MICHAEL JACKSON: VICTIM OF MEDIA MONEY MACHINE I
By Vicky Gholson, Ph.D.
When we find ourselves having produced one of the most
powerful and influential entertainment history leaders, it
is ironic we render ourselves silent in the face of
assault—not the assault of an industry, but the assault of
the mere idea that a man of African descent can be a master
of Black images and obtain massive wealth in the process.
Michael Jackson is a smokescreen in a continuous media
machine to reduce our image to the distortion normally
displayed by the news media. Michael has taken the Black
image and given it the dignity and prominence it had not
seen in years. (Forget about his current skin color:
Remember the African images in the “Remember The Time”
video, which was released during Black History Month?
Remember the multicultural focus and rage expressed in the
“Black or White” video?)
People have been mesmerized by the soap opera of
non-information. What is at fault is an industry created for
the development of mediocre talent, at best. What has not
been called into question—with the notable exception of the
Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP—is the lack of
journalistic responsibility in transmitting, for the most
part, tales of gossip.
Too often we forget that the aim of the mass media is to
influence public opinion. On the 6 o’clock news, we witness
a daily bloodletting of those of African descent being
sacrificed to maintain the image of purity.
The artist is involved in creative processes which fosters
independent thought and action. He or she is feared by those
who have no command of those processes.
Within Corporate America, the self-esteem, humanistic spirit
and aspirations of African-Americans are being controlled,
suppressed and altered every day. Too often, Black workers’
earnings are used as a barometer for others who are rewarded
when they surpass it.
With this in mind, the media assault against Michael Jackson
has created money to be spent, new personalities to be
quoted, and increases in audiences for tabloid TV shows and
rags that would not normally be doing this well in an
unstable economy. (I am reminded of the photographers that
nearly crushed the Jackson women while trying to get a shot
of the men during a 1984 “Victory Tour” press conference in
New York City.)
Why is it that these accusations have mostly been carried in
news pages, but when Jackson receives a standing ovation at
the recent NAACP Image Awards, it’s just a small item in the
entertainment sections?
Isn’t there a historical pattern of using Blacks to react to
a depressed economy? These accusations could have come years ago; so why have they come now, in the wake of urban
rebellions, the downsizing of Corporate America and the
general lackluster of today’s media events?
The problem is between those who control the creative
process and those who control the money. The latter would
rather destroy the former than co-exist.
MICHAEL JACKSON: VICTIM OF MEDIA MONEY MACHINE II
Jealousy is behind the Michael Jackson media assault.
Adults have removed a figure that has supplied three
generations of children with rhyme, lyric and image to cope
with the cynicism of adulthood. The children are the
victims, the psychological casualties of this mass media war
for power and of greed.
For an entire industry to react so singularly, so
irresponsibly, is frightening. Why? It was knowing the power
and enormous wealth of a 35-year-old man. Many are working
overtime to figure out how to tie up his money or get as
much of it as possible. This is particularly true of those
who not only have no clue to how the creative process works,
but openly resent those who obtain such power. Those who
can’t put the King in check knock all of the pieces off the
table.
However, we have a clue on the level of a mother’s
anguish—Katherine Jackson’s anguish—of watching her child
absorb such negative energy.
It is an indictment of the mass media that they have not
interviewed the mothers of every child who allegedly had a
negative interaction with Michael Jackson.
Where are the adults in this crisis? Where were they during
these alleged incidents? Why aren’t ALL the adults
undergoing the same media character assassination as is
Michael Jackson? If something did happen, then ALL the
adults are responsible.
If Michael Jackson is guilty of anything, it’s of not listening
to his one sincere guide—his mother, Katherine. She has
demonstrated the strength of the African mother. She has to,
because no entertainment family has had to endure the public
assault hers have.
It’s time for the African village to become loud, demanding
and supportive of our cultural contributors. We must never
be allowed to look back and see that we participated, by
omission, in the destruction of one of our greatest cultural
diplomats just because the media saw nothing happening of
note recently in Buckingham Palace!
As for Michael Jackson, he must purge those who are disloyal
to him in order to avoid a repeat of this situation.
He must also take his creative energy and channel it into
his art. It will only lead to his greatest work.
His creativity will lead to his healing. In the struggle,
any warrior must focus on his or her strengths. His or her
relationship to the village is to absorb, share and inspire.
This process ensures victory.
Copyright 1994, 2009 by Vicky Gholson, Ph.D.
VICKY GHOLSON, PH.D. is a media specialist with more than 30 years experience in all aspects of mass media. Her email is vfre2bme@yahoo.com.
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