Sunday, July 12, 2009

Media - The Racial Wars....


I am appalled at the way the media has governed themselves during the passing of Legendary Pop Icon Michael Jackson, more and more I'm reminded of what a racist society we live in. ABC,NBC,CBS,CNN,FOX,PEOPLE,TMZ,Bill O'Reilly,Perez(Miserable Homo)Hilton,E,People,Us,Barbara Walters,Martin Bashir(All could easily be members of a modern day KKK) and countless others let us not forget that we're talking about a person here, an 'innocent' media icon that transformed racial and language barriers, he is someone’s child, a father, and a brother.

The world is still in mourning that the largest popular entertainer in the world has passed on. If that wasn't sad enough, it clearly became apparent that this man as a person didn't seem to matter, what was apparent and crystal clear, is that they were out to rip his skin to pieces, and left no stone unturned. I don't know what led to his death. I'm heartbroken that it happened. All the joy that he brought to so many lives, its unfortunate he wasn't able to get the love and care in return.

When 'Thriller' was released in 1982 and his 'celebrity' went into another stratosphere, everyone wanted to know Michael Jackson, and everyone wanted to lay some type of claim to him, the media couldn't get enough of him. Was it because they wanted to feel that was a part of a genius being? He seemed to have an endless supply of friends and industry clout, all deserving, because this was history in the making. Finally someone who put in the time, work and dedication was opening doors originally nailed shut. The old boy network, couldn't deny that America was witnessing something and someone out of this world. Accolades came from all over the world, for the hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication he was rewarded with the largest selling album in the world, and the icing on the cake was winning 8 Grammys Awards including 'Album of the Year'.

With all the joy, I guess the media started to resent his success, or was it too much success for a black man, who changed the rules of the game. Could a black man really be larger than a Caucasian entertainer? Hmm, was it too much exposure, did it become too hard to believe or better yet, too much to accept, all of sudden the media turned on Michael Jackson, one day I turned on the telly, and the caption read 'Michael Jackson accused of child molestation' the world of celebrity and journalism wanted to distance themselves from him with judgment. I NEVER believed that Michael Jackson was a pedophile, the man, who kids, teens and adults adored, was left with a bad rap, though never ever proven guilty, seems that white America had made up their minds, none of his high powered friends were there, why? Some African Americans such as Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey and Katt Williams seem to jump on the band wagon too.

You can NEVER deny that the King of Pop broke records and knocked down barriers. He's given to more charitable organizations than ANY other artist in history period! He taught entertainer's how to be philanthropists. I still can't understand how or why the media wanted his blood. Here's an entertainer who never got to enjoy his childhood, one who gave so freely of himself to make a better way for other's to follow. He accepted all the ridicule, all the rhetoric and ill will, and he did it with class and dignity, still loving, still creating, still forgiving and still encouraged to do more, and if possible, he was inspired to be more.

On June 25Th Michael Joseph Jackson passed away, instead of mourning the loss of the largest Pop Icon in American history. Never mind that his parents lossed their child, his siblings lost their brother, and his three kids lost their father. All that matters to the media were to sensationalized what 'they' felt led up to his death. 24 hours coverage for almost two weeks, speculation ran rampant. Why is it always a double standard for African Americans? White America can say and do whatever the hell they please and it's allowed. The school of journalism that I went to was not about tabloid and smut. Who is the benefactor of ratings success? Everyone wants to make money off of Michael Jackson's life and legacy, and it appears that it's done by any means necessary.

The truth of the matter is regardless of what popular opinion is, FACTS speaks, and the FACTS say that America and globally is in mourning, because the greatest entertainer of the world has passed away. FACT remains, he's a father who leaves three children behind to mourn his loss, and he leaves a Mother and Father, and siblings to mourn his loss and legions of fans who 'didn't stop', because we couldn't get enough.
FACT Michael Jackson legacy of music will live on forever in the hearts of his family, true friends and fans, and NO media smut can ever tarnish that image EVER!!

May his soul get the peace now, in the after life that he so richly deserves and was denied during his time here on earth.

15 comments:

  1. Very well written and said!
    Omari,
    ATL

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  2. All I can say is they talked about Jesus and he sinned not...Michael Jackson was way too much for this world to handle...I agree with you Kevin..Let us not forget that we're talking about a person here, a 'innocent' media icon that transformed racial and language barriers. He is someones child, someones father, and someones brother!!! None of us is without sin...None of us...I'm so sad because he died in so much pain...hea

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  3. Kev,
    I am still crying...Michael was a part of my life...and the day of his memorial, was the anniversary of the death of my first born son...22 years ago...July 7..I cried through the whole memorial...Brooke Shields, was amazing...omg...and Al Sharpton said it best...

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  4. WOW!!!! I'm in tears (again) .... To say that I agree, would be a major understatement!!! Thank you for perfectly articulating what has been in my BROKEN HEART over the past two weeks.... I'm still so devastated!! There's something bigger & MORE evil going on, & I sure hope the family uncovers it all! The pain I experience is not so much his death, but more of how he was taken out... I suspect foul play, & I will always believe it to be. No one will ever know if Michael ever experienced true joy & happiness off stage, & I just pray , as you stated that he is flying free in heaven singing & smiling and laughing!!!!!

    again, thank you for sharing this...... God Bless you

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  5. Kev'
    Damn .... you said what sooooooooooooooooooooooo many of us have been feeling. I couldn't have put it as nicely as you did, and still get my point across, I guess that's why you're the writer :) Well said pimpin. I'm sure the Jackson family appreciates your thoughts.
    Keep doing it up big.
    Chi-
    Detroit

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  6. I cant believe that we're in the 21st century with the old boy brass, still up to their bullshit...They will forever try to put a spin on it, our culture and especially race relations. I think it boils down to the fact that the largest pop Icon happens to be black...I really feel it's just that simple,racist bastards. Get OVER it.
    Martin

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  7. WHOA SIR KEV!! So, glad I chkd my email. This is RIGHT ON the $!!! Thanks 4
    sharing your heart coupled w/ passionate brilliance. 1

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. I just read your article on MJ. You are so correct! Nobody could have said it better. Why is it that the media exploits African Americans wrongly. i believe they are not ready for the change. Well, then what we need to do is have a silent revolution. Don't involve bullshit media.(no offence Kev). You need to keep up the great work. We need brothers like you to correctly expose us to the World!! God Bless You!

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  10. Yo have truly missed your calling. Why are you not in newspaper or magazine publications? ON some level, I feel that someone like you, voice really could never be heard, the media filters what the want to get out to the public. I really appreciated this piece, beause it's timely and very true. Michael Jackson was a PHENOM...and that they can never take away.
    Suzanne Pass
    Seattle Washington

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  11. Hi Suzanne,
    Thanks for your kind words. Thats my goal, to take it to newspapers and tv, perhaps in a real truth sermon celebrity journal type format. I'm not sure people really want to hear the truth:)
    Blessings to you and yours.
    Sincerely,
    Kevin Knighton

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  12. I think it doesn't help when family members and others that were in his life make allegations to the media. They need to just keep this private. But regardless of what the media does or prints, the world as a whole seems to be appreciating MJ for the gifts he brought and the gift he was. And that's a blessing.

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  13. Man the media thrives off of materializing things, information, products, etc... It sucks that we have to look to the media to find out our information, we never truly know what not and what to believe. But at the end of the day it is our views on the subject that take precedence

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  14. Racism will never die because we accept what whitie says. MOST are too afraid to buck the system.

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