I'm going to ask this question even though I'm pretty sure I'll take heat for it.
I have to ask, because I pride myself on having the nerve to ask questions very few others will dare.
Yesterday, Al Sharpton appeared with the parents of Michael Jackson to discuss the divvying up of the late king of pop's estate. I looked at Michael's parents once again, and I have to ask this question.
Why did Michael Jackson have a medical procedure to make himself look like a white man? And why have champions of equal justice for African Americans such as Mr. Sharpton not been critical of it?
Was Michael ashamed to be a black man?
Nobody is denying Michael's immense success, or his talent (if you like his form of song and dance). Nobody is denying his right to it.
But I'm going to ask.
Jackson was old enough to have grown up in the 1960s when African Americans had to resort to protest, and in some cases violence (and no, I'm not advocating violence. I'm a fan of M.L. King/Gandhi-style non-V), to show white Americans that the country was racist. Much of it still is.
So, I'm working my nerve up. Here I go. Why is it, when black militants were chanting "I'm black and I'm proud," Michael seemed to be saying, "I'm up tight and I wanna' be white?"
Was it not cool to be black?
Why did Michael Jackson alter his skin color and medically change who he was? He also had his hair straightened. At the end of his life, he looked sort of like a deathly pale figure of the grim reaper, that figurative skeleton with the sickle who represents death.
Why have black leaders such as Sharpton never questioned the motivation behind this?
It's everybody right, after all, to have a nose job, or dye their hair, or have breast implant.
But I'll ask again. During a time when it was important to be black and to be proud of it, recognizing the achievements of African Americans that go beyond just sports. Recognizing that he would serve as a figurehead of success, he turned himself (using his millions to pay for it) into an imitation white man. Why?
Did he want to look like Mick Jagger?
Is being born black not good enough for you?
Obviously, Michael isn't around to answer that. I don't think he would even if he was.
No black performer, not Sam Cooke, not James Brown, or even Sammy Davis, ever had his skin color changed.
I'm the first one to admit there might be more here than meets the eye and maybe something went right over my head. But I'm pretty certain Michael looked a lot whiter at the end than he did at the beginning.
Perhaps Mr. Sharpton with his gift of eloquence can answer that. He usually has an answer for just about everything.
Phyllis Diller had three hundred face lifts and I'm not faulting Michael's right to use his own money the way he sees fit. But at a time when African Americans needed all the role models they could get, why the white skin graft?
How was this procedure done?
I'm interested to hear from readers what they think. Al, it's in your corner.
Michael claimed to have (and was diagnosed with) a skin condition vitiligo which causes lightening of the skin, although typically in a blotchy manner (which he would then have masked using foundation make-up presumably for a smooth look).
Many dispute this and say that he used bleaching creams to lighten his skin.
I don't know what the truth is, it may be either of the above, or a combination of both of them.
Of course, the possible reasons for the whitening of his skin do not account for the changes to the shape of his nose and chin.
I think Michael had severe issues, possibly relating to his abuse at the hands of his father. Perhaps these made him want to move away from his African-American roots, perhaps not.
As far as I know, Michael Jackson always denied any attempt to "hide his blackness". You mention the 60s, but Michael Jackson looked "obviously African American" well into the 80s, despite obviously having had some surgery.
Dear Ben - I don't disagree with what you say. But I think the decision was more of a status-based one, based on yearning, rather than just treating a skin condition.
Re-shaping the nose is a key hint.
As an example, there is an almost overwhelming human urge when one hits it big to replace their old friends with new ones, friends who are richer and more glamorous, like you yourself have now become. Now, your buddy is Elizabeth Taylor. You don't need ol' loser what-was-his-name anymore. You've got Liz
Likewise, you move to a bigger house, much bigger than you need, to relfect your new sense of self-importance and ego. You move to a richer neighborhood to reflect your new status.
Jackson wasn't an adult during the (Civil Rights) 1960s, but he had to be vaguely aware of this recent history nonetheless. Maybe not.
I think Jackson yearned to (and it's his right to do so) look white like the superstars he evidently idolized as a child, Bridget Bardot, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Taylor. I think being black wasn't cool to him.
» left by Avis Ward from SC (118 days 7 hours ago.)
I saw one interview given by Michael that possibly explained why he wanted to be white. Growing up black in America, I can wrap my mind around why a boy would want to be white. A boy was irrevocably scarred by the names he was called even by his own father. Sticks and stones may break my bones and calling me names does hurt me. I believe this boys conscious was severely damaged until he wanted to be anything else but who he was, Peter Pan, even.
Even with his fame and fortune, he knew being black, ask Oprah, still came with burdens. They were burdens that the white and rich did not have.
As far as his nose is concerned, he needed a nose job as do many others I've seen, black or white.
My mother had vitiligo so I understand about that. She was thankful it never appeared on her face. Even the lips are affected, hence the lipstick Michael wore.
I have to go with Sen. Robert Kennedy, you have to ask, "why?" I have to ask, "why not?" I believe people should mind their own business. We as a society, meddle far too much into the affairs of others. Journalism has been plunged into to tabloid gossip because of it. The days of good reporting of the news are gone with the wind.
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (115 days 23 hours ago.)
Well John. With my rare knowledge I can assure you that Michael was not trying to be white. It also shows your lack of knowledge of different cultures and we are here in America together. Our race comes in many colors. I guess if you were around blacks more in association you would not have to ask, Why? Michael's skin could have easily contain pigments that some may say, Creole. For the rest, as it seems to be torturing you, take heed ye stand, lest ye fall. My mother use to say that and it meant, Worrying about someone else can make your faults appear. Let the man rest in peace. I am sure you are not on his mind. Your contributions will never compare to Michaels.
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