is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

[KOPV]

this has always been a contraversal topic. It goes deeper than the music, deeper than A LOT mentioned. I have seen "black" artists, and various people say Michael neglects the fact he's black.. And this was before Michael's skin was light.. So it was not driven by his appearance, but other things..

But I do FIRMLY believe and KNOW he is well aware, and well acknowledges black history, black culture.... HE'S A PROUD BLACK MAN..

[olivia]

Well he spoke out against the music industry in 2001 and he was mainly protesting against their treatment of Black artists. He, Sharpton, and Johnnie Cochran were to form a coalition. At that time he talked about how the Great Black artists (pioneers) are excluded from history books. At that time I remember Al Sharpton speaking on MJ's concerns for 'Black problems' and that MJ is one of the first to call and donate money when racial injustice occurs. He gave the example of the NY man who was viciously sodomized by the cops years back. Sharpton said Mike was the first to call him offering his assistance and money.
In 1998, Michael was to team up with a wealthy businessman to get a casino business in Detroit. He spoke about ownership and how we need to become 'owners'. I remember him speaking about this (speaking to Black people). The deal fell through unfortunately.
There was (and maybe to this day) a Michael Jackson NAACP scholarship for needy students.
He's worked on African projects with Mandela. And his future plans are to build a theme park in Africa. I so hope this materializes.
I believe Michael Jackson is a very aware black man and does a lot that we never hear about.

[MsTenda]

Does anyone have the transcripts of Michael speaking with Jesse Jackson - around 2004/2005? Michael made very socially conscious remarks about being black and persecuted. If anyone for one moment forgot that this man is black, please take a moment to listen to that interview.

Michael is militant, black and very socially aware.

[eternitys_child]

Anyone who went beyond the pictures in Ebony will find that one of Michael's statements about S. Africa is used in an article in the magazine intended to promote black pride. He is speaking about the part that is right, not the part that is struggling that we already hear so much about. Take that as you wish.

[SeanK]

I think Michael is totally aware. I tyhink he does so much more than what is even publicized... I know that just what is publicized is more than most any other artist ever.

I know when I saw Mike in Gary 2003, he was relaxed and so comfortable amongst his own people. It shined right through him. He was so vibrant and energetic... stood tall, like to relay "these are mah peeps". It was classic. You had to be there.

Read, research... there are too many, many, many examples to prove his ethnic awareness to name right here in one post.

Sadly this is an issue brought up throughout his adult life primarily due to the fact of his vitiligo. He is still a black man through and through. Listen to his soul. His lyrics.

Beautiful black man at heart.

[SeanK]

Anyone who went beyond the pictures in Ebony will find that one of Michael's statements about S. Africa is used in an article in the magazine intended to promote black pride. He is speaking about the part that is right, not the part that is struggling that we already hear so much about. Take that as you wish.

I didn't notice that... do you have the quote to share with all of us? Thanks for the insight :-)

[wannabestartinsomthin21]

Yes.

Anyone who says otherwise is ignorant as to Michael's continued support of black causes throughout his entire, independent life time and his intertwining of statements regarding those issues in his work.

From his music to his films. Like "Bad", for example, as a video, that spoke directly to the conditions and situations of peer pressure many black youths are faced with in this country. With songs like "They Don't Care About Us", lines such as "black man/black mail/throw the brother in jail", etc... Michael speaking about his heritage and culture, implementing that culture in to his dancing, from tap, to jazz to popping and locking and pantomime.

But ultimately, and I think J5Master spoke about this, what makes Michael so globally impactful and important is, he doesn't focus his attention or center himself on the fact of his race, his race does not define him or dictate him. Rather, he transcends that barrier and promotes the betterment of the humane condition, not the black, the white, the Latino, the Indian or the Asian condition, but the state of being a humane being, no matter what color or culture or religion you stem from. He promotes the concept that we are all, essentially, the same. Because the focus we have on ourselves shouldn't be centered on something as menial as racial make up. That only causes a further divide when we constantly are pointing it out as the focal point of who we are, when it truly is not. It is only when we can see passed these man made restrictions, see someone as, not a black man, not a white man, but simply as a man, that all people will be treated and accepted as equal. Michael promotes that. In the end, he is bigger then race issues, political issues, religious issues or social issues. Michael is about more then that, Michael is about living, in the way nature intended us to be, as part of every other living force in the universe, not separated by man-made structure, but as connected and bound to eachother, as equally aware of ourselves and the other, to know ourselves as one and the same.

[eternitys_child]

I didn't notice that... do you have the quote to share with all of us? Thanks for the insight :-)

Sorry. I lent my magazine to someone (a teacher to help promote black pride in an inner city school as a matter of fact) and don't have it here right now.

It was an expansion of what we saw on the boards about him and his kids being in Africa and all the things they did there. There is a beautiful picture of a modern city at night and nerxt to it the quote from Michael saying people never talk about that side of Africa ie the one that is thriving. You could tell he was proud. What we saw on line (taken out of context) made it seem like he mentioned what he and the kids got to do for some trivial reason like he liked playing in water parks when.

[Soso Deaf]

Your post os a contradiction. Cause if you say that he used hisw album to breakdown barrieirs, then how can you say he is not aware of black issues. The 2 don't go together.

no, U are a contradiction. J5 wasn't a socially black group that brought any social issues to light. sorry but 'i want u back' had nothing to do w/ the civil rights issues going on.

as far as breaking down barriers...mj did that b/c the society at the time didn't want black voices on white radios, black faces on white music channels, or black faces on their magazines. he was so damn good that they HAD to have him on or risk losing customers.

as far as the 'THE INDUSTRY DOESN'T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE' rant...a bit too late. he knew this THEN. he knew it when he was the undisputed kop...now when his word meant nothing, when they didn't think too highly of him, and when he hadn't really been too predominate in the black community...since his image and his music was geared for EVERYONE, no one took him seriously.

if "bad" Michael had done that speech or even "dangerous' michael, people would've taken it seriously. this is a dude who took over the protest, shocked the rev. and made it personal and about him.

next.

[Soso Deaf]

Nicole, actions speak louder than words. we've seen mj and his clan in europe more than they were in africa. promises of this and that for africa and all he's done was....usa for africa! so on his trips to london and scotland and bahrain and dubai....where was the skip to the next continent? shopping in Beverly hills on robertson or going shopping while staying w/ the cascios in jersey....u can't save the world. once u realize that u can't, then u can live a little. u can't do both and that's hwat he wants to do. save the world but still go shopping at sharper image....don't make a promise u can't keep, don't make a statement u can't back up, and don't cry to people when things get tough and when it's over forget those cries and return to the humdrum....man had the NOI a few hundred strong at his arraignment...never once did they falter and he used them as security throughout the trial and even now but where is that fist u didn't hesitate to throw up while walking out of court?

just wondering.

[SoS]

As for the J-5, even though I Want You Back had nothing to do with the civil rights movement, their success had plenty to do with it as examples of what can be achieved despite age or race. Many of these 'black boys' songs were about global love and personal pride (eg., I Am Love, Hallelujah Day, Stand, Can You Feel It) Those types of songs are actually more true statement of 'civil rights' than just talking about "black issues" and, they were entertainers, not activists, so its not fair to point to I Want You Back and say they made no contribution to the cause. I Want You Back brought black people together in its way, whether it was a song about race or not.

Also, you have to look at MJ as a WHOLE person and not just a black person. During the trial of his life, he was throwing up the fist in acknowledgement of the fact that his personal plight was indeed a 'racial' issue - not just about him being a black man, but a WEALTHY black man which power-hungry racists detest even more, next to educated black men. Haven't you heard the expression - "what do they call a wealthy black man with 10 college degrees? N****R

So yes, he pulled out all the stops to fight for his life and being that he's still a wealthy black man, he can afford to shop at Sharper Image - and as pointed out in an earlier post, he's made continual contributions to black education and one of his trips was to Africa...and he still cares about the world as a whole because he realizes that he lives in a whole world, not just a black world, unlike many other black people who see the world problems only one way.

[classic]

First of all, Michael Jackson doesn't have to explain to anyone why he publicly supported one cause over another. Secondly, I don't think many here can name every and any thing that Michael Jackson has done in the name of charity. Thirdly, so what if Michael Jackson isn't protesting about this and that in Africa or holding charity events for those in Africa. Is that a requirement for all Black Americans to show pride in their race? No. And that needs to stop being the "pissing contest" for it.

There are many walking around with Malcolm X shirts, throwing up their fists, and being all things "Africa." But, in the end, what counts in the individual acts over a lifetime. There is not one person here who can say this man has not given of himself and his finances to others in need. If it was a cause that you would have supported, tough; it wasn't you or your money.

People need to stop expecting the world from Black celebrities. Let them support what they want. It has nothing to do in terms of being a reflection on their feelings towards their race.

Michael Jackson has touched and benefited the lives of many Black people. More shouldn't be required of him as long as he is giving what he feels moved to give. Anything that anyone else wants done should do it themselves, not wait for Michael Jackson to do it.

Michael Jackson exhibits so much more Black pride and awareness in himself simply through actions than many who feel they have to "shout" it.

Michael has repeatedly stated his sentiments towards Africa and many other social issues. Unless you know everything that this man has done, you can't say that he hasn't addressed any of his sentiments. Sometimes what goes most towards the heart of a problem are small series of gestures versus single, grand plans. Unless you can say that he has done nothing as a fact, perhaps such should be left better unsaid.

If people would stop generalizing about this man and actually listen to him and his music, there would be no way to say he isn't a socially aware Black Artist.

And for the record, the Sony demonstrations were not the first time he has spoken out against how the industry can scam Black artist. But, as so often, people tend to ignore and forget what they choose.

[sugababe]

First of all, Michael Jackson doesn't have to explain to anyone why he publicly supported one cause over another. Secondly, I don't think many here can name every and any thing that Michael Jackson has done in the name of charity. Thirdly, so what if Michael Jackson isn't protesting about this and that in Africa or holding charity events for those in Africa. Is that a requirement for all Black Americans to show pride in their race? No. And that needs to stop being the "pissing contest" for it.

There are many walking around with Malcolm X shirts, throwing up their fists, and being all things "Africa." But, in the end, what counts in the individual acts over a lifetime. There is not one person here who can say this man has not given of himself and his finances to others in need. If it was a cause that you would have supported, tough; it wasn't you or your money.

People need to stop expecting the world from Black celebrities. Let them support what they want. It has nothing to do in terms of being a reflection on their feelings towards their race.

Michael Jackson has touched and benefited the lives of many Black people. More shouldn't be required of him as long as he is giving what he feels moved to give. Anything that anyone else wants done should do it themselves, not wait for Michael Jackson to do it.

Michael Jackson exhibits so much more Black pride and awareness in himself simply through actions than many who feel they have to "shout" it.

Michael has repeatedly stated his sentiments towards Africa and many other social issues. Unless you know everything that this man has done, you can't say that he hasn't addressed any of his sentiments. Sometimes what goes most towards the heart of a problem are small series of gestures versus single, grand plans. Unless you can say that he has done nothing as a fact, perhaps such should be left better unsaid.

If people would stop generalizing about this man and actually listen to him and his music, there would be no way to say he isn't a socially aware Black Artist.

And for the record, the Sony demonstrations were not the first time he has spoken out against how the industry can scam Black artist. But, as so often, people tend to ignore and forget what they choose.

PREACH!!!! Some folks . . . I'll tell you . . .

[troubleman84]

This is a little off topic but this is my favorite political Marvin lyric:

"People marching for Washington
They wanna hear what you have to say
Because the tables just might turn against you, brother
Serving around Election Day
Politics and hypocrites is turning us all into lunatics
Can you take the guns from our sons?
Right all the wrongs this administration's done
Peace and freedom is the issue
Do you have a plan with you?
'Cause if got the plan, if you got the master plan
Gotta vote for you, I gotta vote for you
'Cause you're the man..." - Marvin Gaye, "You're the Man" (1972)

[troubleman84]

Here's another:

"They let the children see life destroyed
But they won't let them see its making
What happened to God's creations?!" - "The World Is Rated X" (1972)

Yeah I'm f***in' this thread up, so what?