Selling out (movie, commercial, money, famous)

[joyeaux]

I'm appalled: does MJ understand what he's selling?

There's a commercial with Magic Johnson selling "Rent-A-Center".
This is the biggest rip off in the universe!
They're selling air (dreams) to underfunded people (poor)...does he get it?
I hope not -- he's just ripping off people.

The Lord didn't save him for this (don't I sound like a born again? Me!)
Anyone have a direct line? To TL or MJ -- just keeping it real.
Response?

[TominLasVegas]

Selling out or cashing in?

[llowllevellowll]

I agree with the OP. I mean, I'm not offended by it - he just wants a paycheck. But it's clear he's not such a thoughtful man. Rent-A-Center is one step above a Cash Checking business on the morality scale... sigh

[joyeaux]

OK, Tom, you're right...but he's not.

[urban analysis therapist]

Originally Posted by TominLasVegas

Selling out or cashing in?

Selling out. AFAIK, the man's a successful businessman with investments in all sorts of businesses. His most famous, of course, is his chain of movie theaters. So why does he need another paycheck, especially from such a scuzzy company?

For some, it can be said he was selling out when he was selling out with his chain of movie theaters marketed specifically to blacks. One of his strategies was to put more sugar into the soft drinks because blacks supposedly like sweeter drinks. In other words, he may have unwittingly pushed the black obesity levels higher with that move.

Make what you will of that, but you honestly can't say he's absolutely, positively selling out his community by marketing his movie theaters and concessions towards them. After all, he's simply catering to their demands when few other theater owners will.

But by promoting for Rent-A-Center, there is no question that he's selling out his community. If you don't know, Rent-A-Center is basically a "rent-to-own" scam marketed specifically to the poor and minorities. Some may say that the company gives opportunity for poor people to own decent furniture or electronics through the flexibility of multiple payments, but I don't. If you ever "rent-to-own" something from this company, you're going to pay way above MSRP by the time you actually own that piece of furniture.

The company exploits the poor and the stupid into thinking that they can live a middle-class living with nice couches and a modern entertainment system by simply doling out some of their money to the company. I can also go into a whole cultural rant on how poor blacks are pressured to pour money into electronics and nice living rooms instead of saving that money for something more important, but I won't. The point is: Shame on you, Magic Johnson.

[TominLasVegas]

At least he isn't Gene Simmons yet. Can u imagine Magic Johnson coffins???

[noid_1985]

Magic should try being the spokes person for Durex, Trojan, lifestyles, etc etc