The black community is not as divided on MJ as some may think. Some may be upset for their own reasons of how they feel about MJ, some others may go off on MJ without going into facts of his life (and I've seen those who claim they know Michael did this to his face or believe he may have a part in those allegations in some kind of way despite no proof proving it). But for the most part, I've seen many who think he got wronged by the media and no matter what they stuck by him to the end. Some folks, like my mom for instance, believed for years he bleached himself because we have a relative who has vitiligo but it was only in blotches but I did tell her that it wasn't true (without arguing with her which is a no-no) because I did see big brown blotches on Michael and said that vitiligo can spread out. She understood what I was saying and she said "yes it's possible he could have, but that's how I saw it initially" or something to that effect). She did believe he didn't do no wrongdoing because "he's a child" and hated the fact that Joe never allowed Michael to really grow up. I think she also said she believed he did the surgery because he was ashamed of Joe. My father never really had that much of an opinion other than he didn't know Michael was still around (when he was alive), the only questions he'd ask is "I thought he retired " For the most part, my family still loved Michael for what he put out in the past.

But other folks may not feel the same. But that could go to families of all races who were exposed to Michael at some point and left with their opinions...up until his death and they suddenly began to have their catalogs with MJ music in it when they weren't initially fans. I never see anyone in my family besides nephews and nieces probably buying his music.

WaterInYourBath said:

One year ago today was one of the most sorrowful days of my life. 6/25/09 was awful, but 7/7/09 was even worse. Time really flies....It's been a whole year. And amazingly, just like July 7 last year, it's been raining where I am again today. Incredible...

Instead of being sad though, I've been feeling a little pensive, but then I just happened to see this on TV a little while ago, LOL. It's very funny:

I remembered initially seeing this on one of the MJ boards and some folks were criticizing it initially because Steve was saying the same thing Chris Rock said in his special about Michael coming to court "dressed like Captain Crunch" but Steve was obviously more positive about Michael than Chris was. I agree it was funny lol

So when this announcement of the new album coming out? lol

Timmy84 said:

The black community is not as divided on MJ as some may think. Some may be upset for their own reasons of how they feel about MJ, some others may go off on MJ without going into facts of his life (and I've seen those who claim they know Michael did this to his face or believe he may have a part in those allegations in some kind of way despite no proof proving it). But for the most part, I've seen many who think he got wronged by the media and no matter what they stuck by him to the end. Some folks, like my mom for instance, believed for years he bleached himself because we have a relative who has vitiligo but it was only in blotches but I did tell her that it wasn't true (without arguing with her which is a no-no) because I did see big brown blotches on Michael and said that vitiligo can spread out. She understood what I was saying and she said "yes it's possible he could have, but that's how I saw it initially" or something to that effect). She did believe he didn't do no wrongdoing because "he's a child" and hated the fact that Joe never allowed Michael to really grow up. I think she also said she believed he did the surgery because he was ashamed of Joe. My father never really had that much of an opinion other than he didn't know Michael was still around (when he was alive), the only questions he'd ask is "I thought he retired " For the most part, my family still loved Michael for what he put out in the past.

But other folks may not feel the same. But that could go to families of all races who were exposed to Michael at some point and left with their opinions...up until his death and they suddenly began to have their catalogs with MJ music in it when they weren't initially fans. I never see anyone in my family besides nephews and nieces probably buying his music.

I cant speak for the entire black community but here's my experience talking with black folks about Michael.

• Many blacks were frustrated with the skin lightening. Even those who believed the Vitiligro story were still pissed off about the multiple nose jobs, the apparant restructuring of the jaw bone...and the "cleft" in the chin which is associated more with caucasian features, than with black features. So yes there was some frustration.
• Many black people discussed disgust with Joe Jackson's barbaric handling of his children's careers especially Michaels. Once it was learned that he abused Michael, and once Michael's mental illness was becoming more and more apparent, people became more and more angry with Joe Jackson.
• Some black people felt that Michael put himself in the predicament for people to make allegations against him due not listening to reason, and having these sleep overs with children.

After Michael's death black people were just as shocked, saddened, and sentimental about Michael as any other group of people. As far as Michael trying to be "white". I think black people's opinions vary on this. I personally believe that Michael was trying to escape his blackness, other black people may postpone judgement, agree with me, or completely disagree. So it all really depends on who you talk to.

mozfonky said:

bboy87 said:

Angry at Michael? Nah most black people don't feel that. He's gotten a lot of love from the community since he's passed

I bought the Nelson George book the other day and yeah I felt it was okay but some of the mistakes and typos are pretty big ones in my opinion and bogged the book down. As someone who's done research on Michael's career (Mind you, I'm not a journalist and was born in 1987 ), I also think the minor mistakes could've definitely been fixed by press time

About him questioning Michael's blackness and Michael's situation with vitiligo (ignoring the autopsy report and quoting Quincy Jones' interview from last year didn't make his case any stronger) , I think that was one of the biggest issues that bogged the book down, if it was about celebrating the music, did that need to be apart of it?

and i didn't mean angry at michael, i mean angry over what was done to a favorite son.

I understand and a lot of people in the black community feel that way because many finally see what was going on

Bill O'Reilly said something really idiotic the day of Michael's memorial. He and his colleagues said Michael wasn't a black icon

A lot of people were pissed about that but nothing was said in the media but at the same time, people were offended a couple of days earlier when Jamie Foxx said "He was one of US, he belonged to us, and we shared him with everybody"

Also, for years, people went for "Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and "Dangerous" and thought that's all there was to Michael's music but now people are seeing the music. The Jackson 5 collectively released 19 albums in the 7 years they were at Motown (9 studio albums, 2 live albums, 1 holiday album, 4 MJ solo albums, 1 Jackie solo album, and 2 Jermaine solo albums) and 6 albums as The Jacksons

It's refreshing to see people pay attention to the wealth of material that he left behind

bboy87 said:

mozfonky said:

and i didn't mean angry at michael, i mean angry over what was done to a favorite son.

I understand and a lot of people in the black community feel that way because many finally see what was going on

Bill O'Reilly said something really idiotic the day of Michael's memorial. He and his colleagues said Michael wasn't a black icon

A lot of people were pissed about that but nothing was said in the media but at the same time, people were offended a couple of days earlier when Jamie Foxx said "He was one of US, he belonged to us, and we shared him with everybody"

Also, for years, people went for "Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and "Dangerous" and thought that's all there was to Michael's music but now people are seeing the music. The Jackson 5 collectively released 19 albums in the 7 years they were at Motown (9 studio albums, 2 live albums, 1 holiday album, 4 MJ solo albums, 1 Jackie solo album, and 2 Jermaine solo albums) and 6 albums as The Jacksons

It's refreshing to see people pay attention to the wealth of material that he left behind

There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with what Jaime Foxx said. However, "we" didn't share him with anybody. Michael and his handlers did that. But I guess Jaimes point was that Michael was first a black artist...and artist who started out with Motown prior to all the "pop" stuff. An artist who was first adored by black folks prior to becoming sensationalized and spread out to the masses.

Reel said:

bboy87 said:

Angry at Michael? Nah most black people don't feel that. He's gotten a lot of love from the community since he's passed

I bought the Nelson George book the other day and yeah I felt it was okay but some of the mistakes and typos are pretty big ones in my opinion and bogged the book down. As someone who's done research on Michael's career (Mind you, I'm not a journalist and was born in 1987 ), I also think the minor mistakes could've definitely been fixed by press time

About him questioning Michael's blackness and Michael's situation with vitiligo (ignoring the autopsy report and quoting Quincy Jones' interview from last year didn't make his case any stronger) , I think that was one of the biggest issues that bogged the book down, if it was about celebrating the music, did that need to be apart of it?

No wonder you are so sweet! You are so young and "un-jaded". You seem like you hone in on the good in people. Oh well, when you get my age, you might start to see Michael a little differently. Doesnt mean that you wont still adore him, but perhaps you'll see things slightly different.

Probably not

mozfonky said:

bboy87 said:

Angry at Michael? Nah most black people don't feel that. He's gotten a lot of love from the community since he's passed

I bought the Nelson George book the other day and yeah I felt it was okay but some of the mistakes and typos are pretty big ones in my opinion and bogged the book down. As someone who's done research on Michael's career (Mind you, I'm not a journalist and was born in 1987 ), I also think the minor mistakes could've definitely been fixed by press time

About him questioning Michael's blackness and Michael's situation with vitiligo (ignoring the autopsy report and quoting Quincy Jones' interview from last year didn't make his case any stronger) , I think that was one of the biggest issues that bogged the book down, if it was about celebrating the music, did that need to be apart of it?

Yeah, i thought it was one of the most inconsistent books by one of the very best black music writers in the country. I wrote him telling him as much on his myspace page, stating that it made him look like he rushed it out for a buck. Some gems of thoughtfulness in it though.

Yeah, I was iffy about buying it because Nelson lost points with me for his article during Michael's trial but I still respect him. Now if it had been written by Toure', that book would still be on the shelf

Reel said:

bboy87 said:

I understand and a lot of people in the black community feel that way because many finally see what was going on

Bill O'Reilly said something really idiotic the day of Michael's memorial. He and his colleagues said Michael wasn't a black icon

A lot of people were pissed about that but nothing was said in the media but at the same time, people were offended a couple of days earlier when Jamie Foxx said "He was one of US, he belonged to us, and we shared him with everybody"

Also, for years, people went for "Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and "Dangerous" and thought that's all there was to Michael's music but now people are seeing the music. The Jackson 5 collectively released 19 albums in the 7 years they were at Motown (9 studio albums, 2 live albums, 1 holiday album, 4 MJ solo albums, 1 Jackie solo album, and 2 Jermaine solo albums) and 6 albums as The Jacksons

It's refreshing to see people pay attention to the wealth of material that he left behind

There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with what Jaime Foxx said. However, "we" didn't share him with anybody. Michael and his handlers did that. But I guess Jaimes point was that Michael was first a black artist...and artist who started out with Motown prior to all the "pop" stuff. An artist who was first adored by black folks prior to becoming sensationalized and spread out to the masses.

Emotion can do that. That said, he belonged to the world, first in the black community than as soon as he and his brothers became famous, to the world. Even from the beginning. I don't think there was nothing wrong with what he said though because in a way he's right.

It's all about the music though. His personal life is taking a seat now.

My gosh, look at him... So adorable....

He was such a little entertainer... Haha! <333333333

These are some very rare clips of Michael and the rest of the Jackson clan back in 1977 or early 1978 at the Rock N Roll Sports Classic special....They were all very atlethic and Michael was one helluva swimmer!

Earth, Wind & Fire, The Commodores and Gladys Knight are featured in these clips also.

I look at this country, the society we are in and history for my answers. Usually, the main issues are Power and then, as a close second, money. People will do anything for money. I also have studied every great black man going back a hundred years. There was nearly ALWAYS some bullshit, concocted controversy to either neutralize them or to run them out of the country. I'm talking Robeson, Malcolm, King, Ali, anyone who could possibly inspire multitudes or even impact white thought as many great black men did were hunted. Does that mean that Michael didn't do it? No, not in and of itself but it's my first bet on what went on. Secondly, rich people are targets, elvis has FBI files full of people trying to extort millions out of him in a time when at least people were more honest about their greed. It's just an occupational hazard for people who are famous, rich and have some power. I find it very easy to believe that people would lie for millions of dollars even if it destroyed another's hard earned work, happens all the fucking time with a lot less reason. I'm schizoid anyway, I really do not like people or trust people so it all is very easy for me to think that those are the things at play.

^ OMG... Michael cracked me up in those athletic videos...

Poor thing... He was like so un-sporty... HAHA!!! When he was being interviewed... OMG! He was so adorable... And Marlon teasing him about not being on shape. <3 Geeze, he was such a cutiepie.

But yea, he's a good swimmer indeed. I remember him saying that swimming was his favourite sport back in the J5 days.

[Edited 7/9/10 17:34pm]

mozfonky said:

poetcorner61 said:

for anyone who didn't live as a teen in the era, what a gift to have these two genius' at the same time.

I wasn't a teen quite yet,but I feel very lucky to have been there to witness both of them.

Timmy84 said:

So when this announcement of the new album coming out? lol

Hopefully soon.

mimi07 said:

I had that doll! I had the AMA Red jacket one.

alphastreet said:

I am so high off this remix of Shake Your Body, shut up and dance you all!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_XANsI0Fkg&playnext_from=TL&videos=OAc94a6BC88

Highlights a pet annoyance for me - when "fans" can't distinguish between Jackson 5 and Jacksons.

The whole point of the Jacksons name change was the creative freedom that came along with it and "contractually" having to leave their J5 name behind.

Minor I know but irks me everytime.

At the risk of re-posting - doesn't anyone want to discuss the actual music of MJ?

In the interest of promoting musical discussions - here is my take on what are the essential, good, and weakest tracks of MJ's solo work. Be interested in what yours are - what you think are must listen to and what are just ok. Oh and caveat - i am saying weakest and by that do not mean totally weak but rather in comparison to the rest of the album.

Agree. Disagree. Explain. Respect.

My picks for MJ's Solo (Epic) Albums. What are yours?

OFF THE WALL

Essential Listening
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
Rock With You
Working Day n Night
Get On The Floor
I Can't Help It

Good Tracks
Off The Wall
She's Out Of My Life
It's the Falling in Love
Burn This Disco Out

Weakest Tracks
Girlfriend


THRILLER

Essential Listening
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Beat It
Billie Jean
Human Nature
The Lady In My Life

Good Tracks
Thriller
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Weakest Tracks
Baby Be Mine
The Girl is Mine


BAD

Essential Listening
The Way You Make Me Feel
Liberian Girl
Man in The Mirror
Dirty Diana
Smooth Criminal
Leave Me Alone

Good Tracks
Bad
Speed Demon
Another Part of Me
I Just Can't Stop Loving You

Weakest Tracks
Just Good Friends


DANGEROUS

Essential Listening
Jam
Why You Wanna Trip On Me
In The Closet
Remember The Time
Black or White
Who Is It
Give In To Me
Will You Be There

Good Tracks
She Drives Me Wild
Can't Let Her Get Away
Keep The Faith
Dangerous

Weakest Tracks
Heal The World
Gone Too Soon

HiStory

Essential Listening
Scream
They Don't Care About Us
Stranger In Moscow
Earth Song
Money
Tabloid Junkie
2 Bad
Smile

Good Tracks
This Time Around
Come Together
You Are Not Alone
History
Little Susie

Weakest Tracks
D.S.
Childhood


BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR: HISTORY IN THE MIX

Essential Listening
Morphine
Ghost

Good Tracks
Blood On The Dance Floor
Superfly Sister
Is It Scary

Weakest Tracks


INVINCIBLE

Essential Listening
Heartbreaker
Break of Dawn
You Rock My World
Butterflies
Cry
Whatever Happens

Good Tracks
Unbreakable
Invincible
Heaven Can Wait

Weakest Tracks
Speechless
2,000 Watts
You Are My Life
Privacy
The Lost Children
Don't Walk Away
Threatened

Swa said:

alphastreet said:

I am so high off this remix of Shake Your Body, shut up and dance you all!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_XANsI0Fkg&playnext_from=TL&videos=OAc94a6BC88

Highlights a pet annoyance for me - when "fans" can't distinguish between Jackson 5 and Jacksons.

The whole point of the Jacksons name change was the creative freedom that came along with it and "contractually" having to leave their J5 name behind.

Minor I know but irks me everytime.

I knew I couldn't be the only one who gets annoyed by that. Motown is releasing a boxset of the first three Jackson 5 albums and the Dancing Machine album and the cover they used is from 1979

it's a Jackson 5 set, not a Jacksons set

bboy87 said:

Swa said:

Highlights a pet annoyance for me - when "fans" can't distinguish between Jackson 5 and Jacksons.

The whole point of the Jacksons name change was the creative freedom that came along with it and "contractually" having to leave their J5 name behind.

Minor I know but irks me everytime.

I knew I couldn't be the only one who gets annoyed by that. Motown is releasing a boxset of the first three Jackson 5 albums and the Dancing Machine album and the cover they used is from 1979

it's a Jackson 5 set, not a Jacksons set

So when does this boxset come out? Also I have a question about a member on MJJC,do you know if this smooth_criminal05 is a legit source to the upcoming album?

EmeraldSkies said:

mozfonky said:

for anyone who didn't live as a teen in the era, what a gift to have these two genius' at the same time.

I wasn't a teen quite yet,but I feel very lucky to have been there to witness both of them.

Same here.

bboy87 said:

Swa said:

Highlights a pet annoyance for me - when "fans" can't distinguish between Jackson 5 and Jacksons.

The whole point of the Jacksons name change was the creative freedom that came along with it and "contractually" having to leave their J5 name behind.

Minor I know but irks me everytime.

I knew I couldn't be the only one who gets annoyed by that. Motown is releasing a boxset of the first three Jackson 5 albums and the Dancing Machine album and the cover they used is from 1979

it's a Jackson 5 set, not a Jacksons set

You must be talking about this collection, which comes out October 5th of this year:

It's weird that the folks at Universal would use a 1978 Jacksons publicity photo for the Destiny album as the cover of the collection. I already have these albums so I definitely won't be buying it, but I'm glad that their first three albums are being reissued for those who missed out on the other reissues, which are out of print (including the excellent 2-for-1 CDs that Universal/Motown released in 2001).

lol @ them using a jacksons photo with randy instead of a jackson 5 one with jermaine, somewhere jermaine is upset.

[img:$uid]http://www.soulculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/michael-jackson-by-arno-bani1.jpg[/img:$uid]

Michael Jackson by Marsha Ambrosius

learned too much from Michael Jackson. Having the opportunity to be both observer and writer/vocal producer was too rich to put into so many words. Watching his breathing techniques, the vocal scales he would go over and over again before even stepping in the vocal booth at the studio every day we recorded. He was perfect. He was just so giving. He gave his all.

That would be the same thing that inspires me about him. He cared so much for everything and everyone. He gave his all in anything he did. His legacy is left for us to study. It’s evidence of how GREAT he was and always will be.

I wrote “I Want You To Stay” for Michael Jackson a few weeks before he passed away. I was going to be in London the week the tour started. A few weeks prior to the tour, I flew over to London and during my stay, I wrote it in my mother’s house on her piano.

I did a studio version which will be on Late Nights & Early Mornings – Michael Jackson’s influence can be seen and heard in not just the music I make but in most artists. I can’t help it! No Pun. Why not strive for greatness?

[Ed's note: Click here to download our live recording of Marsha Ambrosius' song for MJ, "I Want You To Stay" - performed live at London's Jazz Cafe in July 2009.

Marsha Ambrosius Recalls Meeting Michael Jackson

[img:$uid]http://www.soulculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/michael-jackson-marsha-ambrosius.jpg[/img:$uid]

I'm nervous. Excited but very nervous. It's a mild afternoon in New York City and I'm walking towards The Hit Factory studio to meet Mr.Michael Jackson. Today would be the first day recording his vocals on a song I wrote. A song called "Butterflies". Oblivious to pedestrians and loud traffic. Tuning out any sound interrupting my inner voice screaming "Calm down!!! You deserve this!!! You're worth this!!!".

I walk through the glass doors leading to a front desk. I was told to give my full name and ID was required. As expected, I was. A doorman walked me to the key operated elevator and was escorted to his floor. "Michael Jackson & Friends" was written on a white piece of A4 paper taped to the door. I was led inside.

My heart is literally beating out of my chest and I'm two breaths short of a panic attack. All I recall is the sound of a grand piano playing a harmonic scale, someone singing and seeing who that voice was coming from eye to eye.

It was him. The King of Pop. The Greatest Entertainer of All Time. From the live room, he smiled at me and threw up a peace sign. Continued to warm up his vocals as I stood in awe and then made his way to me. He said my first name and gave me a welcoming embrace. "Thank you," he said.

No Michael! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SoulCulture TV: Click here to find out how Marsha came to work with MJ when he heard her song "Butterflies". [She talks about Michael around the 6-minute mark]

http://www.soulculture.co...ment-40747

[Edited 7/9/10 19:34pm]

mozfonky said:

NMuzakNSoul said:

you ask one person for his opinion and u wonder if it counts for everyone? pfft.

chill buddy, just asking how you guys feel. I'm Indian, said many times here, generally closer with blacks than my own. But I never ever understood why black people don't just go the fuck off when they are being blatantly wronged. Like I said I'm Indian and we did our best in the past and still try to keep the man from victimizing us. I'm pissed at what happened to Mike's life, really pissed. Whatever his faults were, (and no, he wasn't no molester, I don't believe)he shouldn't have been hounded to an early grave and that's exactly what it was.

I don't know.. I really think it varies. I remember speaking to people in the black community and they said that every black person they knew supported Michael and always viewed him as a "black man" - even during the trial. They claim only certain black public figures (e.g. comedians) made jokes about him, but overall, the black community always stood by him. Again, I'm not sure how strong that statement can hold. On the other hand, I'm sure there were many who did give a side-eye to the skin color and plastic surgery; however, I'm not sure if that really changes the perception of Michael still being viewed as a black iconic figure in the black community. They sure respected him more than any other group during his lowest points, that's for sure.

Reel said:

I cant speak for the entire black community but here's my experience talking with black folks about Michael.

• Many blacks were frustrated with the skin lightening. Even those who believed the Vitiligro story were still pissed off about the multiple nose jobs, the apparant restructuring of the jaw bone...and the "cleft" in the chin which is associated more with caucasian features, than with black features. So yes there was some frustration.
• Many black people discussed disgust with Joe Jackson's barbaric handling of his children's careers especially Michaels. Once it was learned that he abused Michael, and once Michael's mental illness was becoming more and more apparent, people became more and more angry with Joe Jackson.
• Some black people felt that Michael put himself in the predicament for people to make allegations against him due not listening to reason, and having these sleep overs with children.

After Michael's death black people were just as shocked, saddened, and sentimental about Michael as any other group of people. As far as Michael trying to be "white". I think black people's opinions vary on this. I personally believe that Michael was trying to escape his blackness, other black people may postpone judgement, agree with me, or completely disagree. So it all really depends on who you talk to.

Hmm.. that's if you define "blackness" as none other than the color of your skin and the shape of your nose. In that case, Janet is escaping her blackness and so is Beyonce for that matter. As far as looks are concerned, to me - Michael was just trying to look cope with his skin disease by looking "normal" through uniformal skin color (throughout the 80s, he used brown makeup to cover white patches; throughout the 90s/00s, he used light makeup to cover brown patches). To me, being black is a history, pespective, viewpoint, experience, etc - which Michael always demonstrated. Despite how he looked, he always carried the black perspective when talking about music, inspiring artists, dancing. You get a feel for his true identity when you read his interviews.

MyLuv229 said:

Reel said:

I cant speak for the entire black community but here's my experience talking with black folks about Michael.

• Many blacks were frustrated with the skin lightening. Even those who believed the Vitiligro story were still pissed off about the multiple nose jobs, the apparant restructuring of the jaw bone...and the "cleft" in the chin which is associated more with caucasian features, than with black features. So yes there was some frustration.
• Many black people discussed disgust with Joe Jackson's barbaric handling of his children's careers especially Michaels. Once it was learned that he abused Michael, and once Michael's mental illness was becoming more and more apparent, people became more and more angry with Joe Jackson.
• Some black people felt that Michael put himself in the predicament for people to make allegations against him due not listening to reason, and having these sleep overs with children.

After Michael's death black people were just as shocked, saddened, and sentimental about Michael as any other group of people. As far as Michael trying to be "white". I think black people's opinions vary on this. I personally believe that Michael was trying to escape his blackness, other black people may postpone judgement, agree with me, or completely disagree. So it all really depends on who you talk to.

Hmm.. that's if you define "blackness" as none other than the color of your skin and the shape of your nose. In that case, Janet is escaping her blackness and so is Beyonce for that matter. As far as looks are concerned, to me - Michael was just trying to look cope with his skin disease by looking "normal" through uniformal skin color (throughout the 80s, he used brown makeup to cover white patches; throughout the 90s/00s, he used light makeup to cover brown patches). To me, being black is a history, pespective, viewpoint, experience, etc - which Michael always demonstrated. Despite how he looked, he always carried the black perspective when talking about music, inspiring artists, dancing. You get a feel for his true identity when you read his interviews.

Like I said in the above statement... black people feel different about Michael. I personally belive that he was definitely trying to escape his blackness. I have seen no celebrity chistle their nose down to a nub. Sorry, not Janet...Not Beyonce...Nobody. Nor have I seen any black person put a cleft in their chin, and chistle out their jawbone...and do god knows whatelse he did. As I mentioned earlier, my opinion is based on more than just the "skin lightening". The adopted kids with no evidence of any sort of biological ties to Africa....please. Nobody can make me believe differently, just like I'm sure that nobody can change your opinion on the matter.

Reel said:

MyLuv229 said:

Hmm.. that's if you define "blackness" as none other than the color of your skin and the shape of your nose. In that case, Janet is escaping her blackness and so is Beyonce for that matter. As far as looks are concerned, to me - Michael was just trying to look cope with his skin disease by looking "normal" through uniformal skin color (throughout the 80s, he used brown makeup to cover white patches; throughout the 90s/00s, he used light makeup to cover brown patches). To me, being black is a history, pespective, viewpoint, experience, etc - which Michael always demonstrated. Despite how he looked, he always carried the black perspective when talking about music, inspiring artists, dancing. You get a feel for his true identity when you read his interviews.

Like I said in the above statement... black people feel different about Michael. I personally belive that he was definitely trying to escape his blackness. I have seen no celebrity chistle their nose down to a nub. Sorry, not Janet...Not Beyonce...Nobody. Nor have I seen any black person put a cleft in their chin, and chistle out their jawbone...and do god knows whatelse he did. As I mentioned earlier, my opinion is based on more than just the "skin lightening". The adopted kids with no evidence of any sort of biological ties to Africa....please. Nobody can make me believe differently, just like I'm sure that nobody can change your opinion on the matter.

Well, that's your opinion...