Michael Jackson, Black or White?
News of Michael Jackson's death spread like wildfire across Africa and the world. But do Africans still consider the performer - who spent much of his life attempting to whiten his skin - as a black singer they can identify with?
What do you think?
“My father resents that Michael Jackson whitened his skin”
Papy Deme is an IT engineer in Dakar, Senegal
Everyone here is talking about his death. I heard the news around midnight, a friend called me. My wife was told by text message.
My father resents the fact that Michael whitened his skin, but I don't. Naively, I thought he probably had some kind of medical problem. What I think now is that he was psychologically very fragile, despite his immense musical genius. People here still consider him as one of history's great black singers, though. Most of his greatest hits, like Thriller, date back to when he was still completely black.
In homage, Senegalese web users are spreading around a video of a Jackson 5 concert in Dakar, decades ago."
Posted on Youtube by afscene52
“He always tried to hide his blackitude, but at heart his music was black”
Hermann C is an advertiser in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Michael always tried to hide his "blackitude", but at heart his music was black. What he did in his private life doesn't concern me, I don't judge him on that.
When I came into the office this morning, one of my colleagues greeted me with a white glove. This evening we'll play his CDs and throw a little party in his honour. Events have been organised all around Abidjan."
“Like Obama, Michael Jackson helped Africans overcome their frustration”
Claude Akono is a radio journalist in Cameroon.
Michael Jackson was a model for people in Cameroon. I remember in the 1990's, a lot of young people dressed like him. Jackson look-alikes went on television all the time.
Like Obama, Michael Jackson helped black Americans overcome their frustration. After slavery, segregation, having such geniuses to look up to is a source of pride. Of course we discuss the fact that he whitened his skin, but we've gotten used to it. In any case, Michael Jackson sings soul, a kind of music that finds its roots in Africa. So we're very clear about the fact that he's a black singer.
We also talked, about his more questionable acts, of course. But for many, the scandal around his perversions was grossly overplayed by the Western media."
Comments
Michael Jackson. Black or White ?
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 03:03.I believe Africans know of the rigours of racism and its effect. They should therefore understand that Michael Jackson image change came about because of his observance of how the black man is treated and accepted coupled with his father's allegedly negative comments and beatings of him over the years. He was a tormented soul. He wanted to be a perfectionist but he was already perfect. His looks, talent, etc. He 'just couldn't stop till he get enough.' He was driven to the extremeties and he went beyond.
I still love and accept you unconditionally Michael.
MGM
Skin-problems :
Submitted by Renata (not verified) on Tue, 30/06/2009 - 20:41.My sister just told me, that Michael Jackson suffered from the same skin-problem she is suffering from : white stains on the darker skin, more and more whitening. My sister in law has the same, she looks like black and white, on the other way than Michael.
Why did they never explain this to all of us ?
Mickael Jackson had too many surgery to change his face, thats a fact, but he not not whiten his skin, or very little, just not to have these "stains" my sister and sister in law are suffering from.
I didn't know until a few days ago.
RIP Michael, we miss you already so much !
MJ the King of Pop / the victim of racism / the pray of spongers
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 29/06/2009 - 02:42.When I was a kid I heard MJ was forced to look more Whitish for showbiz.
It's statically proven that more whiter you are, the easier you get successful in North America.
Sadly the racism still exists in people's hearts even though the public hides it now.
In 70s and 80s, the racism would've been more obvious and omnipresent than now I guess and MJ for sure suffered from it as no exception and he got too insecure about his looks (not to mention his own dad picked on his nose), which made him think that he needed to do something about it to be loved and accepted.
Then he lost his way somewhere on the line but I think someone like shrinks or girlfriends or friends or even some kids could have saved him from loneliness, insecureness and body dysphoric disorder.
Looking at some interviews with him taken when he was in 20s surprised me for how sweet and kind he was. But he self-destucted because he was sooo fragile, sensitive, insecure and incredibly humble for his fame and talent and not tough enough to beat all the media/white-washed beauty (yet it became kinda global standard of beauty though) and I think searched for a hope in children who don't know about racism or what's right or wrong or what's beautiful or ugly.
And greedy parents of some kids sure as hell took advantage of his gentleness to swindle millions out of him.
MJ was outstandingly talented genius but he was only human with sensitive heart and insecureness just like everybody else.
I feel sad that he couldn't overcome his weakenss.
Michael Jackson Color
Submitted by Mergie Allen (not verified) on Sun, 28/06/2009 - 14:21.We the Black know that Michael Had a disease that caused his color to change. We did not care that his color changed. He was still Michael Jackson and his heart was black. We did not judge him by the color of his skin but as a great black ICON.
Honestly he looked like he
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 27/06/2009 - 16:54.Honestly he looked like he was manufactured in China,slave labor no doubt.
Well ding dong the king of
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 27/06/2009 - 16:26.Well ding dong the king of Pedophilia is dead. I call him the king because paying a kid 30 million dollars not to file charges has to be a record.
I was never a fan of the king of grabbing his nuts and perfecting feminine sounds. I do feel sorry for his family they had to love him no matter what he did. All those years of picking up his nose and watching his skin change like the pantone color chart. Really it's amazing his father didn't have a heart attack first.
I read about a hundred posts on the event and it was about 50/50 between people that hated him and those that idolized him.
Well there ain't much to say. Karma caught up and grabbed him by the heart and squeezed...hard. Now Michael you got some splaining to do and this guy won't take money for a deal.
I'm sure I'll catch some flack for this one but so be it. Michael Jackson is dead and I don't give a rats ass. OhWooo chica bang chica dig...Ugg I'm dead. OhHoo, Oh Shit Honest God those kids fell on my dick I just tried to help the off it. Have you seen my nose?
What about 72 virgin boys
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 27/06/2009 - 18:04.What about 72 virgin boys .... in paradise???
One less peadophile in the
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 26/06/2009 - 17:49.One less peadophile in the world.
reply
Submitted by Unregistered userjoseph walker (not verified) on Sat, 27/06/2009 - 15:15.Must be one of of the uneducated white men on the planet.so uneducated he has'nt got a name even.ps remeber 13 counts of not guilty,i suppose, what will you know ,you are ignorant and uneducated .
Being a filthy racist with a
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 27/06/2009 - 16:21.Being a filthy racist with a poor argument will win you no points