Jackson Shattered Racial Barriers

ABC's Pierre Thomas reports from Washington: Nat King Cole. Sidney Poitier. Sammy Davis Jr. Jackie Robinson. Michael Jackson. As we think of Michael Jackson and his impact, we should also probably consider his role in the evolution of race in America and the psyche of African Americans as well. Nat King Cole, who actually had his own television show, and Sammy Davis Jr., singer and film star, each broke down barriers in the 1950s and 1960s and showed that their appeal stretched beyond that of the African American community.   But Michael Jackson was perhaps the first entertainer/public figure that cold hard data (record sales) proved was pretty much completely embraced by the full American society and internationally. Little boys– of all races— wanted to dress like him and little girls— of all races—had his pictures on their bedroom walls and in their lockers at school. It was a clear signal that society was changing that this black man was so embraced and influential. You could make the argument that Jackson paved the way, or at least, suggested that a Bill Cosby and a Oprah Winfrey could attain the highest heights. Some might even include Pres. Barack Obama in this lineage. 
As a youngster of color watching Jackson, I can tell you that many African Americans were extraordinarily proud of the Jackson Five and Michael Jackson’s early success as a singular star. But as with all things Michael Jackson—his story is complex and has a darker side. Of course there is the issue of his relationship with children and whether it was appropriate and his other eccentric/bizarre behaviors. And many people of color watched with some pain as he appeared to morph himself into a white person. To watch his hair -skin color—and facial features change so dramatically made many wonder : why? Strange thing, many of us thought, Michael Jackson did not realize that the country’s love affair with him began when he was simply a little black boy and later a teenage with extraordinary talent.