Not a stupid and ignoramus thing like woke or blackwashing.
He hated race barriers but he did entirely love "black" music. He was a black man who loved his race and his influences that were black, James Brown, Nicholas Brothers, Jackie Wilson. He engaged in hip hop constantly and basically helped introduce it to all corners of the world. He wanted all people to ENJOY xblack" sounds. That's what the hatred of race barriers is for.
I called it 'blackwashing' (note the quotations) since (IMHO!) Spike Lee did the opposite of what's been called 'whitewashing':
'to alter...in a way that favors, features, or caters to white people'. It's fair criticism on his documentaries on MJ and I am not alone. The way you called me out on my opinion is very cowardly, especially since you are a prominent critic yourself. I am a black man myself, my parents were actually from the same (supposed) region as The Jacksons. I don't like the Identity Politics coming from the US, what I called 'woke'. Won't use it again cause I have no interest to discuss politics. However how Spike Lee portrayed MJ was very one-sided, I can't lie about it.
Michael Jackson was a black man, proud of it, inspired by Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Temptations, all Motown stuff obviously, Gospel, worked with black producers, did experience racism etc. etc. etc.
BUT 'Michael Jackson' (and his albums) obviously also didn't exist without Walt Disney, Edgar Allen Poe, Steven Spielberg, Rod Temperton, Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, The Bee Gees, The Carpenters, Paul McCartney, Tom Bahler, Tchaikovsy, Bruce Swedien, Jerry Hey, Steve Lukather etc. etc. etc. which were white people.
I don't think I have to name MJ's inspirations here. If Spike Lee minimalizes, or even leaves out 'white' references but highlights 'black' ones, even ones that aren't accurate (lik the C'mon one) and puts in people who had little or nothing to do with MJ (Bryant), and is known for identity politics, than a decent fan can (and should) protest imo. Like you do with all other aspects of MJ
Meanwhile, he could enjoy every genre, even the "white" ones. And there was no need to stigmatize that. And we don't need to talk about what most musical influences even are. So basically, yeah, this was a pretty non nuanced take. Probably not accurate either, I'm sure there was plenty of mention of Caucasian elements; Rod Temperton was at odds with the estate so there's your reason for lack of reference there.
'Enjoy'? He was inspired and used every genre, even the 'white ones' Maybe I was non nuanced, I don't live in the US, however I feel strongly about this. And I don't believe the trouble of Temperton with The Estate has much to do with all of this, it's a general observation of his documentaries
And as for Kobe; he was one of MJs few friends. More than just "some ball player". Who would you think they should've gotten, Lionel Richie?
Lionel Richie would obviously be better yes , or what about Mister_Justin_Timberlake: speaking about being influenced by MJ
