Is MJ a Socially Aware Black Artist to You or Not Really?

mistermaxxx

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i ask this because Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield amongest others are considered Socially aware Black Artists but you never hear MJ mentioned in that discussion. now "We Are the World" brought all people together but it was a Black statement with MJ and Lionel Richie writing it together and Quincy Jones Producing it. Can You Feel it, they don't care about us, Jam. He has been socially aware from a Black Perspective,but he never hardly gets acknowledged in this? care to speak on this.
 
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Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Well i think a lot of that has to do with the media trying to say that MJ isn't proud to be black DESPITE all accounts otherwise.

But MJ definitely is as socially aware black artist...it's all in his music, like u've mentioned. It's in his humanitarian efforts. I mean it's really come out in recent years with the NAACP speech he gave (then people said he was pulling the race card).

I think also that MJ likes to take a more global approach to his humanitarian efforts. I feel he thinks that he shouldn't focus only on african american issues, which are also important but I feel he wants to reach people globally...on a non-limited scale. That's my take anyway.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

This is a tough one. I don't know if I should comment because I am not sure I understand what you mean by 'socially aware black artist'

He is socially aware

He is black

And he is an artist.

Then I would say he has been praised and recognized for his humanitarian 'socially aware' efforts.

But do you mean something else? Do you mean does he specifically relate to oppression of blacks or to black causes rather than see poor as poor and oppressed as oppressed regardless of race or nationality?

Martin Luther King was considered a black leader but most people interestingly enough do not recognize the universality of his cause. He was a humanitarian fighting for the oppressed above all else. It just happens that the poor were and are largely of color.

So where in that range are you asking if Michael has been recognized? I think that Michael was able to bridge the gap better than Martin Luther King.

Both suffered backlash. Martin Luther King from both white racists and corporations afraid of a rebelling/awakening the poor. You saw the racism first with MLK even though it was really the underlying corporate manipulation that fueled the backlash. With Michael we usually point toward the corporations (Sony, media, etc) trying to get hold of his catalogue or make money off of him. They were able to use racism to aid them (think Snedden). But the difference I think is that blacks always stood solidly behind MLK but with Michael they are confused. He left the J5 and 'crossed over' and in addition it was touted he did not want to recognize being black. He is weathly and that makes him even harder for those blacks who are struggling to relate to (even though it was MLK who was the one born upper class). It put Michael more solidly in the middle but not by any real difference between him and MLK in their philosophy.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

He is socially aware

He is black

And he is an artist.

:lol: Not at u but the obvious comment :tongue: Good points.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

eternitys_child is making very interesting points as usual. I don't have much to add, but I do think that the times when he tries to say something in his art about opression and expresses that he is indeed one of the opressed, people don't get it. Like TDCAU for instance. It was very obvious to me what that song was about, but most reviewers didn't seem to understand very much.

When people say that MJ doesn't recognize his race, I always think about the scene in the TDCAU prison version where he looks straight in the camera and claps his chest while singing the words "black man, black male, throw a brother in jail". I also think about the panther dance in BOW. It's not a coincidence that he metamorphosises from and into a black panther. Especially since he and his brothers used to do the black panther salute in the seventies.
 
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Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Yes he is. People just hadn't been following up all these years since. But he's as socially aware as Marvin, Bob and Curtis were.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

he's aware of what's going on in the world but as far as what's going on back home and how his people are suffering? i don't see him launching an effort on a charity single for darfur or for the ghetto or for those on hud.....

that's y they call him an artist who transcends race. while he has bridged the gap in genre and sex, the whole 'race' thing is still an issue....saying that he is above it is taking away who he is, his identity, and his purpose. the whole reason y thriller is so amazing isn't just b/c it's the best selling solo album...it's b/c it's creator was a young black man who used that album to break down colour barriers.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Just look at my siggy. lol
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

he's aware of what's going on in the world but as far as what's going on back home and how his people are suffering? i don't see him launching an effort on a charity single for darfur or for the ghetto or for those on hud.....

that's y they call him an artist who transcends race. while he has bridged the gap in genre and sex, the whole 'race' thing is still an issue....saying that he is above it is taking away who he is, his identity, and his purpose. the whole reason y thriller is so amazing isn't just b/c it's the best selling solo album...it's b/c it's creator was a young black man who used that album to break down colour barriers.
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.
From my point of view, the Jackson five were a social awareness group for black people. They were the black icon and the black dream. The coin ' young, gifted and black were made for them. Black people all over the world were proud of them and wanted to be like them When they wore the afro, that initself was a political statement. it was a statememt of defiance and dearing. They had the stuff and they were good and they made us proud to be black.
The Jacksons of themselves were not a political group, they were just out there to do the music, but it was a time of revolution all round. Young whites were fighting to be heard and young blacks were fighting to be seen. It was that movement that pushed the jacksons forwards as the black icon. They represented the young and disenfranchised, and they gave black kids hope.
So yes, I woukld say that MJ and the Jacksons were very much aware of their politivcal reference. I feel that many blacks have been disappointed in MJ because they feel that he has left the cause of not kept faith with them. That is not the truth, Times have changed, and MJ changed with the tuimes, but he more than many have felt the pangs of racism. He is just not going to let it stop him from doing what he wants to do.
 
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Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

This is a tough one. I don't know if I should comment because I am not sure I understand what you mean by 'socially aware black artist'

He is socially aware

He is black

And he is an artist.
Michael is not openly a political artist and IMO he shouldn't be. He does write songs that describe the problems that we have in this world. Those issues are often global. And I think that the way he speaks about those important issues he can get a much wider audience. Not just focusing on the issues in USA.
Songs like TDCAU and Can you feel it and Black or white deal with issues that happen all over the world.
He is very much socially aware.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Yes he is VERY aware, but he tries not to give RACE anymore attention that it gives.. There is too much labeling "Black" "White" He believes it should not matter, so why feed into it..

With Sony demonstrations he brought race up because that was the issue.. He would talk about it when it is about an ISSUE about race. But other than that NO!! He does not want to feed into the sepperation.

In some songs he brings race up, and it is all in cause of racial issues..Black or White' speaks for itself, but even in 'Man In The Mirror' with some performances he sing. "White man gotta make a change, the white man gotta make a change."

Not saying singing about something makes you aware.. But speeches he's given, the knowledge that he obtaines BEING black, and reading as much as he does.. At one point he said that he reads a book a day.. (probably when he does not have music to work on) But non the less, he's very knowledgable.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Yes he is VERY aware, but he tries not to give RACE anymore attention that it gives.. There is too much labeling "Black" "White" He believes it should not matter, so why feed into it..

With Sony demonstrations he brought race up because that was the issue.. He would talk about it when it is about an ISSUE about race. But other than that NO!! He does not want to feed into the sepperation.

In some songs he brings race up, and it is all in cause of racial issues..Black or White' speaks for itself, but even in 'Man In The Mirror' with some performances he sing. "White man gotta make a change, the white man gotta make a change."

Not saying singing about something makes you aware.. But speeches he's given, the knowledge that he obtaines BEING black, and reading as much as he does.. At one point he said that he reads a book a day.. (probably when he does not have music to work on) But non the less, he's very knowledgable.
Yes, I agree with you, and MJ is a global phenomenon, why should he limit himself to a group of people just because he happens to be a member of that group, it's like saying that a family member shouldn't care about anyone who isn't a member of the family.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

The fact that MJ has made charity singles for different causes tells you that he is socially aware. Now, if you're talking about black issues in the US, I'm certain he's aware of issues here too. Think about "Beat It" and other songs he's written. He was even going to do a charity single for Katrina (whose victims were mostly black)--not exactly sure what happened to that, but he knows what's going on in the world.

I also agree with the poster above. While some entertainers market to a select group of folks--Mike is marketing to folks on different planets, lol. Mike is probably more aware of what's going on socially than most folks, as he's an avid reader.

Not only is Mike socially aware, but he's doing something about. I believe I saw a picture of him in a Toyota Cirrus(sp). Think "Earth Song."
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

he's aware of what's going on in the world but as far as what's going on back home and how his people are suffering? i don't see him launching an effort on a charity single for darfur or for the ghetto or for those on hud.....

that's y they call him an artist who transcends race. while he has bridged the gap in genre and sex, the whole 'race' thing is still an issue....saying that he is above it is taking away who he is, his identity, and his purpose. the whole reason y thriller is so amazing isn't just b/c it's the best selling solo album...it's b/c it's creator was a young black man who used that album to break down colour barriers.

I feel Michael is a complex dude but yeah I agree with your point as well. I don't like to be biased about it so I think he's aware but I also think he thinks of himself as transcending race to become what he's become.
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

Well i think a lot of that has to do with the media trying to say that MJ isn't proud to be black DESPITE all accounts otherwise.

But MJ definitely is as socially aware black artist...it's all in his music, like u've mentioned. It's in his humanitarian efforts. I mean it's really come out in recent years with the NAACP speech he gave (then people said he was pulling the race card).

I think also that MJ likes to take a more global approach to his humanitarian efforts. I feel he thinks that he shouldn't focus only on african american issues, which are also important but I feel he wants to reach people globally...on a non-limited scale. That's my take anyway.

I co-sign.. !!!:)
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

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

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

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

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

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. :wub:
 
Re: is MJ a Socially aware Black Artist or not to you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?
 
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