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By Rev. Al Sharpton | SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES
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In recent years,
Sharpton and Jackson marched to Sony and fought for
Jackson's rights to his music catalogue.
Photo Courtesy of NNPA.
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(NNPA) - It was the mid-1970s. The nation
was fresh off the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, the
Vietnam War was finally over and people began adjusting to
a newly, fully integrated society. Blacks and Whites worked
side by side, and women and minorities slowly but surely began
to crack open that all too visible glass ceiling in triumphant
ways.
As society progressed however, we waited – and yearned
– for that one individual who could break the mold in
mainstream pop culture and truly make it acceptable to not
just speak of equality in all endeavors but transform it into
an actuality. We awaited someone who defied racial impediments
and institutional barriers, and could finally normalize African
Americans onto television sets and into living rooms across
the country.
That someone who possessed enough raw talent that even the
most discriminatory of individuals could not help but respect
and acknowledge his or her sheer gift.
Little did we know then that the youngest member of the
Jackson 5 was about to revamp our complete social, political
and entertainment structure in unfathomable ways, and in the
process, reshape the perception of an entire race on the world
stage.
I was a young teenager when I first met Michael. We were
both blessed to have known the late great Godfather of soul
James Brown, who, in many respects, was like a surrogate father
to us both. Throughout the decades, we formed a close kinship
that many may never be able to comprehend. During his 1984
Victory Tour, Michael and I began working together as I took
on the role of his community relations director. In 2002,
the King of Pop came to our National Action Network headquarters
in Harlem, and he and I marched together to Sony Music along
with hundreds of supporters as we fought for Michael’s
ownership of his own music catalogue. And during his tough
trials and legal bouts throughout the years, I openly supported
Michael - and that itself will never change.
I was one of the lucky few to have known this Apollo legend
and bear witness to not only an exceptional career, but to
a compassionate, determined, driven individual whose greatest
qualities are often underscored. A man who dominated the charts
with sales of some 50 million copies of his ‘Thriller’
album alone, but who never forgot his humble roots of Gary,
Indiana. He was an incomparable artist, dancer and entertainer
who dazzled audiences on every corner of the planet, and still
created and participated in countless charities.
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In recent years, Sharpton and Jackson
marched to Sony and fought for Jackson's rights to his
music catalogue.
Photo Courtesy of NNPA. |
Penning humanistic, moving lyrics like ‘We Are The
World’ and ‘Man In The Mirror,’ Michael
took his message well beyond the TV sets of America. He was
a true groundbreaker who paved the way for many of today’s
artists who often imitate his signature style, and a man who
relentlessly opened endless doors for African Americans to
be acceptable idols around the world. During the 1980s, music
channel MTV refused to play videos by Black musicians, but
it was Michael’s undeniable talent that won him heavy
rotation for years to come.
We as African Americans and people of all races as a whole
owe a tremendous deal to Michael Jackson. He not only set
the standard for excellence in entertainment, but maintained
a positive outlook despite all his trials and tribulations.
And in his sheer existence, he forced all of us – White,
Black and Brown – to take a good look in the mirror
at our own selves, our own truths and our own convictions.
Many attempted to vilify and defame Michael; let us not repeat
the same mistake after his passing. If he had any shortcomings,
they in no way equaled his strengths.
When we suddenly lost the Godfather of soul in 2006, Michael
was the only major artist who spoke at his funeral. I’ll
never forget when he placed his hand on James Brown and said
‘I hope he gets in death what he didn’t get in
life’. I pray the same now for my friend, my comrade
and legend Michael Jackson. I hope history will serve him
due justice and be more kind than some of our contemporary
media. And may he finally attain eternal peace.
Rev. Al Sharpton is an NNPA columnist.
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