Spike Lee Plans Brooklyn Block Party For Michael Jackson's Birthday

Spike Lee is planning a Brooklyn block party in honor of Michael Jackson's birthday.

On August 29th, what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday, Lee and "the great borough of Brooklyn" will take over Fort Greene park with, according to The Root, "DJ Spinna... spinning all things Jackson, from the Jackson 5 to the Jacksons to Michael Jackson."

Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, who has already named June 30th "Spike Lee Day," is set to declare Aug. 29 "Michael Jackson Day."

Flyer below:

Comments

[DirtyDiana]

Happy Birthday to you Michael Jackson. There was a great beauty and gentility in Michael’s soul. His talents far surpassed those of his contemporaries and he yearned deeply to make the world a better place. I am saddened that the emotional pain he lived with prevented him from finding the meaning and connectedness which he longed for. Such a huge loss. Michael will always remain deep within my heart, always.

[Killashandra]

Thankyou Mr Lee. Observing from England, the inevitable sensationalist emphasis of the media, it's great that someone as respected as Spike Lee is putting his name to an aspect of Michael Jackson's legacy that is being forgotten. Yes, he was using at the end of his life, yes his appearance had become strange, but this must be put in context. Michael endured unspeakable heartbreak and suffering from being falsely accused and it clearly devastated him. This peerless, legendary, artist and humanitarian changed the face of modern music presentation, brought through some of the most incredible melodies and lyrics known, and danced like a living dream. He gave everything he had to his art and always supported his community. To hear O'Reilly, King and others say he's no representor of Black people is a huge demonstration of their ignorance of vitiligo. So what if he had surgery, Michael looked beautiful for a long time. It is time to give this rare, pure soul the respect and love he deserves. His life was painful from start to finish, yet his output remains outstanding. His greatest desire was to ' bind his soul to his work '- to be immortal. Michael, you did it and you did it better than anyone. I will be playing Mj's music on the 29th, loud and proud and I will be one of
millions. You are the legend of all legends - and no amount of hate can ever take that away.

[Killashandra]

Thankyou Mr Lee. Observing from England, the inevitable sensationalist emphasis of the media, it's great that someone as respected as Spike Lee is putting his name to an aspect of Michael Jackson's legacy that is being forgotten. Yes, he was using at the end of his life, yes his appearance had become strange, but this must be put in context. Michael endured unspeakable heartbreak and suffering from being falsely accused, and it had clearly devastated him. This peerless, legendary, artist and humanitarian changed the face of modern music presentation, brought through some of the most incredible melodies and lyrics known, and danced like a living dream. He gave everything he had to his art and always supported his community. To hear O'reilly, King and others say he's no representor of Black people is a huge demonstration of their ignorance of vitiligo. So what if he had surgery, Michael looked beautiful for a long time. It is time to give this rare, pure soul the respect and love he deserves. His life was painful from start to finish, yet his output remains outstanding. His greatest desire was to ' bind his soul to his work '- to be immortal. Michael, you did it and you did it better than anyone. I will be playing Mj's music on the 29th, loud and proud and I will be one of millions. We won't forget you Mj. You are greatest of all the legends - and no amount of hate can ever take that

[BklynBornBlog]

Well it seems a few residents have forced the party out of Brooklyn (according the NYtimes: http://fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/city-seeks-to-relocate-mj-party/)

I wrote a fuller response on my blog but:

This is was not a MICHAEL JACKSON event, it was a Fort Greene event celebrating Michael Jackson, celebrating Spike, celebrating the our historic neighborhood culture.

The people opposed to the party have a right to be opposed to everything but they've exaggerated the hypothetical dangers of an neighborhood event and inappropriately depicted the event because it doesn't match their idea of what the neighborhood is. And now they're pressuring the city to succumb to their personal view of things.

I saw on facebook (of all places) where Abby responded to a pro-party person calling them a Fascist. Before you get with the name calling start with the man in the mirror.

My opinion, if this event is moved somewhere else, if the city succumbs to the misinformation being put out there then an irreparable wedge will be permanently driven into the heart of the neighborhood which has still managed to be united by the good intentions of diverse neighborhoods despite the arrogant sense of entitlement that represents the downside of gentrification.

People's concerns should be addressed. One view of the neighborhood should not be able to bulldoze other citizens and in fact histo

http://umbrooklynborn.blogspot.com/2009/08/community-is-bigger-than-one-person.html

[Debby Lyn]

Sounds like lots of fun!!!

[ItHadToBeSaid]

Way to go, Spike!! Celebrate his life, his music, and his spirit !! Get your groove on, New York!

[katedog]

I'll be there.

[Madmac]

Great Idea. Wish I could be there.

[MacManLB]

There are people on this thread who are actually bashing Spike Lee for throwing a block part! Can a brother get a break some time? Go bash Bret Favre there is a story about him that just got posted. Leave Spike and all other brothers along for one day. Thanks!

[LMPE]

Even though the King of Pop was white the last twenty years of his life?

[MacManLB]

The one blessing is that we don't have to keep the white Michael Jackson in the forefront of our minds. We can remember the handsome Michael Jackson. It's like when white folks choose to forget about the fat, bloated, addicted Elvis but keep the young virile gyrating Elvis on their postage stamps.

[ItHadToBeSaid]

Touche !!!!!

[lwyte2033]

You people are ridiculous. There was no "white" Michael Jackson. Just liike AA albino is still considered black so was Mike. Give the man a break even in death. Lord! He lost his pigmentation! Jeez!

[pensivenubian3]

People - BLACKS love Michael Jackson. Examine yourselves and ask why is it that this society tries so hard always to extinguish any form of love of blacks attempt to bestow upon one another? Can't you see that the society (lead by keepers of social status quo) did to Michael what the same social status quo keepers are doing to health care?

Ask yourslef, "where is your vitriol for Woody Allen?" Wasn't he loving his adopted under-aged daughter in the same house with his wife Mia Farrow? Later married the child? Why is he not demonized and forever called out of his name? Is it because he is not black?

Puh-leeze.­.. gimme a friggin break. Michael forever rocks my world!

I will DEFINITELY be at the party for MJJ's Day. And lo and behold - it also is my father's b-day. And I know that he is on the other side welcoming MJJ with open arms. And loving the hell out of HIM!

[lwyte2033]

Thanks, pensive..

I'tl be there too!

[pensivenubian3]

Give hate a rest! Hate blinds working-poor, uninsured, whites from supporting a health care that is would CLEARLY be in their interests. Hate also tries to make loyal fans into loathers of Michael Joseph Jackson (a beloved hero).

What is wrong with you hateful people? Until Michael Jackson starting breaking records (killing Elvis and the Beetles) - first came the death threats. Then came the industry blackballing. And they made him into a freak show and tried to turn public opinion against him. S*ny undermarketed his albums to try to force him into bankruptcy and to steal his assets. Sure, he was a troubled souL. Who wouldn't be walking in his shoes. BUT he was much, much more than his troubles. All his songs are about love, and positivity -- and they make billions instantly HAPPY upon hearing them. That is why Pepsi wanted him endorsing their products.

Michael fully used all of his as a humanitarian and ambassador for peace and love. He always tried to do what was right and good.

[skunky93]

I might go! That sounds great! I'm really excited but I ain't stuuup-ed.­..where'd I put my bulletproof vest? Gotta make sure I'm ready...

[ginsushark]

If only John Wayne Gacy was a more popular clown. all would be forgiven.

[MillerMan]

Oh find something better to do besides trying to ride MJ's funeral coat tails.