The Giant!

Dr. Nolan Johnson.  The name doesn’t resonate for many these days.  But, it’s a name attached to some of the most influential people in American history.

Nolan Johnson first found fame with me ten years ago in a classroom full of five- and six-year old students.  Benchley-Weinberger was having its annual “Career Day,” and one of my first grade students, Alexa, asked if her grandpa could come in and talk with the class.  I told Alexa it would be our honor to have her grandfather come join us and share what he did for a job.  Little did I know the Greatness that would walk into Room 9 that morning.  Stooping to enter the classroom, a giant of a man sauntered over to me to introduce himself. 

“My name is Nolan Johnson.  Alexa is my granddaughter.”  His immense hand swallowed mine with a firm, but gentle handshake. 

Nolan Johnson sat in an adjustable office chair at the front of the classroom and lowered the seat as far down as it could go, to get on an even level with the students.  It was quite a scene to behold.  Dr. Johnson stands at least six foot eight inches.  But, Nolan’s manner was mild and unintimidating as he engaged with each of the students.  Our visitor told the kids all about being a physician and the joy he got out of helping others get better. 

One of the students asked Dr. Johnson if he played basketball.  He responded that he used to play.  Then Nolan added he played at UCLA, for the legendary John Wooden! 

Another child asked why Alexa didn’t look like her grandfather.  With a smile, Nolan said that his wife was white and that they had married at a time when black people and white people rarely married.  No one batted an eyelash at this remark, and the questions shifted to other areas of interest.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure to get to know Dr. Nolan Johnson better, and have learned much about him.  More amazing than playing basketball for John Wooden at UCLA was that Nolan was a ground-breaking civil rights activist.  He marched in Memphis with Dr. Martin Luther King and participated in the lunch counter sit-ins, often subjected to racial insults and physical abuse.  He also was one of the first African-Americans to practice medicine in San Diego.

Nolan has never come across as self-important, although he definitely could if he wanted.  But, Nolan remains humble and kind and ever-so-willing to get eye-to-eye with anyone he meets, even five- and six-year olds.  Every year, Nolan would invite me to come down to his vacation house in Mexico and share stories and cigars.  I never did make it to Baja, and I greatly regret it.  Nolan has always had a special place in his heart for me.  I, too, continue to hold him dear.

I am very grateful for knowing Dr. Nolan Johnson.  He is a man who has made everyone he met feel better about who we are.  And, it’s this attribute that makes Nolan the giant he is.