Michael Jackson: Racist Treatment?

[chiburb]

I believe this thread fits Skinner's guidelines, in that it's about social/racism aspects of his arrest. Additionally, the snips are from a Chicago Sun-Times columnist who happens to be African-American. I realize this thread may sink like a stone since so many DUers signed Will's pledge to not post in MJ topics, but I found her column quite interesting...

Snip:

When reporters questioned the timing of the arrest -- it coincided with the release of Jackson's latest album -- Sneddon quipped: "Like the sheriff and I are really into that kind of music."

Those mocking remarks have fueled concerns that the charges were racially motivated. Although I don't believe race has a thing to do with it, it's understandable that some people disagree. After all, former D.C. Mayor Marion Berry was a "crackhead," when his drug habit was exposed while conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh had a "problem" when his abuse of pain-killers came to light.

Frankly, Sneddon's behavior reinforced perceptions that the police department was on a witch hunt.

Then there's the $3 million bail that was set in this case. Where is Jackson going to hide? Compare his bail to the $1 million bail set for record producer Phil Spector on murder charges, and you get the sneaky suspicion that Jackson is being treated a bit harshly.

Read more here:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mitchell/cst-nws-mitch23.html

[Monte Carlo]

1. Uhh... not to dismiss anything, but I think Jackson is his own race.

And not entirely of this planet.

[wndycty]

2. It might not be race it might be politics!

-snip-
Likewise I wasn’t there to witness S.B. D.A. Tom Sneddon as he had waaaayyyy too much fun bantering and sparring with the combined weight of the international media Wednesday morning, answering — or more frequently, not answering — questions about the child molestation arrest warrant issued against Man-Child-in-La-La-Land Michael Jackson. Some have suggested that Sneddon timed the search of Jackson’s Neverland digs to coincide with the release of Jackson’s latest CD release. After all, the theory goes, Sneddon never got over the fact that Jackson eluded him 10 years ago when the parents of an alleged child molestation victim opted to take the money and run — $15 million — in lieu of testifying in a criminal prosecution. I think not. My hunch is that Sneddon — a rock-ribbed Republican — timed his actions to take the media heat off George W. Bush, whose arrival in England has brought the teeming thronging multitudes out in disgust, protesting the war on Iraq. With the media so distracted, Bush could be hit with every tomato in the Commonwealth and we’d be none the wiser. Look for a grateful Bush to nominate Sneddon — now approaching retirement — to any post he’d care for.
-snip-

http://www.independent.com/opinions/opinions.html

[jsw_81]

3. So what?

Wouldn't you be thrilled if you finally caught the big fish? I sure would be. The bottom line here is that Jacko is a filthy pervert. It's sickens me to see so many people supporting him and playing the race card (which is especially ironic when you consider that Jackson's skin is whiter than 99.9 percent of the white people on earth).

Keep in mind that we're talking about a 45 year-old man who likes to sleep with (and touch) little boys who aren't even old enough to shave. Lock him up and throw away the key.

[chiburb]

4. Ah! No presumption of innocence from you?

I thought all good DUers would support due process in this country. What IF the charges ARE racially or politically motivated? He hasn't even been arraigned yet, and you have him serving life in prison. Maybe he's guilty, but doesn't that have to be proven?

[jsw_81]

5. Of course he deserves due process

But only in the court system, not on an internet message board.

[boilerbabe]

9. They've tried him and hung him, and that's wrong....n/t

[roguevalley]

32. I think its more personal animus between them

Jackson collapsed his case the first time settling with the first kid. Jackson mocked Sneddon on a song. It think they just hate each
other and Sneddon was happy to have the upper hand for a moment. Sneddon is retiring, or so I've heard. I think its that simple.

[DiverDave]

6. In our

system, it's supposed to be "innocent until proven..."
and I am going to go with that.
I consider myself not a racist and I don't listen to that music either. Based on my music preference, am I a racist too?
If they are telling the truth about how long they have been investigating this, I don't question the timing.
But, the political angle can't be discounted either :shrug:

IF it is true, he should get alot of jail, as should the PARENTS of the kids. What where they thinking??

[ProudDemocrat]

7. First of all, Michael Jackson is a black man

and we are proud of him being a part of our race. Now I'm not sure if this is based upon race, political, personal vendettas or just facts, we need to get over saying MJ is not black, not from this planet and weird. Yes, we know he's lived in a glass bubble all his life and that has definitely affected him. Yes, we know he totally rearranged his appearance. But Damn, this isn't all about all of that. This is about a man who gives his life to helping others and is accused of just the opposite. We may never understand why he does what he does, but at least let the jury find out if he's innocent or guilty. I'm sick of hearing everyone saying that he's guilty or a pervert or whatever before hearing ALL the facts.

I'm hearing that MJ's attorney has been all over this for about a year now so let's see what his side has to say. Geez.....

[jsw_81]

11. He's black?

You sure about that?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Yes he is black no matter what his skin looks like and frankly

I am really SICK of that question being asked on this board. Actor George Hamilton ruined his skin so badly by tanning that he now looks like a prune...does anyone challenge his whiteness?

Frankly, I do smell subtle racism everytime that question is asked.

Jackson's case reminds me of a case of a man that was found factually innocent here is San Diego a few years back. His name was Dale Akiki and the ONLY reason he was procecuted was because Mary Goodall the wife of Jack Goodall ( CEO of Jack In the Box) demanded the DA prosecute him or she would pull her donations to the police force. The guy suffered from hydrocephalus and scared the kids (all of whom were coached by unethical therapists.) That was his only crime but his life was ruined none-the- less.

Ask yourself this...if Jackson KNEW he were a target and HAS legal representation advising him (which he undoubtedly does)why would he continue to take people in to his private home?

[jsw_81]

20. Why?

Ask yourself this...if Jackson KNEW he were a target and HAS legal representation advising him (which he undoubtedly does)why would he continue to take people in to his private home?

Because he's probably mentally ill. Take a look at the man's (?) face for goodness sake! He's insane!

[dsc]

22. If it is a compulsion he may well

There are an awful lot of addicts in prision who did similarly spetacularly stupid things knowing the police were survailing them. Or for a more connected example one only need look at Gary Hart.

[11 Bravo]

18. He reveals himself as one strange dude with every public appearance,

just as you reveal yourself for what you are with every post. Your question is offensive, and while it aspires to subtle racism, it is actually fairly explicit.

[jsw_81]

21. Racism? Please

I'm just poking fun at a friggin child-molester. I could care less about his/her skin color. I suppose you think he's being "set up," right?

Anyway, here's another Wacko Jacko pic:



I'm sure he'll have lots of fun in prison. :D

[11 Bravo]

28. Were you in the room?

If not, then we should probably wait for the trial to play out and you probably ought to shut the fuck up. And to label him a "friggin' child molester" without benefit of so much as a preliminary hearing may not be racist, but it sure as shit is stupid.

[Hillsey]

19. Who cares? Like, so what?

[neebob]

27. He gives his life to helping others?

How exactly does he do that? I mean to a degree that you can say he gives his life to it. I'm with ya on the point of letting the jury find out; in fact, I'm beginning to think it should be against the law to go beyond reporting the basic five Ws of a trial before it begins. But you seem to think MJ is some kind of saint. What does he do that doesn't have a bottom line of promoting Michael Jackson? Name one thing.

[Muddleoftheroad]

31. Speak for yourself

I am NOT proud he is black. He is a talented artist and a fucking freak. I don't care what race, culture or ethnicity he is. I long ago lost any belief in his innocence.

[kysrsoze]

26. The presumption of innocence only applies to the presentation of evidence

In all other areas of criminal law, including arraignment and bail, there is no presumption of innocence. As far as the high bail, I believe it's due to the fact that $3M isn't a lot of money for him (plus he only needs to come up with 10%) and he is a flight risk.

Personal note:

This has NOTHING to do with racism. I believe OJ, Scott Peterson, Robert Blake, Ken Lay and Bernie Ebbers are all guilty of their alleged crimes. If anyone is guilty of child molestation, I'd be willing to bet that it is Mr. Jackson. He obviously has some serious mental problems, and he paid $20M in the 90's to keep a child from testifying in court. The thought that you can buy your way out of prosecution is disgusting and so is the presumption that this case is politically and/or racially motivated.

[boilerbabe]

8. He is guilty before being accused, not fair!!

I think that MIchael Jackson is being unfairly tried by media, before even getting a fair chance by the courts, which probably won't happen. I have a sneaking suspicion that many people are taking advantage of the fact that he likes to hang with young kids in order to get large settlements. Maybe there are more than this at work, here, but either he should just give up on his utopian idea of hanging out with kids, as it is not such a good idea in this uptight society, and especially when he has purported millions that his little friend's families can take advantage of...or he should totally disengage from people altogether, which seems to be the way society is pushing him anyway. He has enough issues with his cosmetic and other presentations to the world. ANyway, what would any of us as regular Joes do if we were in his place?
I kind of wonder, as I don't think we should be so judgemental of him, even if we don't see the rationale behind wearing face masks, etc. I have never been in the position of where i was so famous that I had to diguise myself...have any of you reading this had to worry about tabloids on your doorstep?? Think about it!! Think Hard!! He may be guilty of what they charged him with, or not. It depends on the CIRCUMSTANCES.
A lot of parents are gonna let their kids hang out with Michael Jackson, there's a co-dependancy thing going on here. and all of a sudden, the parents are freaking out?? They asked for it. So there's more to this than just a child molestation thing here. You might if you are even qualified to pass judgement (pass your credentials thru my ASS meter) think about the fact that most of the parents of these kids encouraged them to hang with Michael because they thought they would gain something. So that says a hell of a lot about how modern parents think about their kids as a bargaining tool. THINK ABOUT IT!! Don't just assume that Michael Jackson is culpable here. He has a weakness that has been obviously exploited by these people. Whatever you may think about this guy, do realize that there are people perfectly ready to take advantage of him. What would you do if you were in his place???

[donsu]

10. those mocking remarks were very unprofessional leading one to

think they were so cocky because the arrest had been well planned/set up and backed by the bushgang

it's Rove using racism to occupy the minds of americans.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

12. The Jackson scandal has little to do with race -it's about Organized Crime

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/12/105630.php

Don't forget that rich people are above the law. Want to know why Hollywood celebrities get away with things that regular people don't? Look no further than Anthony Pellicano.

I think the Republicans are tearing down some old Hollywood power centers, and while those people might have peripherally supported the Democratic party, I certainly can't claim them as allies of mine.

[ProudDemocrat]

14. No matter how many pictures anyone displays of Michael

and questions if he's black, he's stil black. No one show's a picture of deeply tanned white person and questions if that persons white. But besides all of that...

[Some Moran]

24. MJ is ashamed of being Black and has transformed the colour of his skin...

I can't accept somebody who does that to themselves as being of the race as a part of which they were born.

[ProudDemocrat]

25. I don't think anyone's asking you to ACCEPT MJ

and I think everyone, including me, has a problem with his change in skin color but just give the man a chance to defend himself in court before you call him a molester or pedaphile. That's all

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

29. NOT race - intimidation of witnesses and ORGANIZED CRIME

Anthony Pellicano threatened, beat, and spied on witnesses against his rich Hollywood clients, like Michael Jackson who used his services when one of his child victims decided to go public. THAT's what this is about.

Michael Jackson is a great talented musician, but obviously a very evil man.

[slackmaster]

13. The Santa Barbara Police WERE on a witch hunt

And a well-justified one IMO.

When there is a witch in your midst a witch hunt seems to me an appropriate response.

Compare his bail to the $1 million bail set for record producer Phil Spector on murder charges, and you get the sneaky suspicion that Jackson is being treated a bit harshly.

Or perhaps the judge in Jackson's case considers him to be more of a flight risk than did the judge in Spector's case. Jackson was also required to surrender his US Passport. News reports have not indicated that Spector had to surrender his AFAIK.

(editud 4 speling)

[LeahMira]

15. Michael is certainly unique...

...but what person who "makes it" performing isn't a tad different?

I also think the man has a few quirks that a good psychiatrist would have a field day analyzing, but I don't think he's doing what he's accused of doing. I do think that Sneddon is out to get him, and having tried several times before he's that much more determined to make something stick. I also think Sneddon has "issues" and they have next to nothing to do with race.

[Lindacooks]

23. Actually, 98% of all accusations of child abuse

are correct. False charges account for about 2% of all reported incidents, the same as any other crime.

http://members.aol.com/asherah/falsealleg.html

My dh is a director of a women's crisis center, and he says the same thing, so I have real life proof too.

[DoNotRefill]

16. The purpose of bail....

is to assure the defendant's showing up for trial. As such, one of the factors affecting bail is the wealth of the defendant.

For example, what would be unreasonable bail for somebody with a net financial worth of $20,000 is completely reasonable if the defendant has a financial worth of 20,000,000. I'd think that Jackson has more financial resources than Spectre...so his bail would be higher.

Frankly, Jackson is lucky to have received ANY bail. Given his net worth, and his international appeal (go figure) there's a very real possibility that he might pull a Polanski or a Rich and simply go overseas and not return for trial. And not having a passport isn't that big of a deal when you've got your own private jet and enough resources to buy citizenship in half a dozen countries. You've got to admit that he does seem to pose a flight risk...

[dsc]

30. The article appears to make a different case

His treatment is contrasted with other famous blacks (Kobe Bryant and R Kelly) who got into trouble via accusations of sexual misconduct. It appears to be more of a problem with the gender of his victims and to a lesser extent their age. (Kelly's vics were a little older).

I haven't a clue if he did it but he is in deep, deep, trouble. His victim could hardly be more sympathetic if he came from central casting. His perception as a whack job and a gay one to boot hardly helps. I can't see him getting an aquittal.