The Gantt Report
By: Lucius Gantt
“All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us” is a line from my favorite Michael Jackson song. Another excerpt from the same tune is, “If Martin Luther was living, he wouldn’t let this be!”
I don’t care what the news reporters and haters say, Michael Jackson did more to make people of all ages happy. He loved children, his own kids and also children around the world.
In this column, I want to talk about an aspect of Michael Jackson’s life that few want to discuss. The King of Pop was born on my birthday, August 29th but that’s not what is important. Michael Jackson, whether he knew it or not, often practiced Black Nationalism.
Black Nationalism refers to “a devotion to one’s nation” or that Black people should control the politics, economics, culture and, to a certain extent, the music of the Black community.
Michael wasn’t the first, nor the last, Black entertainer to call record company executives “racist” for their treatment of Black music artists.
However, Jackson may have been the most prominent Black entertainer to do so.
New school Black artists can try to imitate the “moon walk” or even try to stage hip and hyped concert tours and overtake the world record sales numbers of “Thriller” the top selling album of all time.
But how many of today’s artists will stand up and speak out music issues, community issues or world issues?
Remember Michael Jackson for his talent but also remember him for his courage and strength. Remember Michael Jackson for how many people he made wealthy that worked for him, cared for him and even those that sued him for righteous or unrighteous reasons.
Remember Michael Jackson as a family man that loved both his immediate family and his world family.
Remember Michael Jackson as a shrewd and successful businessman that owned the catalogue of “The Beatles” music that members of the famed British group didn’t even own.
All of our other music heroes that have gone on to the Land of Plenty from Robert Johnson, to Billie Holiday, to Otis Redding, to Jimi Hendrix and Mary Lou Williams are eagerly waiting on MJ’s arrival at the concert in the sky. Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah! Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!
Editor’s Note: See Michael Jackson– Thriller– Official Music Video and others on main page of website.
