Controversial Fox talk show host Bill O’Reilly invited Reverend Al Sharpton on the O’Reilly Factor to debate Michael Jackson’s memorial service. O’Reilly is frustrated at the media for giving extensive coverage to the MJ funeral and disagrees that Michael Jackson helped anyone and should not be remembered as an “African-American icon”.
Rev. Al Sharpton explain that Michael Jackson did do alot of memorable charity work and opened doors for African-American entertainers. In the 1980’s MTV was not playing African-American music videos on their channel and only broke their “Rock only” playlist rules for Michael Jackson after his label insisted they modify their policy. Michael Jackson re-invented the music genre with his short film video for “Thriller” which became a smash hit.
It seemed for a while that nobody could say no to a Jackson video — not MTV, which broke its own rock mold to play “Billie Jean,” at his label’s insistence; not network TV, which also premiered Jackson’s videos; and not the people who took the then-unheard-of step of buying the “Thriller” video and its making-of documentary on videocassette — which were packaged together and sold more than 1 million copies, director John Landis told Fangoria magazine in a video interview. That’s an even bigger feat considering that VCRs weren’t omnipresent at the time. [source]
Talk show host Bill O’Reilly decided to drink some of the Peter King haterade and get in on the anti-Michael Jackson rants to complain about how the media is remembering the pop star. O’Reilly even goes on to say that he doesn’t know why African-Americans are relating to Michael because he wasn’t Black anymore because of his rumored extensive plastic surgery.
Bill O’Reilly voiced astonishment at a Pew study showing black Americans to be much more engaged in the coverage of Michael Jackson’s death “even though Michael Jackson has white children — and he chose to have white children — and the face deal, don’t even want to get into.”
O’Reilly returned to the issue of Jackson and race tonight during a vigorous debate with Columbia University professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. O’Reilly criticized Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson Jr. and others for turning this into a “racial deal,” saying there is no racial component and that it’s foolish for black Americans to exult Jackson as a black icon when he “bleached his face” and had white children: “You don’t become an African-American icon when you do something like that.” [source]
Look just because Michael Jackson had his own issues with loving the image he saw in the mirror doesn’t mean that the world didn’t love him. The talented little Black boy who danced and sang his way into everyone’s hearts at the Apollo was the same man-child who died. The world saw the purity of Michael Jackson’s heart.
Michael Jackson was a global humanitarian who was named by the Guiness Book of World records for supporting the most charities. Here are just some examples of Jackson’s charity work.
January 10, 1984: Michael visits the unit for burn victims at Brotman-Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.
April 9, 1984: David Smithee, a 14-year-old boy who suffers from cystic fibroses is invited to Michael’s home. It was David’s last wish to meet Michael. He dies 7 weeks later.
April 14, 1984: Michael equips a 19-bed-unit at Mount Senai New York Medical Center. This center is part of the T.J. Martell-Foundation for leukemia and cancer research.
July 5, 1984: During the Jackson’s press conference at Tavern On The Green, Michael announces that his part of the earnings from the Victory Tour will be donated to three charitable organizations: The United Negro College Fund, Camp Good Times, and the T.J. Martell-Foundation.
July 14, 1984: After the first concert of the Victory Tour, Michael meets 8 terminally ill children backstage.
December 13, 1984: Michael visits the Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he had been treated when he was burned very badly during the producing of a Pepsi commercial. He donates all the money he receives from Pepsi, $1.5 million, to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children.
January 28, 1985: Michael and 44 other artists meet to record “We Are The World”, written by Michael and Lionel Ritchie. The proceeds of this record are donated to the starving people in Africa.
1986: Michael set up the “Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund”. This $1.5 million fund is aimed towards students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a UNCF member college or university.
February 28, 1986: After having had a heart-transplant, 14-year-old Donna Ashlock from California gets a call from Michael Jackson. He had heard that she is a big fan of his. Michael invites her to his home as soon as she is feeling better. This visit takes place on March 8th. Donna stays for dinner and watches a movie together with Michael.
September 13, 1987: Michael supports a campaign against racism. He supports efforts of the NAACP, to fight prejudices against black artists.
October 1987: At the end of his Bad Tour, Michael donates some personal items to the UNESCO for a charitable auction. The proceeds will be for the education of children in developing countries.
February 1, 1988: The Song “Man In the Mirror” enters the charts. The proceeds from the sales of this record goes to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who suffer from cancer.
March 1, 1988: At a press conference held by his sponsor Pepsi, Michael presents a $600,000 check to the United Negro College Fund.
April 1988: Free tickets are given away for three concerts in Atlanta, Georgia to the Make A Wish Foundation.
May 22, 1988: Michael visits children who suffer from cancer in the Bambini-Gesu Children’s Hospital in Rome. He signs autographs and gives away sweets and records to the little patients. He promises a check of 100,000 pounds to the hospital. [source]
We will all remember Michael Jackson as the greatest entertainer who ever lived. No one can dictate to the African-American community who can be deemed a pop icon, child prodigy, global humanitarian or a political leader. The King of Pop Michael Jackson was all of these things and more. Rest in Peace Michael.
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