Rev. Sharpton was right - Michael Jackson DID help pave the way for President Barack Obama

[Empowerer]

They weren't the first black act to "cross over." They weren't the first black group to be played on white radio.

But they were the first black teen idols, which had an enormous impact on an entire generation of African Americans, an impact that helped to open the doors that eventually led to Barack Obama's election.

As a young girl, the only teen idols I could have crushes on were white. And, although I kissed Paul's and Davy's and Bobby's pictures good night each evening, deep down I knew that I was not likely to grow up and marry any of them. I never saw pictures of them in fan magazines, or anywhere else for that matter, with girls or women who looked like me or any of the women in my family. This made me feel sad and unpretty and even a little bit unworthy.

Then, the Jackson 5 came along. And they looked like me. They looked like my friends. They looked like my family. They had broad noses and chocolate brown skin and nappy hair that curled into huge afros, just like my brothers'.

When their faces appeared in fan magazines, I was proud to buy them by the stack. When I wrote letters to Michael, I just knew he really read my letters. When I kissed Michael's picture good night, I believed I had a chance to be his girlfriend. And I felt beautiful and powerful and cool because I really could grow up to marry Michael Jackson.

And my white girlfriends hung their glossy pictures of Michael, Marlon, Jermaine and Tito (sorry, Jackie - you were too old for us) alongside their photos of Paul and Davy and Bobby and Donny. they went with me and my sisters and cousins to see the Jackson 5 in concert - all of us in matching jumpsuits that we knew were so cute that the brothers would see us from the stage and want us to be their girlfriends. And we stood on our chairs and cried and screamed our lungs out every time Michael opened his mouth, or moved his hips or shimmied across the stage because HE WAS SO FINE! And I felt like bursting with pride to see the multi-colored sea of faces and the black, white, brown and yellow hands reaching toward those five brown brothers who looked like me.

I have no doubt that, because of Michael and his brothers, little black girls and little white girls developed healthier, stronger, more positive views about themselves, each other and their place in the world around them. And our brothers and sons and daughters absorbed from us and even took for granted that comfort and self-confidence and helped create a world in which it was not far-fetched to vote for a black man as president.

Michael didn't make me beautiful. But he did help me see that I was. I will always love him for that.

Michael, you did good and you did well. Rest in peace, our precious one.

P.S. I still think you should have married ME - I would have made you really happy . . .

[Oregone]

1. Imagine the votes Obama would of recieved if...

He dyed himself white and cut off all African-American features from his face.


I think Im going to puke. I watched a whole 3 minutes, and 3 minutes too much, of MJ coverage today.

[EffieBlack]

5. Wow - what an incredibly hateful and petty response to a lovely post

[CakeGrrl]

7. Is there something in the water? People are really showing their asses lately.

A lot of hostility in the air.

[Oregone]

9. Sorry, I just don't get some of the credit being given

It seems like he was a man that ended up rejecting everything about being black. And somehow people are claiming he bridged a gap?

Ill give credit to someone like Jimi Hendrix any day over MJ: he was a black man who embraced and infused his ethnicity/history/background into a white dominated genre, to expose a huge audience to his culture. MJ wasn't the first, most definitely. He wasn't the last. He probably wasn't the best. I always perceive some shame in him being black. This could of been merely my perception, but it was based on his actions.

Regardless, I can't take anymore MJ worship so Ill leave it at that.

[Empowerer]

15. All you had to do was watch today's service to see that he never rejected being black

He just rejected the boxes and stereotypes and limits imposed on him by those who sought to define him by his race.

And, for the record, Michael did NOT lighten his skin. He had vitiligo, an incurable skin condition that causes one's skin to gradually lose its pigment. It affects whites and blacks, but, obviously, when a suffered by a black person, the effects are so much more drastic and obvious.

His surgeries were another issue, but the lightening of his skin was something he could not help and caused him considerably pain and sadness that people ridiculed, mocked and judged him based on something over which he had no control.

[goclark]

84. Thank you for your words

I'm African American and I agree with your assessment.

[parasim]

17. But Jimi died at 28.

You have no idea what he may have done beyond that. There is no comparison.

[Colobo]

19. Michael was the most influential black entertainer of his time.

Regardless of vitiligo, lupus and, perhaps, his personal issues with his blackness. Perhaps you can't stand the man, but there's no other black entertainer in the last 100 years that had the worldwide appeal that MJ had and has, Mr. Hendrix included.

[Empowerer]

23. He was the most influential entertainer of his time, period . . .

[Number23]

32. Preach. And it's KILLING some people to recognize that.

Why? I don't have even the first clue.

[Empowerer]

68. Yes - it's very sad. n/t

[AllentownJake]

74. I'll fully recognize he was a great entertainer

However, when I look at the things that influence my life, the people I have met, the people who have made me question what I'm thinking or who I am as a person....they were never entertainers....unless I knew them personally.

[whistler162]

56. If that where true it wouldn't say much for his "time"!

[EffieBlack]

66. Which entertainers do you think were more influential than Michael Jackson in the last 40 years? nt

[maxsolomon]

93. define influential - it's not the same as popular

1969-2009 is a long time.

it contains all of Led Zeppelin, most of Pink Floyd's significant work, all of Prince, all of the Clash, all of Radiohead, etc.

if you mean that MJ's music, esp. Thriller, significantly influenced subsequent music, then FAIL - classic pop R&B has faded hiphop rules the last 2 decades of AA music.

[AllentownJake]

73. Exactly my point

That is all he was. He was an entertainer.

If he entertained you and distracted you from reality for a few minutes and helped you. Good for you.

However, I think part of the problem with our culture is that we reward those who entertain us a little too much and those who actually help us a little too little.

My honest opinion.

[BlooInBloo]

70. Yah - just like Ali was the best black boxer of his time....

DUers make me :rofl:

[progressoid]

29. Yep. Jimi, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Tina Turner, Duke Ellington, Bob Marley,

All had great cross over appeal. FWIW, I see more kids today wearing Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix shirts than MJ shirts.

However MJ did cross over in a larger volume. A Walmart kind of volume.

Sharpton is a preacher and as such tends to over inflate his message for his listeners/congregation.

[NYCGirl]

49. And don't forget Sammy Davis. NT

[Clio the Leo]

38. But what does "being black" mean?

That's up to the individual person to decide. There are as many ways of being black as there are .... well, blacks that be. ;)

Are the white girls who tan their skin, curl their hair and plump their lips not happy with their ethnicity?

Vanity is one of the many human traits that transcends race. (and lest anyone think I'm putting MJ down and calling him vain, I'll gladly admit that vanity is one of the deadly sins that I do best!)

[butterfly77]

92. Being black means...

that they hate you so much that they won't even let you rest in peace while you are in your grave!!!

[parasim]

11. Yes, indeed.

I've seen a lot of hate around here today.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

42. Exactly

This whole deification of MJ has been a lesson in media overkill, Michael Jackson was a great musical artist but he also settled a child molestation civil suit out of court for 22 million dollars. Are we to admire a man that did that? The alleged victim described Jackson's genitalia to investigators and it matched the photos they had of them. I will pass on the admiration of MJ, to me he was a talented man who happened to be a child molester. The media saturation has been disgusting.

[dionysus]

89. do you practise at being this much of a rude jerk, or does it come naturally?

[Butch350]

94. FU!

FU!

[Cha]

2. You sure know how to

write, Empowerer..I love your stuff.

[tabatha]

3. Very nice post.

I know how you felt.

I think that was in addition to the many black people that excelled in sports, too.

All the brothers and sisters that pushed the boundaries to defeat the prejudices.

[akbacchus_BC]

40. Touche. I can never forget all the negative comments when Tiger

won his first game. Made me puke!

[monmouth]

48. For my generation that would be Sammy Davis, Jr....He overcame

many, many obstacles and was an icon in his own way...

[Doremus]

4. K&R - A beautiful post.

Pay no attention to the static.

[CakeGrrl]

6. k/r - very nice.

[flamingdem]

8. Beautiful. Thanks for helping us to get it nt

[Political Tiger]

10. K & R! n/t

[Clio the Leo]

12. And they would have never made it to Motown.....

.... had it not been for Harriet Tubman.

We all climb onto the shoulders of those who came before.

The election of Barack Obama was a group effort, no doubt.

ETA: You'll forgive me, but I found Al's comments to MJ's kids today to be a bit tacky. I'm not in the mood to agree with anything he has to say at the moment.

http://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/45894

[sandnsea]

16. And Michael was an essential member of the group n/t

[Colobo]

21. Harriet, Michael, Barack... all great black individuals who have

lifted the spirits and hopes of an oppressed race. They make me proud.

[Empowerer]

25. I loved what he said to Michael's kids . . .

To each his own, I guess. :-)

[Clio the Leo]

27. I find it highly unlikely.....

.... that his kids thought he was "strange" so why bring it up?

And even if they DID know that the world thought Michael was a bit different, I really doubt they'd care.

That and the allusion to "what your daddy had to deal with..."

I just have this vision of the car ride home and them asking "what did Daddy have to deal with?"

He was using the kids to further this little political cause he's suddenly pushing, and that's a bit icky to me.

[EffieBlack]

31. Rev. Sharpton knew Michael and has spent time with his kids

Accusing Sharpton of trying to further his political cause (what cause would that be, anyway?) is grossly unfair. Michael's family invited him to speak as a family friend. I have no doubt that they were very comfortable with and comforted by his remarks and that he said just what they wanted him to say. And, given their reaction - applause and hugs and kisses - they seemed just fine with it. And their views are the only ones that matter.

And I sincerely doubt Michael's children were in the car wondering "what Daddy had to deal with" since, unless they are complete idiots, they know full well, better than most, just what he had to deal with every day, including being bombarded with talk about how strange he was, whether accurate or not.

I thought Rev. Sharpton's remarks were just right.

[Political Tiger]

34. That's right! Rev Al knew Michael Jackson back when MJ was still just a kid

and still part of the Jackson 5, so they have a long history together.

[Clio the Leo]

36. Sharpton is clearly not pleased with how the press has handled all of this....

..... as his perrogative.

You'll forgive me if I dont think that is something 7, 11 and 12 year old kids need to be concerned with. They already know that their daddy was the best father we could ever imagine ..... everyone in their world should simply agree and offer them a hand to hold on to.

[EffieBlack]

61. People always say things at funerals that the deceased's loved ones already know

Everyone at yesterday's service said things that Michael's family and friends knew. But funerals offer the opportunity to reinforce those known things, which brings great comfort to the bereaved.

Judging by the reaction of Michael's family - who stood and applauded when Sharpton made that comment - they truly appreciated what he said. I think it's unfair to criticize him for saying it - especially since everyone who spoke at the funeral said things his family already knows.

[cyndensco]

55. I did too.

I think he was telling MJ's children their father was a product of his unusual environment. Hopefully the kids will embrace that sentiment and not be swayed by the negative press they will hear throughout their lives.

Actually, I agree with much of what Rev. Al says. While many consider him a media-driven opportunist, I am thankful he is devoted to exposing injustice. I think we need him.

[politicasista]

72. It needed to be said

I liked what he said too. I thought he was only reinforcing them that their father did some good on earth despite his "eccentric" lifestyle. They have had to listen to their father's name dragged through the mud non-stop (by the MSM) the last 2 1/2 weeks.

[sandnsea]

13. Yep. With 12 year old white girls

the question was usually Michael or Donny. I don't remember my mother ever mentioning that she swooned equally between Elvis and Little Richard, although she was a huge Little Richard fan.

[OhioBlue]

14. very nice post.

I'm white, grew up in a very rural, white area. I don't remember the Jackson 5, but I do remember the MJ Thriller days. I had a pic of him on my wall and my cousins and I tried to master the "moon walk" many times.

I will admit - I grew out of my MJ days. I won't go into details... as they've been debated enough.

But....... in the early 80's as a young pre-teen... MJ and Kirk Cameron were the only celebs on my wall. His passing, does tend to bring back memories from my youth. Fun times. We all had a favorite MJ song. We had a small B&W TV in our bedroom and I always used to stay up to watch the Music awards shows back then.

[Catherine Vincent]

18. And here I thought I was the only one for Michael!

Excellent tribute to our first crush, Michael Jackson!

RIP, my sweet brother.

[Colobo]

20. What a beautiful, fine post..

As a black Latin American male who has also struggled with the Eurocentric standards of beauty of the region, I understand every word you are saying... my mom and my aunts felt the same way you did growing up, and Michael meant for them what he meant to you.

[Number23]

33. People of color all over the world hear you.

As a black Latin American male who has also struggled with the Eurocentric standards of beauty of the region

And we all know this struggle. Particularly people of color in Western countries. Where round backsides, brown skin, full lips, dark hair etc. are nice but never quite as beautiful/pure/desired as the characteristics of the lighter-skinned amongst us.

This is why we celebrate our own so intensely. And I hope that never changes, no matter how hard some protest and desire to focus only on the negative.

ETA: And I can't believe I forgot my invitation to join us in AAIG! http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=258 :blush: Love for you to come and hang out with us. I feel like I've invited half of DU to our little group. :)

[Colobo]

35. Thanks for the invitation, Number!

I'll be more than glad to join, and yes- we do need to celebrate who we are as a people and what we have accomplished, despite all the abuse we have taken for generations...

[BrklynLiberal]

22. MJ's videos were the first videos by a black performer that ever played on MTV.

He had a sad and lonely, and in some cases he made bad decisions....but there is no way one can diminish or deny his talent. He was a genius...and that has been confirmed by other musical geniuses.

The story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

the video
http://vodpod.com/watch/1871287-michael-jackson-we-are-the-world-official-music-video
http://vodpod.com/watch/1812828-michael-jackson-we-are-the-world

[Triana]

24. VERY nice...

..I really like this:

"Michael didn't make me beautiful. But he did help me see that I was. I will always love him for that."

WOW!

[Lisa0825]

26. Beautiful post..... I was not a fan (I was more of a headbanger and dissed pop and R&B) but

now with time gone by and a different perspective, I can really understand the impact he made. He didn't make it directly on me, but he had an impact on enough people in the world and specifically in this country that it does affect me. The fact they he affected you and countless others in a positive way is likely his greatest contribution, far beyond the entertainment value of his performances.

[HopeOverFear]

28. AMEN!

[Starry Messenger]

30. I always love your posts Empowerer.

:thumbsup:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

37. K&R That was beautiful

Thank you. I couldn't have said it better myself :yourock:

[akbacchus_BC]

39. K&R for a beautiful post and welcome to DU. He was truly an

icon of pop music and dance. RIP Michael with lots of love.

[AllentownJake]

41. I'm glad you took something positive from his life

Maybe because I'm 30 the only thing I see is the creepy billionaire who disfigured himself built an amusement park in his backyard, constantly felt he was above the law, hung out with little boys, spent money on useless things and bragged about it on TV. Than ended up in near bankruptcy from his behavior. The man probably died of a drug overdose because he couldn't seek help or exorcise his own demons.

The fact that there was a near state funeral for this type of person, makes me want to vomit a little, I don't care what his race was.

I wasn't around for the Jackson 5 or the world that existed at that time. Maybe if I was, I'd have a different opinion.

[Boomerang Diddle]

45. Too bad he wasn't perfect, eh?

I've never met one person who was perfect and who didn't fuck up in life at least once or twice - most of us have fucked up many, many times, but deep down, despite all our flaws, there lies a human being, a person who somebody loved and cherished.

Hopefully when you die, those who knew you will be willing to do what you seem incapable or unwilling to do, and that is remembering the good in you instead of focusing only on the bad.

[AllentownJake]

46. There is a difference between being not-perfect and being a total fuck up

and a blight on humanity.

The man to me is a symbol of everything that went wrong with this country. Seeing images from his state-like funeral makes me want to vomit.

He could dance and sing and we turned him into a God. Occasionally he paid lip service to things while dressing a chimp in diapers and disfiguring himself. He probably was a pedophile (Men who build amusement parks in their private back yard are either looking for single moms or children).

We excuse this because he had supposedly a bad father. Fuck that. Lots of people have bad fathers.

The man would walk into stores and buy the entire store and than just store it in a warehouse somewhere.

He made thriller, which was a nice song. Other than that he was a disgusting human being and a waste.

However he did make a few nice songs so he deserved a billion dollars and the ability to molest children and spend money on useless bullshit.

What the hell is the difference between this guy and Rush Limbaugh other than they entertain different people?

Fuck Michael Jackson.

[Boomerang Diddle]

47. You're only 30 and already this bitter?

You must be a joy to hang out with.................:banghead:

[AllentownJake]

52. Common Sense

Honestly, I see no difference between him and Rush Limbaugh. They entertain people and encourage bad behavior in our society and are rewarded for it.

When you reward bad behavior you get more bad behavior.

Nothing about this man's life should be honored or encouraged.

[EffieBlack]

59. The fact that you see no difference between Michael Jackson and Rush Limbaugh says much more about

you than it does about Michael. The fact that you would even admit to such ignorance speaks volumes.

[Empowerer]

51. IThe worldwide reaction to his life and death

should have shown you that he was not a "fuck up."

You can say or think what you want to about Michael Jackson, but he was never as judgmental and nasty toward anyone as you are being toward him.

At first, I attributed your attitude to the fact that you are so young and just don't know any better. But as I read further, I was appalled by your mean-spiritness, lack of grace or compassion and the downright ugliness of your post - none of which can be blamed on mere ignorance.

Michael Jackson may have spent a lot of money (but never anything close to what he made, he was NOT almost bankrupt), but he also gave away hundreds of millions of dollars of his fortune to charity.

He may have made some bad decisions in his life, but he was also a deeply sensitive person who, despite the unbelievable cruelty of people like you who didn't even know him yet felt it their right to mock, attack and denigrate him at will, continued to hold his head high and who I doubt ever once in his life said anything as hateful and vicious about anyone as you have written about him.
He may have seemed odd, but unless you walked in his shoes, your sanctimonious judgment of him rings hollow.

And, yes, he may have been different, and made mistakes, and been all-too-human, but when he died, friends who had known him intimately for 40 years wept openly, those of us who felt we knew him felt our hearts break and his brave, beautiful little daughter, who knew him better than any of us, stood on a stage in front of a billion people and told us that he was the best Daddy in the world.

No one is asking you to love Michael Jackson. But if that's not enough to at least tamp down your judgment and cruelty for at least a full day after the man's funeral then I feel sorry for you. You have a lot of work to do on yourself before you lecture the rest of us on the failings of Michael Jackson.

[AllentownJake]

53. I seem to remember him

in one of his videos him having giant statues of himself. That tells me what Michael Jackson, thought about Michael Jackson.

Judgement and cruelty. Everything I wrote was true. How is truth judgement and cruelty.

The man could dance and sing. He was an entertainer. People in our country value being entertained more than they value anything else.

The man was nice to his kids and his friends. Give him a parade.

[Number23]

69. Thank you, Empowerer. Every word of your post is true.

Reading this crap from people makes Marlon's statement of "Michael, maybe now they will finally leave you alone" that much easier to understand and honestly, that much more sad.

[BeyondGeography]

63. More proof that Allentown is a depressing place

:thumbsdown:

[EffieBlack]

65. Wow

What did Michael Jackson ever do to you to gin up so much hate in your heart for him.

It must be miserable to harbor such venom toward someone you don't even know.

[Number23]

67. "Fuck Michael Jackson."

Why come in here with your bullshit? This is a positive post. If you do not share these feelings, why not just go piss on another thread?

You acknowledge that you do not share Empower's history or understanding of why she feels the way that she feels about Michael Jackson. And yet, somehow you STILL feel the need to tell her and everybody else that the way they feel about someone is "wrong" and "Fuck Michael Jackson."

You have issues. Why don't you work them out somewhere else instead of being a hateful ass in what is a very positive, very nice thread for a person who is now dead?

[AllentownJake]

71. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=210x27889

[phoenixriz]

76. Empowere, thank you for your beautiful memories.

There are so many things that I could address in this comment section but I will just mention a few.

I am white, I am 67 and I am a grandmother of biracial children and a black son-in-law. With all my heart, I believe my grandchildren are the most beautiful of all God's children and I never fail to tell them that.

I think that Michel Jackson was a genius and had a pure soul. I won't argue about the things that he has been accused on because my mind is made up.

My father-in-law, a white man with always a beautiful suntan colored natural skin developed vitiligo and it is amazing what happened as he grew older his face and skin was whiter than his hair. It was very sad. True story. So I can believe that Micheal had the same problem and if you read up about it, it is much harder on African Americans because there comes a time when they may have to choose pasty white skin to even out the blotches which is very painful to endure since they are proud of their black heritage and should be.



How could anyone call Michael Jackson a "Waste on Humanity" when the House of Representatives honored Michel with
House Resolution:600 (It is very lengthy and goes into great detail but I will just mention the last part.]

Whereas the Millennium Issue of the `Guinness Book Of Records' named Michael as `the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations';

Whereas in 2004, The African Ambassadors' Spouses Association, honored Michael Jackson for his worldwide humanitarian efforts, due to his fiscal contribution of more than $50 million to various charities, including many organizations that feed the hungry in Africa; and

Whereas we today mourn with and send our condolences to the children that Michael Jackson left behind: Prince Michael, Paris Michael, and Prince Michael II and his mother, father, brothers, and sisters: Now, therefore, be it


Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes Michael Jackson as a global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises; and

(2) celebrates Michael Jackson as an accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security.

[lamp_shade]

43. What a beautiful, heartfelt post. Thank you.

[Boomerang Diddle]

44. K & R!

:fistbump:

[wyldwolf]

50. Michael Jackson, according to legend, was the first black artist played on MTV

Though a better description would be the first non-Rock black artist to get heavy rotation. The story I heard was MTV had a policy against black artists by having a "rock only" rule.

At least, that's the how I recall it.

[Empowerer]

54. The "non-rock" rule was a crock

They characterized artists by race, not genre. White artists, no matter what they played, were generally categorized as rock or pop. Blacl artists, regardless what they played, were pigeonholed as r&b or soul. So the Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, although pure pop, while Eric Clapton, could get played.

They would never say they weren't playing black artists. They just said they didn't play r&b and then stuck all black artists into that category.

Michael Jackson broke that barrier. Never again were black artists automatically pigeonholed and trapped into the less lucrtative r&b ghetto.

[beachmom]

58. I guess the question is whether Eddy Grant got MTV play first?

Fun to see that video again:

http://lineout.thestranger.com/2007/12/electric_avenue_by_eddie_grant

To be fair, Billie Jean is a MUCH BETTER video, though.

[Holly_Hobby]

57. Bill Clinton says MJ saved the Democratic party with fund raising

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=132&topic_id=8516341&mesg_id=8516341

[Leo The Cleo]

64. Many Things Contributed

There is no doubt that the perception of blacks has changed throughout the years. There is no way to measure how large the effect of athletes and musicians are on those perceptions. The fact that the most recognizable person in the world was Micheal Jackson isn't anything to laugh at. That fact that two of the most recognizable faces in baseball were Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente (two black men) surely doesn't hurt public perception. Muhammad Ali being the most recognizable image in boxing is another factor that helps. Dr. King is one of the most celebrated American figures and global figures. People go for things they know, admire, like and appreciate. Sure MJ helped Obama. Every building needs a foundation.

[beachmom]

85. Correct link here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Bill-Clinton-recalls-Jackson-apf-3985513396.html?x=0&.v=1

GONAIVES, Haiti (AP) -- Bill Clinton paused during an aid mission to Haiti on Tuesday to honor Michael Jackson for helping the Democratic Party raise cash at a crucial time.

The former U.S. president, now a special U.N. envoy to Haiti, recalled Jackson's performance at a 2002 fundraiser at New York's Apollo theater.

"He basically helped save my party from terrible financial distress, so he was very kind to me personally," Clinton said during a stop on his tour of a still-struggling northern Haiti, where floods killed several hundred people last year.

[The Backlash Cometh]

60. Sharpton's speech was his finest hour.

[treestar]

62. I think it was Jessie Jackson, when asked on Inauguration Day

about how it was possible to have a black President - Jessie Jackson said that the white people had changed. There were enough of them to vote for the person without regard to race, even though they are still a big chunk of the population.

As to entertainers it had already been so for a few decades - the white people were no longer racists in big enough numbers to marginalize talented black entertainers as only for black people. The Jackson 5 and others contributed to it. Everyone appreciated their talents, not just their own race.

Not to say there is no white racism left, but it has eroded steadily. To the point where we have a black President!

[incapsulated]

75. NO

Look, I grew up with the Jackson 5, too.

If you think some pop singer made Obama possible you are ignoring so much it is scary.

[phoenixriz]

77. It's the domino effect

We didn't go from Jackson 5 directly to Barack Obama. It was the domino effect wheres you have barriers breaking down with each generation and the entertainment and sporting industry had a lot to do with it but wait......

The most powerful politician in the world is Black.
Barack Obama

The head of the Republican National Committee is Black.
Michael Steele

The best known media mogul on earth is Black.
Oprah Winfrey

The greatest golfer in the world is Black.
Tiger Woods

The top female tennis players in the world are Black.
Venus and Serena Williams

The highest grossing actor worldwide is Black.
Will Smith

The fastest racing driver in the world is Black.
Lewis Hamilton

The brightest Astrophysicist under the sun is Black.
Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Superbowl-winning Head Coach is Black.
Mike Tomlin

The most successful brain surgeon in the world is Black.
Ben Carson M.D.

The fastest human on the planet is Black.
Usain Bolt

Quite a domino effect.

[AllentownJake]

78. I'd like to focus on the Astrophysicist

doctors, nurses, teachers, law professors, judges, inventors, etc...more than the sport stars and entertainers.

[crimsonblue]

79. give me a fucking break....

I'm sick of this Michael Jackson orgy. He's dead. Deal with it.

[Empowerer]

80. The fact that people all over the world are paying tribute to Michael Jackson obviously has you

pretty upset.

Perhaps YOU need to get over it. The rest of us are doing just fine.

[crimsonblue]

81. I'm not upset at all..

Just trying to figure out why people give so much more credence to the life of a singer than they do a person who provides an actual benefit to society. Is Michael Jackson's life all that more important than the anonymous people surrounding us?

[hangonjustaminute]

82. Really.

MJ was no MLK, Malcolm, Huey; he was a fucking entertainer, period. The application of sainthood to a pop star is mind boggling.

[Empowerer]

83. I have yet to hear anyone apply sainthood to Michael Jackson or say he was another MLK

But the imposition of sainthood on Dr. King by you and others is just as - even more - mind-boggling.

Dr. King was a great and good man, but he was not a saint. He was a man. The revisiionist attempts to elevate him to the status of a saint not only diminishes the work and accomplishments of countless others who contributed to the cause in large and small ways - including Michael Jackson - it diminishes and demeans Dr. King himself.

It is Dr. King's very ordinariness that makes his life and work worthy of note. It's no big deal for a saint to do what he did. It is, however, remarkable for an ordinary man - a man with flaws and faults and fears - to do it.

The same can be said about Michael Jackson. He was an ordinary man blessed with an extraordinary talent. He used that talent for enormous good, much more than he needed to and usually without any fanfare or credit. He also, sadly, made some terrible mistakes for which he paid a terrible price. But that does not take away from the good he did - good so impactful that even Dr. King's own children held him up in honor and prayer and thanks. They certainly didn't seem to be confused or unhappy about the reaction to his death and, in fact, joined in the tributes. Given that, your concern about Michael somehow being compared to their father is misplaced, at best.

So please spare us the "So and so was no MLK" strawman.aimed at dismissing and demeaning the accomplishments of others. Of course Michael was no MLK. No one was, is or will be. But MLK was no Michael Jackson either - and no one else was, is or ever will be.

[ellacott]

87. Very well said

Also, MLK wasn't MLK until he died. MLK didn't get a lot of support when he was alive. It's revisionist history to make him to be the beloved activist. He was a thorn in the side to many in this country.

[NatBurner]

91. this was great

u have SO much more patience than i do

me? i generally rebut this kind of foolishness with pithy sarcasm

but yeah

thanks for this reply (the whole post, actually)

[Empowerer]

96. Thanks. :-)

[gauguin57]

86. I was one of the white girls for whom the Jacksons were my first African-American pinup boys.

I was just thinking about that very thing the other day -- that all my celebrity crushes had been white up until the Jackson 5. When they hit the scene, they shared equal space on my pink bedroom walls with Donny Osmond (and Cher, whom I aspired to be).

Jermaine was my big crush, though. I had come to be afraid that Donny Osmond might not marry me because I wasn't a Mormon. So I thought maybe I'd have a better shot with Jermaine (LOL!). I kind of had a crush on Marlon, as well, since he was closest to me in age. I thought Michael was cute and talented, but he was never my big crush.

Yes, the coverage has been overkill. Yes, Michael mutilated himself and turned into a sad, drug-addicted eccentric (and probably something darker).

But the other day, I did watch most of the memorial service, and looked at those 50something Jackson men in the front row, and "remembered the time" when I first fell in love with a group of adorable, talented African-American boys. And the walls of my room -- quietly, naturally -- became integrated.

[Empowerer]

88. Well and so beautifully said!

Your comment about watching the Jackson men put a lump in my throat - I had the same feeling. Perhaps because I've grown up and older along with them, I never really noticed that they had aged. But watching them the other day, I saw them, as you did, as 50-something-year-old men and realized that we had all gotten older.

Seeing them mourn their brother in their matching suits and ties - of course, the Jackson 5 would be properly and similarly attired - and holding it together under the most painful and emotional of circumstances - made me feel that a piece of my childhood that I didn't know was still there had died with Michael. But the memories also have been coming back and they are wonderful, aren't they?

[Vidar]

90. I'm not a Sharpton fan, but of course he helped pave the way.

[Butch350]

95. F**k that turd Oregone.

He just goes from post to post, no mater what the subject is and just spews the tasteless sarcasm.

How are things going in mom's basement.