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The king of pop's progressive impact
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Michael Jackson performs "Billie Jean" at Motown's 25
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"The responsibility of an artist representing an oppressed people is to make revolution irresistible." - Toni Cade Bambara
Music has long been a vehicle for social change and a bridge across the racial divide. Jackson's ability to reach the masses was uncanny, only rivaling that of international icons such as Jamaica's Bob Marley and Nigeria's Fela Kuti. As a child he brought African-American soul music to the mainstream and in his adulthood revolutionized pop music with an array of global influences in music and dance . Songs such as 'Man in the Mirror,' 'Black or White,' 'Earth Song,' and 'We are the World,' spawned many movements through its choruses and catchy hooks. Few artists mastered his ability to deliver a message and marketability.
Michael Jackson indeed did invoke a revolution. As the most influential artist of our generation his music crossed all genres of race, nationality, age, class, and language. There is not a corner of the world in which you will not hear 'ABC', 'Billie Jean,' and 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough'.
Coming out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and a century of Jim Crow segregation laws, Michael and his brothers endeared themselves to white audiences around the country as the Jackson 5. And as a solo artist, his video Thriller single-handedly broke the color barrier on MTV at a time in which no African-American artists were featured on the burgeoning music video channel. When few in this country dared care about Africa and a world beyond their understanding, he penned 'We Are the World,' a musical collaboration that raised $50 million dollars to end hunger and famine on the continent.
When news of Michael Jackson's death hit Thursday afternoon, the world cried out. Who else's death could overshadow the passing of an angel (Charlie's Angels' Farrah Fawcett)?
Though many balked as his hair became straighter, his nose thinner, and his skin lighter as the years waged on, he was still 'our' little Michael. Michael Jackson perhaps accomplished more for African-American artists in his short 50 years than other greats before him combined. For as troubled and problematic as his life had become: reclusion, excessive spending, allegations of child molestation, and a battle with prescription drugs; his muscial influence never waned. Countries around the world continued to honor and award him with the industry's top honors until his death.
After not having toured for 12 years, tickets for Jackson's 50 show comeback concert series sold out in fours hours and would have reportedly made $400 million. No other person in the world had the power Michael Jackson had. Let alone another person of color.
Reverend Al Sharpton described it best, "Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama. Michael did it with music." Reverend Al Sharpton
Michael Jackson's revolution was, is, and forever will be irresistible. Gone too soon ...
