With due respect to ...

[blamebrampton]

... those of you who are mourning him, I am probably going to bite the next person who tells me that Michael Jackson was a revolutionary figure in the fight for equality by African Americans. I hasten to add that this has so far been three in real life and double the number of media foik: my flist has been a bastion of sanity.

Aesthetic irony aside, it belittles genuine revolutionary figures. And I am not even talking about political giants like Dr King; there were many entertainers who walked a far more difficult path earlier and with more grace and charity, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Robeson, Josephine Baker, Sammy Davis Jnr and Nina Simone.

I'm all for people loving the heroes they choose, but I would love a bit of perspective at times like these. And perhaps a little sense of history.

Flistees who are just missing the singing and dancing, I apologise for intruding on your sad day. 

Comments

[droolfangrrl.livejournal.com]

http://stereotypist.livejournal.com/131545.html

[potteresque_ire]

I like his stage presence. He contributed a lot to his art. Race equality ... um, not really.
I think the term "hero" is way overused these days :)

[bloodbelieve.livejournal.com]

Wow, I actually haven't heard anything about that. I'd never even dream of referring to him that way. I'm upset because musically, to me, he was an absolute legend and influenced my life and a lot of my favourite musicians' lives. But -- revolutionary? Seriously? That's so strange.

[knic26.livejournal.com]

Equality for African Americans? Really?

Worked for aid in Africa...yeah.
Sang and danced like no one before...yeah.
Revolutionized the music video with the release of Thriller...yeah.

The only, and I mean ONLY, place where I can see equality is the fact that he was the first African American artist to have videos played on MTV, and that was because of his 'cross-over' success.

I think that media is only regarding him as a 'hero' because everyone between the ages of 20 and 40 really did grow up on his music and are more likely to feel the Elvis or John Lennon-like loss.

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

If Michael Jackson engaged in revolutionary activity, it must have all been underground, to be revealed in declassified CIA documents years later...

He was a very talented musician, and a true eccentric. I wonder what will happen to his chidren. I suspect we'll hear some interesting revelations when they reach adulthood.

[deannawol.livejournal.com]

How can you be responsible for helping along the plight of African Americans when you turned yourself whiter than white? He was probably a deeply troubled man judging by the severe self-image issues and the clinging to all things childish. Either way, had some good songs but wasn't the best 'black' musician by far either.

[deannawol.livejournal.com]

That was my first thought, I have to admit. I wonder will they go back to their mothers... It would be a shame to split them, but with the amount of debt he had, there is likely not going to be much to give them in support unless they get a percentage of royalties...

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine that somewhere along the way he must have made provisions for them. The mothers have never been active in their care, so perhaps there's a Jackson relative that will take them in. And there's probably a trust set up that will see them through adulthood. At least I hope so.

[tnumfive.livejournal.com]

Great entertainer? Definitely.

Pioneering activist? Not so much, no.

I was really upset when I heard the news. He did amazing things for the music industry. Today's artists owe a lot to Michael.

[deannawol.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed, eh?

[rubyemerald-1.livejournal.com]

I'm just feeling sad for a person who had one hell of a weird life and showed us very obviously that he wasn't coping very well with it. I think he was a remarkable performer who should have said, help me.

[hogwartsvixxxen.livejournal.com]

I'm missing him most for his singing dancing and presence. He did do alot but so did so many others as you pointed out and Thank You for that.
*{hugs}*

[deensey.livejournal.com]

I love you <3

[emansil-08.livejournal.com]

Yep, I agree.

Michael was a great entertainer, but that was all. Like us all he had his weirdness and idiosicracies. I see nothing to idolize him over. I think we should all remember his music, and should then let the man move on in peace.

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

for a man who did everything to become as physically "white" as possible, um...i'd have to go with a no. he certainly wasn't revolutionary in regards to race equality in the eyes of this black girl. ;)

revolutionary musical and entertaining genius? yes. that's what i'll miss. i grew up with him, so i feel like a tiiiiny part of my childhood has been taken away.

...

i'm sorry, i'm stuck on this, but who in the HELL said that MJ was a revolutionary figure in the fight for equality by black people??

[calanthe-fics.livejournal.com]

Poor old Farah Fawcett; she dies from anal cancer, and her big day gets overshadowed by MJ. Life, it's shit.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I feel very sorry for Farrah: she showed courage and grace all through her last years and once again had men pushing her out of the spotlight.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Mostly mad talking heads (including the one who came up with 'Before Oprah and Obama, there was Michael'), but also the Washington Post, sigh.

I never understood his appearance changes. He was a very good looking young man who became a freaky-looking middle-aged one. And PAID for it.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Oh well, at least most normal people are focussing on rational things.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Love you, too! And Ella ...

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

including the one who came up with 'Before Oprah and Obama, there was Michael'

*palmface* Dr. King is rolling over in his grave right now...

He was a very good looking young man

he was SO handsome!

LOOK AT HIM!

*sighs*

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

i'm saddened about farrah too, but the difference is that we knew her time was coming. there had been news reports all over the place wednesday that her family and friends were gathering to say their good-byes. MJ is just shocking becuase he was preparing to tour again and then BOOM! gone. i am not placing MJ's death over farrah's, but MJ's was like a slap in the face. at least to me.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Nah, Dr King is hanging out at Nina's heavenly place having a lovely drink and snacks with her, Ella, Sammy and a horde of others, trying not to laugh at the nose jokes Sammy is making, while Ella pretend-scolds him for being disrespectful. Billy Holiday is sitting behind Sammy egging him on and laughing uproariously. Rosa Parks is sitting next to Billy, telling her she's a very naughty girl, and should keep it up.

And yes, he was gorgeous then!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

He did do some good fundraising for famine relief, which is more than other entertainers do!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

River Phoenix was the only celebrity death that ever actually shocked me. I could not believe that he could die of an overdose surrounded by that many people; it just seemed ridiculous from a first aid perspective.