Obama Owes a Lot to Michael Jackson -- Where's the Thanks?

Al Sharpton said 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 with music what they later did in sports, in politics and in television."

If there is such a thing as 'post-racial', Jackson was probably the first and most visible international post-racial figure that this country has ever produced. He made history uniting not only Americans, but the world through his music, much in the same way Obama has done with his campaign.

It's surprising therefore, that a day after the news of Michael Jackson's death and with the nation deep in mourning, President Obama has not personally acknowledged a man who helped paved the way for his election.

Although the president released a brief statement through his press secretary Robert Gibbs on Friday afternoon, much was left unsaid. He was characteristically cautious, aiming to strike a political balance when he called Michael Jackson a "spectacular performer" whose life was "sad and tragic."

Although in later years Jackson became a controversial personality, there is no doubt that Barack Obama owes much to Michael Jackson's shattering racial barriers. Yet so far the president has failed to voice any acknowledgment of the cultural, racial and historical impact of Michael Jackson's work.

Jackson was one of the first African-American artists to open the floodgates for global acceptance of African-American culture. His success spanned cultures, continents and generations and for the past 45 years he touched the hearts and minds of countless individuals. He has shaped the very fabric of America and in many ways; Barack Obama's groundbreaking achievements and his influence on the nation make him akin to a present day political version of Michael Jackson.

The president shouldn't overlook Michael Jackson's importance. He was far from simply an entertainer.

On this, the president risks of looking completely out of touch not only with America, but with the rest of the world.

This piece was originally published at www.theGrio.com

Follow Lola Adesioye on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lolaadesioye

Comments

[Nigel Campbell]

(continued from below)

"...he was widely believed," is said to be the imprimatur of American society. If a number of people believe it, regardless of factuality, then it has to be true. Worse yet, "either you are with us (in our belief) or you are against us." That Bushism has now gone forward to Obama.

Years ago, when Bill Clinton was campaigning, he campaigned to reverse a Bush Sr. policy of repatriating Haitians caught at sea coming to America, to give them parity with Cubans caught in the same circumstances. Days after winning the election, he said and did otherwise with a reason only Americans would understand. He was an American president! When Obama campaigned, Black Caribbeans like me, felt a genetic pride that "one of us" was making it, however remote the connection really was between us. After his win, he settled in and became just another American President, this one from Hawaii via Kansas! His African roots are as plain as his skin, but he is an American, and he is proud of those mid-western roots. Votes count, and they don't have colours.

The US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently shot down a congressional resolution by Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) honouring Michael, and the members of the Congressional Black Caucus did not wholly endorse it either. There was a coolness from them. A moment of silence. Nothing to say. No love for Michael J.

[arizonawonder]

Michael Jackson is an artist. Artists are cultural ambassadors to the world. And as such they change and convert minds when wars, broken treaties, and ignorance abounds. Michael Jackson's relevancy is right up there with Charlie Chaplin, The Beatles, Picasso, and other modern cultural icons. America's greatest strength has always been it's export of art. Yes, President Obama should acknowledge him. But not through a spokesperson or proxy, but as the leader of a mighty nation whose greatest soft power is art.

[BeulahBell]

How utterly silly!

[mypov123]

Music, in my opinion, is the greatest unifier of people from all walks of life, more so than politics or any other field. And Michael Jackson is, in my opinion, the greatest example of how music can bring people from all over the world together who can share in common their love for Michael Jackson's music and talent as an entertainer. I agree that he helped to pave the way for "mainstream" acceptance of Black people and our culture through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer, and his worldwide popularity certainly paved the way for the successes of other Black people such as Barack Obama. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs flippant response about Michael Jackson's death during the press briefing was unfortunate, and it's not surprising that there was some backlash about that.

[Aristippos]

Ms. Adesioye,

i never heard of your Grio before, but after your comments here, had to go now and look at what that is.

Please, stick to story telling and forget analysis.

Those who speak and write should always remember 2 things:
-it is not an obligation to speak, just because one speaks a language
-it is not an obligation to comment, just because one has seen something

In my opinion, you are making too much about nothing.

cheers.

[blondecuban]

Oh, please. President Obama owes NOTHING to Michael Jackson and everything to Martin Luther King and those involved in the civil rights movement. Michael Jackson was nothing more than a singer and entertainer. His life had no depth as his passing has shown. He was a mentally ill man who lived most of his life in self-destruct mode, addicted to drugs, inappropriately involved with children. I can appreciate Michael's talent, but it stops there. Why is everyone so hell bent on making more of him than there was? He was not a good role model. He was just a guy with exceptional music talent who could not live a full and normal life -- not because it wasn't possible but because he loathed himself.

[BeulahBell]

Don't be ridiculous. Little Richard opened the door for MJ long before he was born.

[blondecuban]

And even so, Little Richard had no impact on Obama's presidency and success.

[Hartwell]

What is this? People kill me when they suggest what someone else should be saying on such a personal level. Maybe Barack Obama did not care for Michael Jacksons antics. Maybe he took it personal when Michael held his baby over the railing and placed him in danger.

Don't get me wrong, I was sad when I heard the news, as Michael did have a great influence on our culture with his music and it is quite hard to dislike the man.

Why doesn't Barack Obama just get a checklist from everyone in the world saying who he should thank and hold to certain standards so he does not miss anyone. This is a man with two young daughters and should be able to express his condolences whatever way he chooses.

This reminds me of when someone passes away and another person asks you if you are going to the funeral and you reply "no". The person then looks at you with such dissapointment as is if you are supposed to respond in a certain way. People make their own decisions about how they are going to react and they should be allowed to do so without ridiculous judgement.

[jhNY]

Like everybody else, I know Jackson was an entertainer of transendent talent, and I am genuinely shocked and sorry that he died. But Al Sharpton has overstated his impact on the American culture, or rather, has understated the impact of earlier black achievers in the realm of sports , politics and entertainment.

Obama sent his condolences to the Jackson family. I feel certain they appreciated his message to them. Hard to see why it's necessary work up a controversy on the subject, and I doubt anybody in the family would be pleased to see anyone attempt to do so.

[nisha]

I think the President should acknowledge Michael Jackson's breakthrough career, if perhaps not his debt to that career, since that is somewhat indirect. Things happen incrementally, though, so Michael Jackson did pave some of the way for Barack Obama.

[Cerebrl]

I think we should stop the hero worship. It is best that we concentrate on the stuff that matters. MJ was a great performer and musician in the 80's. That's it. Nothing more. He does not deserve anyone's worship. Everyone's a human being no better no worse than the Jon Doe down the street.

As for President Obama, he owes everything to everything. If it were not for gravity being just the right strength, he would not be able to exist much less be President of the United States. If it were not for the creation of the controled fire, domestication, agriculture ... Obama may be half black, but that does not make him obligated to anything. I have taken care of innercity kids that think they are obligated to speak "black" just because of their skin color. That's ridiculous, just like this MJ thing.

If you personally knew him, you get my condolences. If not, sorry but we need to be more resilient and realistic.

[Cerebrl]

[Crissy Patters]

I am still waiting for the president to come out and give an official passionate statement about the worlds loss of an icon. I can't believe he thinks the half baked statement Gibbs gave on Friday was sufficient.

[Schaz]

If you knew him personally, I'm sorry for your loss.

"He has shaped the very fabric of America and in many ways; Barack Obama's groundbreaking achievements and his influence on the nation make him akin to a present day political version of Michael Jackson."

Michael Jackson was a talented performer who had a number of popular songs, and it's a shame that he died prematurely. But the statement I pasted above from the post is as farfetched as Limbaugh's attribution of Sanford's affair to President Obama.

"On this, the president risks of (sic) looking completely out of touch not only with America, but with the rest of the world." Hardly. That the president said anything at all is more than adequate.

[stell]

Good article. Obama is all about polls. If he expressed any admiration for Michael he must think it wouldn't go over well. Obama owes everything he has to his African heritage, which makes him a novelty. Of course, he probably thinks it's just him because of his huge ego. His policies were no different or any more liberal that Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, etc. He made it through because the race problem is the largest one of them all that remains unsolved. Solve the race problem, and you solve every other problem by the end of the working day.

[DC10]

I don't recall if U.S. Presidents make formal written statements about entertainers dying, especially if they had no personal relationship with them. If the trifling White House correspondents had asked Obama about MJ at his press conference with Merkel the day after MJ died, I'm sure he would have responded. As much as I loved MJ's talent and appreciate all the barriers he broke, Americans are very divided on him , While many mourn the loss, the American TV and blogosphere seems filled with just as many, if not more, people labeling him a pedophile/criminal. This negative image of him, unfair as it may be, has largely replaced his earlier positive image.

[Lola Adesioye - Huffpost Blogger]

Jimmy Carter made a statement about Elvis dying. Here it is below. He acknowledged Elvis as far more than just a singer...

Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country.

[Hartwell]

Noted. But What if Barack Obama has a certain opinion about Michael Jackson? In my opinion we have got to stop forcing our expectations on people. He owes nothing but what he felt was appropriate.

Maybe he believed the allegations of child molestation and felt a certain way as he has two children of his own. Who knows.

[allonfla]

Give me a break!

[Teas]

You have GOT to be kidding!!!!!!!!!

[allonfla]

No - I'm not. Where's The Thanks? What the heck! Over at The Root, a columnist asked why Obama doesn't talk about the Spike Lee movie Do The Right Thing that had it's anniversary recently, then I saw another article saying the White House broke it's silence about MJ's death - huh?!

Why does Barack Obama have to recognize and give a vocal shout out to everything and anything Black? Obama knows his history and is only slightly younger than Jackson. Just because he is not out declaring a holiday does not mean his death did not touch him and doesn't mean he does not recognize MJ's role and affect on the world. I'm basically tired of people demanding that Obama prove his Blackness. It goes back to the beginning of his campaign where it was being said that he wasn't Black enough.