Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Even as a Kid, Michael Changed the Game

Black community adopted him as pioneer

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2009 6:53 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Michael Jackson took Hollywood with Ben in 1972, at a time when few black Americans had shaped the industry. “Little Michael landed upon the mindset of film-hungry black America when its citizenry was starved for identity on the big screen,” writes Wil Haygood in the Washington Post. The black community took him under its wing, and took pride in him as he grew.

“He was a little brother; he was a precious boy; he was like the prodigy in your own church.” His huge success made him the talk of the town. “It seemed as if he could snap his finger and make something happen,” Haygood notes. “The Wizard of Odd, yes, but in black America, Michael was a pioneer. Michael was a kid, and allowances must be made for kids.”

People buy newspapers reporting the death of Michael Jackson from a vendor outside Tooting Broadway underground station in south London, Friday June 26, 2009.
People buy newspapers reporting the death of Michael Jackson from a vendor outside Tooting Broadway underground station in south London, Friday June 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
American singer Michael Jackson poses at a hotel while on tour with Jackson 5, London, England, November 1972.
American singer Michael Jackson poses at a hotel while on tour with Jackson 5, London, England, November 1972.   (Getty Images)
American singers Michael Jackson (left) and Donny Osmond (right) clasp hands while posing with child actor Ricky Segall at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, 1974.
American singers Michael Jackson (left) and Donny Osmond (right) clasp hands while posing with child actor Ricky Segall at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, 1974.   (Getty Images)
Soul pop group the Jackson Five, comprising of the Jackson brothers (left to right) Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Michael, Marlon and at the back, Randy.
Soul pop group the Jackson Five, comprising of the Jackson brothers (left to right) Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Michael, Marlon and at the back, Randy.   (Getty Images)
American pop star Michael Jackson in concert, 1984.
American pop star Michael Jackson in concert, 1984.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Jun 26, 2009 12:42 PM CDT
Allowances must be made for kids. Michael Jackson was a 50 year old man. I grew up watching Michael Jackson from day 1 and I still love his music and there is no denying that he was great at what he did, but what America seems to forget, is that he was also a child molester who went broke paying of those families of children that he molested. He has been elevated to a godlike status and he was far from it.
BeatBlaster
Jun 26, 2009 4:17 AM CDT
Why is all of his hard work being wiped away because of accusations that he was never proven guilty of? I'm not saying he did or didn't. I'm just saying that it's unfair to deny he had a very strong impact on a great portion of the world because he did. I separate the professional stuff from the personal stuff. That's his business, not mine.

He broke generational barriers, too
Washington Post

 
music • race • culture • black culture • Michael Jackson • women's issues

More Newser Stories

Jacko Was 'Wasted' After Seeing Skin Doc

Dad Blames Mom for Michael Jackson's Death

Michael Jackson's Kids Thank His Fans

Michael Jackson Doc to Face Manslaughter Charge

That's Me Singing With Michael Jackson: Lenny Kravitz
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne