Michael Jackson, a Black man who became the world’s biggest superstar was bigger than The Beatles and Elvis Presley. This made some mostly white media people uncomfortable. Even though they saw his talent, they tried to make his success seem smaller and spread false stories about his changing looks, saying he wanted to “become white” when he actually had a skin condition called vitiligo.
The media’s attacks weren’t just about race; they often go after celebrities, but with Michael, it felt personal. They mocked his lifestyle, his love for children, and his magical Neverland Ranch. They even falsely accused him of inappropriate behaviour with kids, despite no real evidence. Negative stories sold, and Michael was a prime target.
Michael also faced criticism for using his fame to speak out on important issues. His songs, like “They Don’t Care About Us,” challenged powerful people and exposed issues like government corruption and white privilege. Michael said, “As soon as ‘Thriller’ became the greatest selling album of all time, the media did everything in its power to turn the public against me.” Unfortunately, this was true. The media wanted to damage the legacy of a Black man who achieved great success.
