Rev. Al Sharpton's statements about Michael Jackson were NOT racist

July 8, 12:55 PMCelebrity News ExaminerLiz Barrett

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Reverend Al Sharpton speaks at Michael Jackson's memorial. (AP Photo)

Why is it that when white conservatives decry the ills of the media, they are just critics, but when a black person does the same thing, he is a racist?  The morning after Michael Jackson's memorial service, Google's top search term is "Rev. Al Sharpton is a racist."

No. He is not.

The accusations stem from a story in the Post Chronicle — a web site that publishes syndicated news and opinion from freelance commentators — written by Jack Ryan and headlined "Rev Al Sharpton is a Racist: Michael Jackson Tribute." Who is Jack Ryan and what makes him an authority? We don't know. There is no bio note, he could be Jack Ryan the Ilinois Republican who was forced to withdraw from the 2004 senate race over an alleged sex scandal or he could be Jack Ryan AKA Joe Blow.

Ryan's first sentence claims that Al Sharpton "has offended Michael Jackson fans" with  "racially-charged allegations that Michael Jackson hasn't been treated the same as other stars who have died — because he was black." Then he quotes a statement the reverend allegedly made at a church in Los Angeles (not at Michael's memorial) as follows:

I am here because of the disgraceful and the despicable way some elements of the media have tried to destroy the legacy and image of Michael Jackson. You have had other entertainers that have had issues in their life. But you [the media] did not degrade and denigrate them...Show the same respect for Michael and Michael's family that you showed Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. I don't think the media understand who Michael was. I don't think they have any cultural significance."

Then Ryan makes his case, saying:

Perhaps Al overlooked Michael's history of child molestation allegations and 12 plastic surgeries deforming his face. Perhaps he also overlooked how much media attention Michael has received since his death - and how much praise he has received from millions around the world, including from the media - even being referred to as 'The King of Pop'."

First let us say that:

(1) We have not heard from any Michael Jackson fans or legitimate media that any of Michael Jackson's fans were offended by the reverend's remarks at the memorial on Tuesday,

(2) we find nothing racist in the quoted remarks with which Ryan takes issue,

(3) the quoted remarks do not say anything about "because he was black,"

(4) Michael was declared NOT GUILTY on all charges of child molestation,

(5) plastic surgery has nothing to do with character, and

(6) It was Elizabeth Taylor, not the media, who dubbed Michael the King of Pop and he has been called that for years.

We don't know what Al Sharpton actually said last Sunday at that church. We weren't there. But we fail to see the racist element in it. The quoted statement did not degrade anyone of another race at all. It called the media to task.

It is true that the media, both tabloid and mainstream, constantly bring up child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson even though he was fully acquitted of all charges. This constant attention has made the false accusations bear more weight than the actual findings of the court, as is obviated by the fact that a United States congressman feels free to call Michael a "pervert," "low-life" and "pedophile" in a public statement.

We're not here to defend or assault Michael Jackson's character. We're just saying it's certainly not racist — or in any way false — to say that the media has been out to get him for most of his adult life. Newspapers, magazines, television shows and Internet pages routinely refer to him as a "freak," a "psycho," "Wacko Jacko" and all of the other insulting and slanderous names repeated by the congressman from New York. He has been the subject of more media scrutiny and rumors than any celebrity in history.

So we are proud of Reverend Sharpton for pointing out what the media has routinely ignored: Michael Jackson did more than any entertainer during his lifetime to break racist barriers in the entertainment world. He gave more than any celebrity ever has — an estimated $500 million — to charity. He was the biggest international music star the world has ever known.

And yes, he did contribute greatly to a multicultural sensibility that made it possible for a presidential candidate's race to not be an issue. Reverend Sharpton was not taking anything away from President Barack Obama when he said that. He was simply talking about the cultural changes that made Obama's successful candidacy possible. (It's worth noting that the president has not disagreed.)

So enough with the racist accusations already. Al Sharpton said what needed to be said. And we are glad he did.

Watch Reverend Al Sharpton's tribute at Michael Jackson's memorial.

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