Comments on: Oops, He’s Sorry, He Lied: He’s Number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

By: Moms of Hue | Let’s talk. Can we define race?

Moms of Hue | Let’s talk. Can we define race? — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:21:35 +0000

[...] read a post by Jose Vilson in which he, so eloquently, thwarts the idea that Michael Jackson was not Black and it made me think a little harder about this community of [...]

By: Jose

Jose — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:57:59 +0000

Thanks, all. I really never know the sorts of things people will say about MJ, especially those who never do their research or take the time to crawl out of their sphere of influence and smell something different.

By: Amber

Amber — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:58:50 +0000

Not sure I understand why people felt MJ was not black enough aside from his ever paling complexion. Considering I am a fair skinned Black I can understand somewhat how it feels to be judged only by the color of your skin.

This was the man who put dark complected Black in videos as kings and queens.
This was the man who made Liberian Girl.
This was the man who made room on television for the Oprah’s and Obama’s when major medial broadcast whites and shades of greys.

MJ was not only Black but PRO Black, as evidenced by the content of many of his messages in his music and content in his video’s.

I think it is best stated how one twitterer put it:
“I think we enjoyed MJ’s life more than he did.”

Indeed.

By: Maura Alia Badji

Maura Alia Badji — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:28:29 +0000

This is excellent, Jose. Thanks.

Michael was complex, to say the least, in part because he simultaneously embraced (musically/ culturally) and tried to erase (physically/pigment-wise) his “Blackness”.

I wonder who the Ubiquitous Black Tribunal really serves?

Michael’s eccentricities, (Did he really say sharing his bed with young boys was beautiful? On national t.v.?) amazingly, did not outweigh his gifts.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:21:14 +0000

Jose I can hug you for this …. I wish this was posted in the Daily News across the world for all the so-called Real Niccas to read !! * real Ni**a , ppl still holding on to this word is sicking to me *

By: Kristina Brooke

Kristina Brooke — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:52:27 +0000

I want say something witty and deep, but all I can do is laugh. This is so good.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:37:26 +0000

I’m always amazed at people who try to diss someone else for not fitting into one of their premade molds. Michael Jackson, like him or not, was a unique individual. I’m glad he didn’t fit into the real ******* box of idiocracy.

I agree with you 100% on this post.