Michael Jackson, from the time he became interested in music to the time of his unfortunate death, was a true James Brown fan. Many times, he even attributed his performance style to watching and idolizing the Godfather of Soul while he was growing up. Not only did Jackson admire Brown’s musical performances, but he also embraced his constant promotion of black pride. For that reason, Jackson would not appreciate a white man playing him in a movie.
Joseph Fiennes, a white man from London, will play Michael Jackson in an upcoming comedy film titled “Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon.” The movie is about a road trip Jackson takes the night before 9/11 with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando. Many people will probably find it harmless that they casted a white man for this role, but it’s inappropriate and disrespectful to the wishes of the late Jackson.
Those who support this decision claim that, due to Jackson’s skin condition, a white man playing him would suffice. However, having vitiligo does not equate to being white, and, furthermore, after photos leaked of Jackson’s skin condition, critics roared that he was bleaching. If that wasn’t enough, rumors spread that not only was Jackson bleaching his skin to be white but also that he agreed to have a white little boy play him as a child in a commercial.
It’s as if people forgot that Jackson told Oprah Winfrey in a 1993 interview that he never wanted a white actor to play him. Oprah asked Michael if his skin was lighter because he did not like being black, and he said, “No, I have vitiligo.” He said, despite his condition, he is and will always be a proud black American. Are we not supposed to honor the wishes of the deceased?
When the casting news came out, some people probably thought, “OK, maybe this guy looks just like Michael Jackson reincarnated, and that’s why they really chose him for this role.” However, there are absolutely no similarities between the two. Side by side, they look nothing alike. With the amount of makeup it will take to make him actually look like Jackson, they might as well have casted a black man.
There’s no reason to believe that there were not any black men sufficient enough to play this role. Furthermore, with all the upcoming and current black comedians in this world, there is no way not one of them could have played this role. How is the man known for playing in “Shakespeare in Love” supposed to play the comedic role of a black pop icon?
If they really wanted a successful comedy, Chris Tucker, a well-known black comedian and Michael Jackson fanatic, would have done this role more than justice. With movie makeup technology rapidly advancing, he would have looked like him and danced like him, too.
People should honor black icons like Jackson for their success, especially when they do so in the midst of a world that disliked them because of the color of their skin. A white man playing a black icon takes away from the importance of black empowerment and success, and, especially in this case, it mocks Jackson’s skin condition and wishes.
