Addicted to Race 108: Remembering Michael Jackson
by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Addicted to Race is New Demographic’s podcast about America’s obsession with race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:
We dedicate this episode to the memory of Michael Jackson and explore the role that race played in his life and career. In what ways did his music break racial barriers? What did the changes in his physical appearance say about his relationship to his racial identity? Carmen Van Kerckhove and Arturo Garcia discuss.
Right-click here to download an MP3 of Addicted to Race Episode 108
or
Click here to never miss an episode by subscribing to us in iTunes
or
click the button below to play it immediately
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
t. allen-mercado wrote:
Listening to this and really thinking deeply about the way victims of abuse feel; the self loathing, the blame. It doesn’t seem so far-fetched that the changes in his appearance were the byproduct of a deep self loathing not of a whole race. When you’re in the throes of emotional trauma, does one have time to think about what a whole community thinks/believes about one’s motives?
The comment the caller made about non-blacks and their oft-ignored efforts to look more ethnic was a valid point and one of the noticeable but seldom spoken differences in black vs non-black communities. As a black woman it has always been clear to me that I am being judged first for being black, then a woman and lastly an individual. Maybe MJ was just being himself.
Posted 28 Jun 2009 at 8:09 pm ¶
Olivia wrote:
I’m totally in agreement, T.
Self-esteem is about the one self.
Posted 29 Jun 2009 at 7:19 am ¶
Restructure! wrote:
*rolls her eyes at the White Canadian caller*
Posted 29 Jun 2009 at 4:27 pm ¶
chairo wrote:
@restructure!
I just had to smile at her consistent stream of wtf
“that’s why jesus came down as a white man.”
WTF!
Posted 29 Jun 2009 at 7:18 pm ¶
Roger Green wrote:
Obama’s election means racism is over in America! Hurray!
Oh…it’s not?
Posted 30 Jun 2009 at 10:59 am ¶