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?
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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?
Michael Jackson parody: “Am I black or white?”
Posted on Youtube by Shavonnda07
“Like Obama, Michael Jackson helped Africans overcome their frustration”
Claude Akono is a radio journalist in Cameroon.
I heard about Michael Jackson's death when I got up this morning. My colleagues had been airing a special all night when I came in.
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."
“He always tried to hide his blackitude, but at heart his music was black”
Hermann C is an advertiser in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
A friend told me about his death by text message last night. It came as a big surprise because nobody had told us that he was sick. Everybody is talking about it this morning in Abidjan. His music brought together several generations, it was timeless. His passing is a huge loss to the music world.
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."
“My father resents that Michael Jackson whitened his skin”
Papy Deme is an IT engineer in Dakar, Senegal
I'm a huge fan. Bad was the first album my parents got me. Invincible was the first one I bought with my own money.
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
Michael Jackson, from black to white
Posted on Youtube by Slinktaz9