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Should Revs. Sharpton and Jackson be involved in the Michael Jackson story?

The Field Negro | Posted June 30, 2009 10:10 AM

You know I have to keep it real with you.

That's why I want to talk about something that has been bothering me ever since we lost the King Of Pop on Thursday. It's the other half of Rev. Inc. Am I the only one who thinks that Jesse is way over the top inserting himself as the family spokesperson for the Jacksons? Like WTF? Look, maybe I am wrong, and maybe they asked him to be their spokesperson throughout this terrible time for them. But if they did, I am still not sorry about this post, because that's just the way I feel. Hey, Jesse made me this way.

He has a history.

Honestly, I know the family is upset about the circumstances surrounding the gloved ones death, not to mention the lack of access to him in the months leading up to it. (Mike's doctor has some [as Ricky Ricardo used to say] "splainin" to do) Still, where did Jesse come from? And how about the other half of Rev. Inc? He has been all over the television in this Michael Jackson news cycle as well. And he has also become somewhat of an unofficial family spokesperson. I am sorry, but we just don't need Rev. Inc. overkill right about now.

And wait; it's not only Jesse and Al. I have seen former choreographers, make up people, some guy who met Mike in a bathroom after his trial, some lawyer who worked for a lawyer who represented Mike back in the day, some guy who made a comic book about Mike; and on and on. These networks are digging up anyone they can find with some kind of connection to Mike (any connection) to jump on their station and give their two cents. I saw some lady on Geraldo and I swear they made up her bio. Who are these people that keep crawling out of the woodwork to get their own shine from this tragedy? It's sick and pathetic, and they need to stop.

If you don't have a legitimate connection to MJ, such as a family member. Or if you were not in his inner circle within say the last ten years, I don't want to hear [what] you have to say. I just don't.

Which leads me to Rev. Inc. again. They have been all over the networks. Part of it, I understand, is no fault of their own, because these networks have Jesse and Al on speed dial. Black icon dies? Call Rev. Inc. Trouble in the black community? Call Rev. Inc.

I guess my problem with Rev. Inc. is that they don't always have to answer the call.

Hi Rev. Sharpton? Yes, this is Bob, the producer from CNN. I was wondering if you could come on our network tonight and talk about Michael Jackson for us?

Well I have a sermon to deliver, but it can wait. What time do you need me?

[Original Entry]

Wain Bennett is a practicing attorney in Philadelphia who blogs at The Field Negro.

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Comments 30

Omar
2009-06-30 10:38:53

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are media whores. If any noteworthy event happens within the African-American community where the media is involved, you will see Sharpton and Jackson. Michael's death is no exception.

Stephen
2009-06-30 11:04:04

I wholeheartedly agree with your article. It is too bad that instead of focusing on the on-going issues within the Black communities throughout the US they (Al and Jesse) continue to shop around for photo-op moments and then move on to the next. These are the same reasons that so many people write them off as not having anything of substance to say. It appears that they just want the publicity and camera time so Michael's death (the hot media story) is it right now.

apres moi
2009-06-30 11:13:36

In addition to these two, we have Joe Jackson who's using his son's death as a way to get media attention for his new production studio. I really haven't watched any live TV coverage over MJ's death because I don't want to see his dad, who disgusts me, on TV.

Charles
2009-06-30 11:23:47

They want to stay relevant. Yes they suffer that human gene that craves attention. So what! I dont like the oppurtunistic approach they have either, but it doesnt disscount the amazing contributions they have both made on black peoples behalf. They have been involved with this inconic family long before now. So it's not just purely grandstanding. Although I will admit theres an obvious tone of "Look at MEismmm going on.

DCalpha
2009-06-30 11:37:35

Who the HELL made REV, Inc the voice of the black community? COULD ANY ONE PLEASE NAME ONE THING AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON DONE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY? ALL three men (Jesse AL and Papa Joe)are a huge embarrassment. PLEASE JUST GO AWAY...

Perry
2009-06-30 11:37:36

I think that Charles has made an excellent observation and I agree wholeheartedly with his statement.

Perry
2009-06-30 11:41:23

DCalpha I can name many things Jesse and Al have done for the black community, but when you make the type statement that you just wrote, why waste my time attempting when you obviously have made up your mind. Why don't you research that question for yourself before you make such a blanket statement.

Perry
2009-06-30 11:42:09

D.
2009-06-30 11:43:10

Great article and I totally agree with each of those who posted before me !!! Jesse Jackson in my opinon, is irrelevant !!! I do, however, agree with Al Sharpton's statement in that it's important that people understand that Michael was more than just a "freak" or for the media to concentrate on his surgeries, etc. Am I correct in that the family asked these two to represent them for that is what I heard reported? I am more repulsed by Joe Jackson, who we all know, is using this as an opportunity to plug his record label and keep himself in the public eye while he has the spotlight !!! This entire ordeal is starting to become a circus !!! Perhaps the best thing the family can do right now is to band together, elect one articulate and competent person from the family (I say Janet) to be the spokesperson and to keep any and all comments simple and eloquent. Any other issues they should work out behind the scenes with their lawyers,etc. This is going to be in the news for quite a while, and I certainly hope that the Revs. Jackson and Sharpton aren't the sole representatives for the family. RIP Michael !!!

DCalpha
2009-06-30 12:08:13

Perry, I don't want you to "waste your time" trying to create a single positive task of REV Inc that did not include any self promotion. You know, your right I will do some research, my first question will be why do the King Family dislike Jesse Jackson? My next question is Mr Sharpton, what ever happened to the Tawana Brawley case?

Perry
2009-06-30 12:22:03

DCalpha the King family may not like Jesse because the children cannot get any money from him. Please tell me what has the King family done besides enrich themselves from Martins work.

DCalpha
2009-06-30 12:44:11

Perry Oh don't get it twisted, I also think the King Family are very greedy, shameless, and completly live off their father's name...but my concern right now is the constant unnecessary showboating and grandstanding of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on the backs of black people.

Charles
2009-06-30 14:10:47

Could we really stand the type of corrective tounge lashing a leader would have to cut into our community with? We would be screaming off with his, or her head if we were told what we really needed to hear. It's the same approach taken in the political world, members of congress know that if they ever told the masses to get off their lazy asses and actually do the stuff that they are complaining about, that would be their last term. Same with preachers. Can we stand the WORD that they COULD come with? So all I'm saying is be careful what you wish for. We have mediocore leaders with mediocore watered down messages, and really thats all we are willing to handle.

pc
2009-06-30 14:30:46

rev inc. are media whores. we can all agree. but in a time like this with the family facing unprecedented media attention, it probably is best to have someone around (that the family is comfortable with) that knows how to handle the media. i actually heard sharpton give some semi-rational explanations for some of the craziness that escaped joe jackson's face. he spent some time talking with him in private and actually understood better what the elder jackson was unable to communicate effectively in front of the horde of cameras and microphones. they may actually be helping, so let's not throw them out too quickly.

Ostend Street
2009-06-30 14:58:30

Media whores they may be and those are not my words for them, but the family has anointed them spokesperson and if that's true then they are doing their job. They can handle it. I'm no big fan of either one; however, this is not the time to nit pick about the two Rev's.

nakia
2009-06-30 16:09:33

DON'T FORGET THE BOTH REVS GO BACK WITH THE JACKSON FAMILY FOR 30 YEARS. THEY ARE WERE NO STRANGER TO MIKE, DURING BOTH HIS TRIALS AND ARE FRIENDS WITH JOE. SO YES, I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE THERE. I WONDER WHY WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM FARRAKHAN. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MIKE'S SHOWBIX BUDDIES I HAVE SEEN/HEARD ON CNN AND OTHERS,I.E., DONNA SUMMER, QUINCY JONES, CHER,P DIDDY AND OTHERS, THESE OTHER FOLKS I DON'T KNOW WHY.

Charles
2009-06-30 17:37:45

Now thats what Im talking about. Those last three post, sounded preety rational. We are no better than the drama-hungry media, if we are so quick to react to everything with such vile contempt. That family can pick anyone they want to speak for them. Sure Al, and Jessie are grandising themselves in the moment. But wouldnt you have a little bit of an egotistical glare in your eye if you were speaking on behalf of the most famous person on earth? Lets see your humulity holds up, when the cameras in your face. But the comments from pc, Ostend Street were correct. As Slimy as Al and Jessie can be sometimes, they can sure handle the slimyness of the media. Micheal you will be greatly missed. Im only saddened that you didnt seem to enjoy all that you accomplished in your latter years. Peace.

Frichy
2009-06-30 21:13:07

Yes, they should be with Michael's family in their time of grief! They are not bottom feeding, hangers on like so many who were around Michael in his last days. Revs Sharpton and Jackson are among the people who I believe genuinely loved Michael and Michael would probably want them around.

Lurleen
2009-06-30 21:42:06

Well, in this side show which it sadly has become with all the losers who got rich covering his life and many issues back onto the "news," no reason these two should not be either, especially in light of the fact that Joe Jackson really needs to sit down and be quiet.

Cmoney
2009-06-30 22:56:24

I am more comfortable with Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton assisting the Jackson family in this time of need than the whorish lawyers and other con men who have been fleecing this uneducated but wealthy family for years. I don't think Jackson and Sharpton would take advantage of this family. Attorney Brian Oxman is one who would and one of the reasons that Rev. Jackson is there with the family. Oxman is on every TV station LYING and telling people he either represents Michael Jackson or the Jackson family. He has not been Michael Jackson's lawyer for years and he has never represented the Jackson family, yet there he is on all the network morning shows pretending like he represents the Jacksons and then casually dropping gossip about Michael Jackson's alleged drug use. NO LAWYER on retainer would EVER disparage his client like that on TV. This man is a fraud and he is one of many. I am glad Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton are there to keep creeps like Brian Oxman and Gloria Allred away from the Jackson family.

tjr
2009-06-30 22:57:11

This whole tragedy has turned into a complete circus. I couldn't agree more with this article. Personally I don't thing much of both Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. These two have been classic opportunists over the years. Joe Jackson is repulsive and continues to exploit his son after he's gone. If the family chose these two to speak for them so be it, just let MJ r.i.p.

pc
2009-06-30 23:43:00

thanks charles. cmoney...also agree w/you about Oxman. I'm also weary of Deepak Chopra. Some of the information he divulged about his "friend" at this time was more than what we needed to know. we didn't need to know that mj hit him up for a perscription...none of our business.

Cecil Jones
2009-07-01 00:55:33

You people sound like you are starting to get it? Check out "The GRIO" and speak directly to "Black Power" in America as the story develops? When we see Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton it's raining on someone in the Black family. The Circus comes to town and only they have umbrellas. Poor leadership has kept us stuck in the mud and stuck on stupid.

David
2009-07-01 01:59:24

Both of them are, MEDIA WHORES!

Justin
2009-07-01 11:51:46

At least, they both have a history and a relationship with the family. So that's understandable. I haven't anything from Pres. Obama.

Justin
2009-07-01 11:52:44

At least, they both have a history and a relationship with the family. So that's understandable. I haven't heard anything from Pres. Obama.

Ron Lee
2009-07-01 20:02:50

Alot of you don't get it, when Farah died hours earlier, the Police didn't show up at her residence and totally ransacked her home looking for drugs or pornography nor did they tow anyones' car from her home. It is well documented that Farah,Ryan & family all were big-time drug users. Thats a fact the media is ignoring. Al or Jesse needed to be there to watch how the L.A. Police State was handling this case. "Trust me" they were looking for incriminating evidence for previous cases. GET IT.

Ron Lee
2009-07-10 11:26:54

Call Showbiztonight:1(888)728-2899 and ask what drugs were in Farahs' system at time of death. Ryans'whole family are deuggies.

Andre
2009-07-28 20:27:02

Ron Lee, You are an idiot! The difference between the 2 is obvious! One would be expected to be on all kinds of drugs for cancer - battling to stay alive and out of pain! The other one is for all intents and purposes, a healthy man who suddenly has a heart attack, and dies from what might be mis-use of a precription drug, and has also been known to have a possible dependence on drugs. Try a class in reasoning 101!

DUCK
2009-07-29 20:42:00

Yes they should be involved. The media has done a good job at deminishing REV Sharpton & Jesse Jackson as opportunist and people in the black community fall for it. Tell me, who else spends time taking up these issues? REV Sharpton & Jesse Jackson have microphones. What about Jena 6 and these other issues. We would have never known about that. The Jackson family is going to be swindled big time and need all the help they can get. I work in the area of Trust/Estate and it only took me 2 minutes to read the Will and no that John Branca/John McClain scammed Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson as 40 people in his immediate famiily and no one was left in control?? And to put the nail in it, Mr Branca- who also wrote the will- put in a no contest clause to ensure he always has control. I am sure this was not properly explained to Michael because no one would agree to such terms. People need to understand the facts. Because of the way the Will is written, The Jackson family has no control, input on future projects, and no say - no one would want that. And the reason AEG does not want to reveal the contract is because they are lying about the 50 shows- Michael Jackson probably never saw that contract. It is a shame that legends like Michael Jackson and James Brown performed all of these years and in the end were controlled by greedy business partners who have nothing but there pocketbooks in mind. Future artist take note- do not give up control of your empires to your business partners. Fight on Jackson Family!!!!!!!!

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