If Michael was abused as a child, why, then is everyone so happy that the same parents will now raise his children?

anderson,
good for you for not letting al sharpton get away with the lie that joe jackson was asked about his new record co.when he was clearly asked how's the family doing.you called him on it and he started back peddling.that is why i like watching you on 360,the facts,just the facts,no lies or spin!

I don't think that Michael hated his race I think he just hated himself and his features. His dad constantly belittled him about his big nose and his bad skin when he was a teen. The whole family did. I think that always stuck with him and he tried to change himself so he wouldn't look the way he did when he was young and got teased and degraded.

He did the plastic surgery to do away with the big nose but in his eyes he still saw the big nose therefore he kept doing surgeries on it even though he didn't need it anymore.

On the skin..who knows if he really had vitiligo or not. If not possibly he lightened it to do away with how he was degraded also about his skin tone and bad acne while growing up.

I don't think he hated his race at all or wanted to be white. He just hated himself.

Cindy..Ga.

This body that we live in is only a shell that holds our true self. To say that Michael jackson was trying to be something that he was not is a statement that can be made about a lot of people.you have people that tan year round, are they not satisfied with their complexion, are they trying to be black. You have people who constantly have plastic surgery, whether it be facial changes, breast implants, lipo, whatever the case maybe, are they trying to be something their not. We as a society need to stop judging each other so much, and embrace each other with open mindness ,and understanding.

The sad thing about this whole saga is that the media is concentrating on things that no longer matter. Ive seen Liza Minelli during an interview and she has had so much work done she looks like the Joker in Batman. No one says anyhting about that. Why are you still discussing his trial? He was tried and he was found innocent. Let it go! Regardless of what he did or why he did it, that was his business not ours. The point is this man has died. Let him rest in peace. His family will deal with whatever issues he had. That's what family is for. Celebrate his MUSCIAL LEGACY. Ket this family mourn. Let his kids have some peace. You tortured him while he was living at leat have some compassion now and let his family have some peace!

Michael Jackson's lyrics were not anti-semitic. One of his major spiritual advisors was a Rabbi. He was speaking AGAINST antisemitism in that song, and that should be obvious to anybody not trying to be willfully controversial.

I have been watching along with so many others the story of Michael Jackson and have been amazed at so many different things going on with his death, life, parents, etc. I would never want to be a movie star or in the limelight where everyone tries to tell the world all about who you are and why you do the things you do.
Now in my 50's, I realize how cruel and unfair we can be as human beings when we just don't "think" about what we are saying or doing to others. I watched Jamie Fox, whom I have always enjoyed watching in the movies or on Oprah etc.say at the BET Awards, He (Michael Jackson) was ours, one of us. I don't feel that was true. Michael Jackson belonged to the world, all of us, black or white. In my mind he made it clear we should ALL be brothers and sisters.
Where did the mindset come from to look at a person and decide because they were a different color or nationality to be so hateful and hurtful to one another. I wish we could all just get past all of this small mindedness and see each other as we are, a child of God, He is the one in control. And now Michael is singing and dancing for God and his Kingdom.
I wish all of his family only the very best, especially Michael's children.
Thank you.

Michael Jackson was the sexiest man to ever walk this earth no matter how many times he altered his rough draft. He wasn't trying to not be black or whatever it is society is trying to imply. That's an ignorant statement because since the beginning of time blacks have been known to have a span of shades far more complicated than the rainbow. We come in all shapes, sizes, shades and Michael could never alter himself to where he didn't identify with his race. It's time to stop judging him and let him rest in peace.

Maybe his childhood was so bad and you have the money to change your looks why not maybe he saw his father face in the mirror and did not want to look like him. He wanted to have his own look. I see nothing wrong with that.

Keshawn

Good comment-so true.
Let's let him rest in peace.

Please, please, please can we get back to the real news? Enough Michael Jackson!!!! I must have been raising kids in the 80s-90s or something. This story is way over the top and I find myself watching less TV, which is a good thing. I always thought I could always get some good TV on CNN but I'm not sure any more.

my question is Why hasnt debbie rowe made any comment on her children life. l really would like to know who"s blanket mother why doesn"t anyone know this information yet.. lm thinking maybe it"s the nanny baby could that be a fact . thanks teresa from canada great job done on your show anderson

Micheal didn't hate his race he might never thought he was good enough and never had the right people tell him that he was beautiful. Regardless of his facial features he is and will always be the best noone can ever compare.

Michael had Lupus and exhibited the symptoms: Sensitivity to light, hair loss, weight loss and blotchy skin.

That is why he always had to have an umbrella in sunlight and wore a wig and so much makeup.

I believe this, along with plastic surgery and drug use contributed to his death.

He was not expected to live much longer, according to reports.

That is the reason for calling his tour "This is It. The Final Tour"

He asked his Doctor to spend the night because he did not feel well.

I don't care what those around him said of his last moments; they are trying to protect his & their image.

I hope he now has the peace he longed for most of his life.
I also hope he has that Neverland in Heaven.

It is horrifying to think that the same man who abused Michael may raise Michael's kids. That is AWFUL! I hope the nanny gets the kids, as Michael probably wanted. Not to mention, he raised his kids "white," and now they may be raised "black?"
This whole thing is so awful. The kids are already screwed up (Michael as a "father"), how much worse can it get?

Too bad this article wasn't really about what MJ thought about himaself. But what someone else thought MJ thought of himself. I am sure somewhere out there, there are interviews of MJ himself talking about himself.
The recluse that he was may shelter the secrets of a man perhaps made ugly by the society that sustained his ethereal status. maybe, just maybe it had nothing to do with his father. But about a world constantly invading his personal space, where just he may just want to be someone else. Because being himself was becoming unbearable.

As a white person watching the BET awards for the first time (as many millions of other white people did) I hoped for a respectable over the top tribute and instead was left feeling bitter about comments from Joe on the red carpet about a new record company and from Jamie Foxx's comment about, "The media is out there watching us, let's play it up big" and "MJ belonged to the black community, but we decided to share him with the world". I think if MJ had heard that, he would have been PISSED! MJ didn't "BELONG" to any one nor any race and wanted, strived and begged the world to accept him as a citizen of the world and the world did exactly that, except fo the small few that refuse to LET GO of the whole "us and them" crap.

Oh and I have also lost what little respect I had left for Al Sharpton who clearly was busted in a lie AGAIN trying to protect Joe J.

What is wrong with you people? He’s gone, but so are our sons, daughters and loved ones who have been fighting for freedom. Where is there 24/7 memorial.. You news people should be ashamed of yourselves for shoving Jackson down our throats over and over again. Is there a race going on between news stations to see who can show his face the most in one week? It’s disgusting.

"Apart from the changes to his physical appearance, there is little compelling evidence that Michael Jackson tried to distance himself from the African-American community."

Boy do I disagree with that!

MIchael Jackson may not have been a race traitor, but he did everything he could to divorce himself from his black heritage. He married two white women and his children look white to me, I often wondered why he didn't adopt needy African children.

I think the worst part was that Michael seemed to dislike being black so much that he attempted to physically remove every trace of his black heritage from his appearance.

Michael did not hate his race. It is ridiculous for anyone to think that. I honestly, did not have much respect for the man until recently when I started digging into some background research about his life. I learned that there are many things that people do not understand about him, but if you take an hour out of your day, as i did, instead of jumping to conclusions American's could perhaps be a bit more understanding?

Michael seemed to have had a disease, Vitiligo, in which he as basically allergic to the sun which caused the de-pigmentation of his skin. Yes, he later underwent surgery, but can you blame him? He was/is an ICON! With his picture being taken probably sometimes thousands of times a day, he did not want to appear on the front of magazines and on billboards with splotches all over his body. He wanted to be able to experience day light... Seriously, who care's if he underwent a pigmentation change? It was what made him happy! Don't we do what makes us happy each and every day?

American's are being hypocritical, jumping at any reason to insult someone. Aren't [most] American's a little quick to jump into plastic surgery (or appearance altering surgery ) when ever they find they would like to change something about themselves???

I recommend that everyone stop looking too far into this man's life and respect the privacy of him and his family. If you aren't going to do any research before your assumptions, at least drop by youtube.com and view 'Michael Jackson- Private home video part 1-3' it's a series, each a few minutes long, but before making any assumptions, understanding the entirety of the situation is of the utmost importance.

No one can get in the mind of another and truly know what he is thinking. We can only speculate and give our thoughts. My thoughts are he tried to resemble the immortal Disny character Peter Pan with the little pixie nose, high raised eybrows and impish grin and the light complexion. Internally, Michael Jackson may have tried to have that childhood that eluded him with a mental connection. The only way he can truly believe and live it, is to outwardly look like him. His Neverland Ranch was not the only symbol of the Peter Pan dream, but continued into his little boy mind. The little children he had visit were the "Lost Boys" and I believe he was trying to make their lives what his was not. Happy. Simply Happy. May your sould find it's way.

.I think that people al over the world need to understand and know what is wrong in the mind sets of such successful individuals like MJ, Elvis Presley, governor Sanford who rise to great heights….who then come to actions that ends their life, wreck businesses, their careers, their families, affecting lives of others and we usually comment with: how could this happen!
And all of this will not stop. There are more celebrities and high level individuals coming to the forefront with these kind of actions they are not yet aware of.
Something is wrong in their mindset and that is that their mindset had been infused with toxic energy and that controls the individual in his thinking, decision making and action process. A toxic mindset will generate only toxic thoughts and decision making.

i think that doc had something to do with that i sure do and the grandama should keep those children

Michael transcended race.
Who did he see in the mirror a tortured soul, never good enough. Anderson Cooper one of the best no nonsense journalist we have.

Coudos to you Anderson and keep them honest.

Excellent article. Well thought out and insighful

I have followed Michael Jackson's career since we were both children (I am 4 years younger than him) and it broke my heart to see the troubled grown man that talented child became.

As a Black woman, I have struggled over the years to reconcile that talent with the obvious untreated mental problems he projected each time he stepped into the public eye.

I do believe that Michael was uncomfortable in the Black skin that he was born with - whether it was due to hate for his father or how society has viewed the African American throughout history in general. And I also believe he spent years and money bleaching his skin and changing his features to erase any traces of his African American heritage. From most accounts, he even purchased someone else's DNA to make sure that none of his genetics were passed down in his own children.

I don't think his distate with being Black and his need to change himself into something altogether different can be excused just because found collaborating musically with other African Americans acceptable. I found those interactions to be more about the potential financial benefits, not because he truly felt he was part of the African American community. Justin Timberlake collaborates musically with Black people all the time. Does it mean that Justin thinks he's Black? I don't think so.

The bottomline is that when I remember Michael, I remember a once mega-talented man full of promise who, in the end, became an extremely sad example of what can happen when poor racial image, low self-esteem, and untreated mental health issues can fester into when friends, family, and society chooses to turn a blind in the name of talent and money.

It is sad to hear that Michael was abused by his father. I too, along with my sisters growing up was also abused by my alcoholic father. My mother could never keep a secret, and would tell my dad when he got home from work. My dad could not wait to take the belt to us. In my opinion though, is that when you get older, you try hard to find forgiveness in your heart. I personally have never been more closer to my father throughout the years, than when I was growing up. I learned to forgive. The more the media talks about Joe jackson's abuse with Michael, the more concern I have for his well being as an individual. It is unfortunate that this personal information had to be mad public. No matter what anyone says or thinks, Joe was his father, and I am sure still and always will love Michael. We certainly do not want Joe to consider taking his own life because of imbarrassment and humiliation. Lets put Michaels family into our thoughts and prayers as well. Leave this family alone. They have been through enough losing their beloved son.

No one can know a person's soul. I find all the second guessing and commentary on MIchael Jackson's life just cruel. The public scrutiny that followed him while alive sadly is still following him in his death. Can we please just give the man the peace and dignity he deserves? Whatever sadness and joy he had on earth surely has now been replaced by perfect acceptance and love in a way we can't yet fathom. Isn't that enough?

Anderson, I hope you continue to press on with the important questions. You are an excellent journalist, never failing to get the answers to the questions we all want to hear. And when the people try to skate around the question, you gracefully put them back on track. Good for you. That's why I watch.

Michael Jackson did not believe in himself. He must have felt insecure ,in spite of his riches. He must have experienced a complexity in spite of his popularity. His life illustrates a sense of guilt, a rash temper, and a hideous crime.

Reportedly, Michael Jackson had a pulse but not breathing when his Doctor found him in bed. If this is the case why would he do chest compressions on someone with a pulse? Seemly all that was needed was to open his airway and give ventilations. It's the basic ABCs of CPR. In addition, there are medicines that can speed the heart rate up if need be. This is part of (ACLS) Advance Cardiac Life Support that all Cardiac dotors should know.

I agree with a couple of the above comments... I think Michael wanted to chage his whole appearance because of they awful things his father would say to him. I think and have always thought Michael was beautiful inside and out. God bless him and may he rest in peace.

Btw, Joe Jackson is a plain out monster.

Dear Anderson,

I just want you to know that is really pleasant to hear the news through you. I admire you and congratulate you for your neat work and the way you do it ! Thank you for that, you do make a difference !!

Maria C.

I have been listening to all of u and most of u make no sense at all.
Debbie knows nothing about those kids the kids donnot know her.
You tell me what kind of relationship will they have with debbie.
You people need to see the bigger picture .THe kids welbeing is the important factor here.
Katherine is and has always been a major part of those kids life .Then there is the nanny they donnot need unfamiliar people around them at all . considering how close they were to their father , Katherine is the right person for them to be with .
I pray there is a will ..and that it give gaurdianship of the children to grandma Katherine.

brenda (nc)
i agree.

virginia i agree
let the man be . he was a genius, a magician . His legacy remains .
Let him be.

In today's superficial world, it's troubling to hear people assert that race is simply the color of ones skin rather than the core of their being.

Michael was African American yet transcended race, music, entertainment, celebrity, philanthropy and compassion.

While Michael's impact on people of various races may differ from person to person, his raising of $300 million for African American charities surely shows he never forgot where he came from.

I believe that God put Michael here to show us all about who we are. I do not believe that even he knew who he wanted to look like. He was a gift to this world just for a little while to get a point across and that is that we all are one people no matter what color, race, or creed. He was every man and we need to learn from what he was trying to bestow upon this earth. He was so magical and knew how to bring people together threw the gift that he was born with. He transformed before our eyes, and I have always thought that we were to learn from what was right in from of us through him. People are quick to judge what they do not understand, because they do not know how to comprehend what is being said, done or even explain as to why something is happening. That's just a part of being human, none of us are perfect!

I'm not black or white, & I feel like Michael belong to everyone, & no matter how much he change, I saw it as a unique, unmatched, & if that's what he wanted then cool. The sad part is that it didn't seem to make him happy. Michael is beautiful period.
Anderson, good one on checking Rev. Sharpton, on what Joe said.
Everyone knows that Joe Jackson, is the one Off The Wall!

When a person is born, he will have to go through the path of getting old (Aging), have some illness, and definitely faces death.
When that person died, people used to use, "Sudden and Unexpected Death." Actually, since everybody is expected to die this should not be "Unexpected."
Cause of death, mostly have to be natural, suicides, accidents or homicide. Over dosage of any medication–is not natural but the other three. People are all concentrating on drugs.
At this time, Dr. Gardner was explaining on CNN about Tylenol being major cause of liver damage (acts cellular level). So any other medication added may potentiate the effect of Tylenol–taking without knowing is accidental; taking them purposely by self is suicide; giving them knowing the consequences will be "homicidal".
Okay what happens if toxicology report of MJ came without any overdose.
Can MJ die of naturally? According to the "Hulk", he met MJ a month ago and was very fit. MJ can die of Exhaustion–leaving postmortem nothing much to report. If MJ had aches & pain a few days ago, he may have viral infection–may die of Viral Myocarditis.
Can the cause of death be "Unascertainable?" There could be a spasm of the coronary arteries (supplying the heart muscle), not enough to produce any damage to be seen in postmortem.
So let's just wait and see and pray. MAY MJ REST IN PEACE.
Correct me if I am wrong and excuse me if you don't like tnis comments.

Michael was diagnosed with Vitiligo in 1993. It is an auto-immune disorder in which the pigment of the skin is left with blotchy white patches. It is very traumatizing. I know, I was diagnosed when I was I was 5 years old. Michael dealt with this pain by bleaching the rest of his skin so that he was all one color. That is an option that dermatologist give you. Vitiligo is more noticible on an African-American. It upsets me so much listening to everyone condemning this wonderful human being who is no longer with us anymore. It does not matter what he looked like. He transended race and borders. Everyone loved this gentle kind soul. I wish everyone would stop being so shallow and leave him to peace for once. I love you Michael! RIP.........

He didn't hate his race. If you watched any of his interviews you would have known that. He refered himself as a black man. If you really care as to what he thought . You probably should have asked when he was alive. Let him rest for God's Sake!

It is sad to me the attention that the news is given to this, why do people care so much when there is so much pain in the world – poverty,crime, war, abuse. I think the people who feel that this is what the news should reflect need to wake up and look around at what else is going on in the world, this is ridiculous.

Why is it that people comes up with a bunch of bull when someone dies? I feel that some are missing the BIG PICTURE. When we bleed, the color is red. Where ever we spend eternity, it won't be separated for black, white, or any other color or race. Micheal has done so much in his time here that were good. He have changed so much for our music industry. Can we at least be happy about that? I doubt it, but, we actually have people that love this man dearly. Not worrying about his apperance because that was short-term looks, nor his race, but looking at his heart. You have people all over this world celebrating his life. So, it must mean that they didn't care if he felt he was black or white; they loved him for who he was. Just because we are born black or white or whatever, doesn't mean one thing. You have black people that don't like blacks, and the same goes with every other race that is known to man. Point blank, we are all just apart of the human race. Hopefully we realize it before we are gone. And why when Micheal said his Dad beat him with a belt or a switch, he didn't get arrested for child abuse?

I am concerned about the things that was said about Micheal and his trials. I saw sum photos of Micheal and Quincy Jones on the news, why is a teenager sitting on a grown mans lap. There were know concerns about this partic ular photo at the time. Have anybody ever thought that Micheal Jackson was a victim of abuse when he was growning up. People should be more concern about his children than what others did to his character.

I dont think there was anything anti black about Michael changing his appearance. I think he simply did not relate to being a black Michael, much the same way that some people dont relate to not being a brunette and they dye their hair blond.... not being able to relate to going bald and they get new hair.... fake boobs, fake implants for muscles, chins, fake nails, the list goes on and on. Michael couldnt see himself as a black man and living a black mans life.

I am a little perplexed at him wearing lipstick and I have wondered if while at home he put on the full armor of the white Michael... hair, eyebrows, face makeup and lipstick. I wonder if he ever permitted himself to simply be Michael?

Double edged sword: such talent- such torment.

ok.. he had talent but enough is enough. I really think that we are spending too much time on him. We need to get back to the real news..

Joe Jackson displayed greed, ignorance, lack of respect for his own son, and self promotion on the red carpet...all the same reasons Michael distanced himself from his father. There is no way in hell that Michael Jackson would want his children to be associated, especially raised, by his father. I would not even allow my dogs to be anywhere within a 5 mile radius of that abusive man. Michael's kids are far more intelligent and educated than Joe Jackson. Let us pray that they are not permanently placed in the care of Katherine Jackson who obviously cannot stand up to that greedy self serving man she unfortunately chose to marry.

My main prayer now is that Michael knew Jesus and knew that Jesus loved him for just being Michael. Jesus does not care about money, looks, talent, or public opinion! I expect to see Michael in heaven where he should be...public opinion, world posessions do not matter in the end..only accepting Jesus as your savior.

Hello Anderson,
Thank you for great reporting and continuos coverage on MJ.

Just a few thoughts that keep coming to my mind about the greatest entertainer of all times. I can't get over the saddenes, not only of Michael's premature passing, but the pain he went through living.
Despite the fact, that so many of us loved him, he wasn't happy:(
How sad and paradoxic is that, being admired and loved by millions, he actually couldn't love himself? It seems that the childhood abuse combined with his extraordinary sensitivity (granted only to those most creative and genius) left him scarred and tormented for life.
He desperately seeked approval of his parents (read: father), those who are suppose to love unconditionally, but to na avail.
Millions of supporters and fans couldn't measure with the most important figure he tried to please.

On that note: Joe Jackson is absolutely disgraceful. In first interview after Michael's passing, he speaks of Michael as a international superstar, not his son, child that he grieves. I didn't sense a note of saddeness in his tone. No wonder Michael died of broken heart:(

I pray that Michael's beautiful soul finally finds peace and happiness in the better place!

Michael, you are loved, admired and terribly missed! FOREVER!
You will forever live in our hearts!

I am not an american. I live in the greatest country on earth, Canada. But cant we put this Michael Jackson thing in perspective. How many American boys are dying overseas who havent reached their 30th birthday let alone their 40th, or even 50th. Why dont Americans have tributes to all of the boys who died fighting somebody elses war, some of them not yet reaching the age of 21?
He lived 50 years, most of it with wealth and luxury. I cannot believe the American way of thinking.

I still hang with the Neverland Peter Pan image. All things that Michael Jackson may or may not have been, his selection of song was a reflection of his life as is with artist I believe.

Alleged abuse by parents, a sign of the times for the era Michael Jackson as well as myself grew up in. Corp punishment was the norm, perhaps not done in the streets as in Iran, but done all the same. As do many of us have issues with our parents from childhood at one level or another, we move beyond or should move beyond it as we become adults.

As well, the circus of his death is outrageous. I cannot wrap myself around what is going to be a very public display when it should by all accounts be a private family matter and not a tool to further profit from a talented, however unique, individual. Not unlike a circus sideshow in which an "infant" was displayed inside a glass jar, we now have the man in the mirror.

No one's concerned about Kathryn raising the children because the real "threat" as you say is, let's not forget, an 80 year old man. (and Janet would kick his butt if he tried) LOL

Anderson,
PLEASE, enough about Mchael Jackson. Please give us some important news other than celebrity gossip. Is it all about the ratings?

Anderson, the question of Michael Jackson's racial identity has been asked and answered by Michael Jackson so the mystery is solved. Instead of writing about "Michael Jackson on race" why don't you examine yourself? Why do you refuse to believe him when he says he has Vitiligo? Most importantly, is this what is important to your viewers? The answer is no and while I have responded to this blog I am very disappointed at the waste of time. People are dying. Children are starving. Why don't you try doing a story that is going to make a change in someone's life. Why not write about Michael's humanitarian efforts? Where is the blog about that? Is that not juicy enough? You are CNN! Do not become just another tabloid.

I think that Michael Jackson was a very misunderstood man. I think that he changed the color of his skin not because he disliked being black, however to show people that no matter what color you are, you are the same inside. As far as the plastic surgery to his face, I think he just went to far. I think some doctor refused to tell him "no". It seemed that he was surrounded by people that all has their hands in his pockets. A couple years ago, I bought his release of his top videos released in 2003. I have always loved his music!!!!! I beleive that him being accused of child molestation and having to sit through court and being falsely accussed. I speak from my own education with a master's in psychology, that he was really a good man. I think he believed he has been given "this gift" and made all of this money that he could relive his childhood. I think he was an adult on stage where he grew up and a child when he stepped off stage. In the recent years, people have made a joke out of him. A JOKE.
I wander where his family or friends were in the past years when he really needed them. I would have wished that his father would have said that " I will miss my son" instead of " we will miss this superstar". I wish one of the brothers or sisters would step in and get custody of his children. I think Michael would hate to know that his father was in part a guardian to his children. I think or would hope that Janet could step in, could hire thier nanny and take care of them. Just by Joe Jackson's comments it seems he is more concerned with the amount of money he is going to make off Michael...... It makes no sense.

I first want to i have to be real careful what i say about ( IT ) ...aka JOE however it's a travesty and such a shame that Micheal had to die the way he did , i bet he was filled with such angst and pain i can only hope he DID NOT suffer one minute at least pyschically, he went through enough as an adult ,not the least of which as a little boy at the hands of a pitiful existence of a human being society calls a father.

I watched the interveiw about when Micheal spoke at length about the abuse at the hands of "JOE" and it pained me i could see how torn he was like that little boy in his eyes even as an adult to the man in him knowing he had to speak up and stand up to what is right, yet knowing it;s ok to face your truth .... i know that truth i went through as a kid ...the beatings the fear , unpredictable behavior....Micheal was a special young man and so caught up in all the spotlight and celebrity that "JOE" was jealous and used Micheal as an example afterall how can you blame Micheal for defying "JOE" can you blame him.....such horror ...im surprised Micheal didn't off himself having been subjected to such trauma for so long.

My final thoughts are about his CHILDREN and his MOM CATHERINE ONLY who i hope will be able to live out the rest of their lives in peace and quiet without the damn media hounding them like wild animals with all kinds of foolish questions.

I wish the 4 of them well.

THe rest of the family you know what..? they could have given a S#$% about Micheal when Micheal spoke out about that "JOE" guy abusing him especially that snort janet and latoya, why then should they care now..

This was a well written article with thoughtful insight. As a matter of fact it's the best I have read thus far. As for all the comments, none of you can speak for Michael Jackson. How dare you speculate on his life. The only thing you know for sure is how he touched the world through his gift of music. In the words of Maya Angelou: I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Why are there so many award shows just for black people; who also compete in award shows for people of any color?
.

Dear Anderson,

Yes, race is a complicated and personal issue. We do not choose race and some of us struggle more than others with the problematic of race as it relates to the essence of who we are. Michael clearly loved being black–he drew inspiration from his past, for example by depicting ancient Egypt in "Remember the Time." He was always connected to African Americans and we to him! He never abandoned the race, but struggled to find his place and an identity within it.

I was born just three months before Michael and grew up loving his image. I accepted him then, and later as his looks changed. His pigment change has been explained, so I accept his medical explanation about loss of pigment.

Now I want to honor his ARTISTIC contributions. Discussing all this is like asking why Ray Charles was blind. Let's look at the art, and listen to the words, whcich in many cases, hold clues to an inrtrospective and caring man.

I've written to you on many occasions complaining that the International version of your show (or at least the Middle East) only gets one hour.... It's bad when Beat 360 or the Shot isn't in the first hour but THIS MORNING!!!!! Travesty. You enticed and tempted me with the Filipino prison and then what did you do? Let it spill over into the 2nd hour... of course, I got IReport or something else that I had so little interest in that I switched to Sky News (desperate measures an' all that....), PLEASE rectify this.

The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.

$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$550 billion: U.S. Defense budget

I don't understand one thing that i have never seen Michael Jackson passing judjements or bad comments about anyone, even though his one bad word could destroy anyones life as he had that much impact. But people keep on saying bad things about him. Who are we to judge whether he was rite or wrong. Nobody understood that what all he needed was real love. If he said that he had vitiligo than why don't anybody believed him. People have said & done many wrong things to him but now i pray to GOD whereever he is, he's getting what all he wanted.
I really respect him a lot as an artist, singer, dancer, perfomer & above all as a humanbeing.
WE LOVE YOU "MICHAEL JACKSON" a true star.

Regarding the thirty minute delay to call 911. I wonder if the MD present was even currently trained in CPR. If you are not practicing in a hospital, ie if you are in solo practice with no credentials related to a hospital providing critical care area, one does not need semi annual retraining in the rigorous adult and child CPR training all nurses, MDs, and paramedics take.

When I heard the 911 call I thought the dude on the phone was following a script and when he found an MD present he backed out. The patient need paramedics with advanced life support asap. Not someone to claim they were a cardiologist attempting to do chest compressions on a soft bed>???? And what about breathing for the patient. Did he have a bag? Did he do mouth to mouth...I think this whole thing stinks like someone trying to avoid a lawsuit.

The first thing you do when someone needs resusitation is call 911 immediately and summon advanced life support..The patient is unresponsive and not breathing and they wait even longer till the ambulance arrives....99% of patients who go longer than five minutes without being intubated, defibrillated, or resustitated with Narcan, other live saving drugs die. Most patients brought to ERs in Code Arrest do not make it. There is something wrong with the news if this has not been mentioned.

You people just don't have a clue. It is impossible for someone to self hate and be so successful all at the same time. What about all the Caucasians who sun bathe with HARMFUL sun rays and spray paint with carcinogenic chemicals? What's up with that? Not to mention all the rhinoplastys and plastic butts, etc. I wouldn't necessarily state that they were trying to be African, like me. I would just simply state that they admired people of color and want to be stylish and sophicated too. It's all good and not a reason to hate and say horrible things about people who want to enhance or experience or change a feature for the sake of style. More whites are into the Hip Hop culture and style, but I would not necessarily say that they want to denounce their culture and become African. All ye of small brains...open your minds and set yourself free.

Shalom

I hope that Michael's father continues to live separately from Michael's mother Katherine. Michael's children do not need to endure the same sort of upbringing that Joe used on Michael. Hopefully, Katherine will make sure that Joe has limited access not only to the children but to Michael's estate as well (if there is anything left after the creditors get what they are owed). His children need to continue to have a loving relationship with the guardian like they had with Michael. Its hard enough to lose a parent; it doesn't need to be made even harder by having someone who may mistreat them in their lives.

Great job interviewing the father> He was so self centered. He was more interested in being the big man. Father of the world's pop star. He didn't even look sorry his son died. I think he now has power over his son's affairs and so he likes it bette that wayl

I would never let those littel kids be raised by someone who is a known child beater, someone Michael said he feared til it ruined his life. Why would he want his kids raised by his father.

I think the father is showing his greed and interest in making future money on this tragedy. The grandmother is OK but is also too old to be a real care giver to active children who are in a new generation. This is a real mess. Thank you for digging for the truth.

My wife and I are getting pretty tired of all your focus on Michael Jacson at the expense of coverage of real news. We'll start watching the program again when you get back to those issues that really matter.

He saw his father in the mirror and was always haunted by it. This led him to take drastic measures in plastic surgery, which is the only thing I'm critical of Mike though I understand why he did it. As for the whiteness of his skin I definitely believe he had vitiligo, something he couldn't control thus it gave tabloid media the means to slander his name. At first people misunderstood the fact that Michael loathed his father not the entire race. Although, black people might have been mad at Mike in the past, one thing that needs to be understood about black people is that we may fight or disagree but in the end we stick together as family. Hence no matter what Michael will go down in our history as a black hero (note not just as an African-American)!

Michael Jackson introduced and made our culture acceptable in the mainstream society. Through his music Michael united people of all races and ethnicities. Michael became an inspiration to all who would dare to dream big and were willing to work hard for it that they too could one day make it against all odds.

Michael sent out message of peace, love and hope in the end that is much stronger than bigtroy, envy and hate. Hence his legacy will live on forever in our minds and our hearts. All he ever wanted was to be accepted and loved while he had that from the public, friends and his family... I don't think he ever got it from his father (where he needed it the most). I hope that haunts Joe Jackson to his grave!

Joe Jackson just disgusts me...I am pleased to hear that so far he has been cut from Michael's 2002 will...in the midst of the world morning his death...he is speaking of his new record label. You can clearly see that his greed, need for control and abuse drove his son to his death...I hope he never sees a dime! RIP Michael...

I think it goes a bit deeper...your face is your identity and if it changes, could you identify that person?

I think of Charlie, from Charlie's Angels...you never saw his face so you really couldn't identify HIM.

I agree on the idea that deep inside he didn't want to look like his abusive father so he took steps to change those features.

Only a person who has Vitiligo can really, truly understand the emotional, physical, and psychological effects of it. Imagine having your skin turn lighter and lighter and you can’t help it. I don’t think he bleached his skin, I think his vitiligo must have been so severe, that he had to go through complete depigmentation of the skin. So little is known about this skin disorder, but perhaps in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death, more can be learned about it.

I am an AA women, who is sick and tired of these remarks about Michael belonging to the Black Community. these are the same kind of remarks made about Obama. Neither of these men, stood just for one race. If white people had not fallen in Love with The Jackson Five, do you really believe they would be as big as they are? And the same goes for Obama, if white people had not fallen in Love with, or believed in him, do you really think he would be POTUS? Because to be truthful there are not enough blacks to vote Obama in by themselves. It's time to STOP all of this he belonged to this group, or this race. And, as far as Sharpton and Jackson go, they both only stick their wide noses into things when it benefits them. When White Stars die, you don't hear them saying " He or she was white they belonged to us." there really is no need. What would have been alot better for BET to have done is honor him as a Gifted Astist, who just happened to be born Black, but got way past that.

Please stop showing Jackson coverage around the clock. The energy bill that has passed with the house( & is on the way to the senate floor) needs to be Number 1. The American people need the facts please start blasting the pros and cons of this cap & trade system more then you are. Please do us this service. People need to get more involved its getting out of control.

Many celebrities and non celebrities died in drug addiction and I am wondering why people put the all the blame to the users and not questioning the drugstores and physicians who's dispensing and prescribing the medicines who knows better and more knowledgeable and more in normal state of mind than the USER... I think they can refuse to dispense if they are suspect to drug abuse or give an excuse that we are out of stack just to somehow help this people... If a department store can refuse to sell to a customer because maybe they have bad habit of always returning goods after they buy why they can't refuse to dispense to a suspect drug abuser, in that case they will not ask prescrition because they know they pharmacy will not dispense medicine for them anymore or must have a limit on a medicine in a month that a patient can only have... Why not create a law or a system to control dispensing and for the doctor also have a limitation for them to prescribe.... Many died in this case and I never heard anyone talking how to avoid and give an idea on how to prevent this to happened again.

michael jackson- they say the doctor said he had a slight pulse. the doctor did CPR, on the bed, you do not do CPR to a person with a pulse. you do rescue breathing. no breathing but a pulse requires =rescue breathing

no breathing – no pluse = CPR

When the doctor found MJ, it has been reported he had a slight pulse, and the doctor administered CPR ?

MJ- had a slight pulse?

So the 'King of Pop' is dead, yes it is sad, but it'd be nice if the world was a little more interested in actual national and global news, not entertainment news. I've heard more about MJ dead and how 'great' of a man he was in the last 72 hours than anything about Iran, Darfur, or the DRC, not to mention hardly anything about the fiery debates in the halls of the senate and congress. It's high time Americans started caring about the world around them more than the celebrities that entertain them.

Any news on when there will be a corononer's inquiry?

Elvis, too, had enablers who would not stop him from taking any drugs that he was intent on taking. Even the so-called 'memphis-mafia' as they are referred to, would ensure he had all the drugs he wanted. Now, who were Michael's enablers?

Wow. The king of pop is dead. The Elvis of our generation is gone. It's sad really, mainly the way I portrayed Michael Jackson. I was never really a fan but I knew his music and bits and pieces of his life but sadly what I’ll remember him most by is the last 10-15 years of the crazy stories, pictures, weird actions and just the circus of events. Watching the news and reading/researching online about his life and the interviews I saw a different man then what I had seen the media portray him as. I saw a lonely, shy, emotional child just trying to grow up. I don't know if he molested any children or not but to him it was ok to hang out with children and have sleep over’s because he himself was still a child in his mind and was doing nothing wrong. He never had a chance to be a child with all the music and fame, he just never found a way to properly grow up or deal with his issues on the inside. Not to mention the mental/physical abuse that his father put him through. He was a genius when he was on stage performing/signing/dancing/songwriting, it's where he was meant to be where god wanted him to be. I owe it to Michael Jackson to remember him as the king of pop, the amazing singer/songwriter/performer/entertainer that broke barriers and united billions of people around the world. I'm also going to buy some albums so I can enjoy the fruits of his labor and pay tribute to this unique man. You will be missed Michael and I'm sorry that I felt the way I did about you just over what the media said about you. I hope your resting peacefully my friend, and I hope your finally happy with who you are. God bless you Michael Jackson 1958-2009. Sincerely, Adam

My dears Brother Mick Jackson You Story and my Story is same ever since I found I am crying and mentally disturb how you been treat it by father and this selfish world brother I delegate this for you.
Hear is

God Looked around His Garden
And found an empty space;
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew your were in pain
He knew that you might never
Get well upon this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, “Peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you never went alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

Safiya Khoja (Canada)

Once again CNN is able to hide anything to do with what Obama is up to by burying under a glut of stories about MJ.

Mr. Cooper, I hope this comment gets to your attention and that you subsequently relay the message on the air. As Michael said in one of his many interviews, those who really want to know the 'real Michael Jackson" should listen to the lyrics of his song that talks about his childhood. Additionally, many people do not know that Micahel is an author. One of the books he wrote in the 1990's is titled "Dancing the Dream". PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you want to truly honor this man, ask people to check out and read this INCREDIBLE insightful book. Then the world will come to know that we've really lost one of the wisest and most gifted Being from Planet Earth. Please publize the book. Thanks.

everyone needs to stop and get off joe jacksons back. Michael did not want his kids with any of the surrogate mothers he chose. Debbie Rowe needs a DNA test. She may be the birth mother but may not be the bio;ogical mother. she may be the surrogate of an egg and sperm placed inside her. The children belong with his parents and family. By the way that last child name is not BLanket

when a white person braids their hair does that mean they want to be black? when a black person relaxes theor hair straight does that mean they want to be white? when a white person goes tanning does this mean they want to be black? when a black person listens to classical music and attains a higher education and/or surrounds themselves in an environment full of white people ("white America") does this mean they want to be white? If a white person uses slang, listens to rap and/ or dates the opposite race does this mean they want to be black? What's the determining factor of white culture and black culture? ...There's only a difference of skin color...we all bleed red. At the end of the day MJ is still dead. These speculations dont mean anything. All he wanted (as he said himself time and time again) was for EVERYONE to get along, for there to be peace, for hatred and racism to cease, and for love to abide. MJ was ridiculed...emotionally tortured....lied on...poked and prodded most of his life. It's a sad thing to admit. In my opinion he could have been a better man had he gotten the proper mental treatment and been surround, not by enablers, but by people who TRUELY had his best interest at heart...and advised him of it. But like I said...he's dead so shoulda, coulda, woulda, doesn't even matter any more. To those who loved MJ...honor him by eluding this in your every day lives. Those who didnt love MJ...even you should still elude this in your everyday lives...not just because MJ said it....but b/c its the right thing to do. ~Laura from Ohio

On your blog you as the question would it be hypocritical for African Americans to celebrate Micheal as a black man ,how could you post a question like that on your blog. Micheal Jackson had explain in several interviews regarding his condition, instead of being understanding and sympathetic people would rather think the worst about him. He along with others in hollywood received nose jobs, face lifts and so on but at no time do you state that white actors that get injection in their lips to make them plump or getting sun tans are trying to be black, So let me tell you this as an african american (black) american or whatever flavor you are calling us today you will not divide the black community regarding Micheal he has never denied being a black man and we are proud to call him one of us.

How can the Jackson family bring their son's body back to Neverland. Didn't Michael say that after the police raided his home that he would never set foot at the Neverland Ranch?

Michael Jackson was the type of guy that wanted to give the world his all and from what Ive seen in the Guinness book of records, hes helped MANY MANY charities along the way and holds the record for doing such. The world was fine with him giving them money and helping them, but when it came for him to actually give his love that he had for kids and show how much he admired them, now all of a sudden people think hes an evil man that does wrong things to kids. Michael just wanted to live his childhood through the kids he played with, do you honestly think that someone is going to spend millions of dollars to turn there home into a amusement park just to do wrong things to a kid or two?? come on! that's just stupid. Michael was a loving guy and he definitely will be missed by me.

Nick (Canada)

Lets get back to the real news...MJ was an entertainer and a very mixed up person. He should not recieve all of this coverage.

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt.

No it's not hypocritical for African-Americans to celebrate Michael Jackson as a black man. That's who he was regardless of the way he looked.

Michael could have spent most of his life turning purple; he is still a black man. Born black and died black regardless of the color of his skin, at the time of his death.

I always wonder why someone would make them self’s look like that. He told Oprah he didn't look in the mirror; I think that is obvious here. We will never know why he had all of those unnecessary plastic surgeries. I think his father was jealous of him and continued to put him down instead of embracing him, telling him how proud he was of him and just uplifting him more.

These child stars need mentors and someone who really cares about them . Who are not concern with the money these kids can make.

i agree with you Patriot

I think Michael did have a problem with his looks, but I dont think he hated his race. I do beleive that he wanted features that made him more white, perhaps because he seemed to have a greater affinity towards friendship with white entertainers. I think that he just was never given a chance to grow up and learn about himself and develop as we all do. I do not beleive that those children are his biologically. Although it does not matter, except that he tried to pass them off as his own. Mixed couples make beautiful children, they pick up the best traits of each parent or group in my opinion. Those children have no direct lineage to an African American. No offense intended. Example of a black white couple. Barack Obama, Halle Berry, and her baby. Venessa Williams, Tiger Woods, Alicia Keys. Mariah Carey.

@ susan
purchase "Thriller"and get back to us. This is a ratings show meaning that if there was no interest there would only be minimal coverage.

hatin his father has nothin to do wit his father bein black cuz he was hatin him as father not as black man

Even though he sang "It don't matter if your black or white" he preferred looking at himself – "The Man in the Mirror" – as a white person. He said he was diganosed with Vitiligo – a relatively common chronic disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. And, as patches, they could have been covered with makeup to match his natural skin tone. Based on his choice of skin tone he obviously preferred "A Whiter shade of Pale".
Thoughout the latter part of Michael's life there was one consistant personality trait that you coould depend on – just how adapt he was at making it up and then believing it. Al Shapton – speaking for the family – has said that "If we can look past the shortcomings of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, then we can put into proper perspective any shortcomings Michael may have had." The short comings of Frank and Elvis have been put on display and I don't recall anyone looking past them – nor should they. We are all responsible for what we say and do, inlcuding Michael.

I agree this greatly concerns me that since Michael was abused and beaten by his father why then does Katherine get custody of the kids? I'm sure he was close with his mother but I wouldn't want those three children in any close proximatey to Joe Jackson which could be detrimential to their health and well-being... Look what happened to poor Michael because of his father?

Its clear from Joe Jackson's latest interview last night advertising his new record label so closely after his son's tragic passing .. this just doesn't scream grieving father.. but money grubbing voltures... No wonder why Michael was so protective of his kids... All these so called friends, confidantes.. coming out of the woodwork.. claiming this and that about him... etc.. All the money grubbing people.. its rather disgusting and I feel very badly for him and now for his three children.

@ govtakeover....go to the federal government website for details of the energy bill. I hope this helps!

@ Dan ...in the meantime, read your local news paper and/or local community news channel for the information you seek. I hope this helps you.

First of all, Michael would not have a problem with his identity if his father Joe Jackson had not ridiculed him as a child about his looks. Especially his nose. That man got away with verbal and physical abuse of his children. Why can't he be prosecuted now the same way sex offenders are prosecuted years after the criminal act. If he was'nt abused by his father he would still be alive today .Michaels' mind would be different therefore he most likely would not have depended on drugs etc
His physician left his practice to care for Michael. Why did'nt he accompany Michael to the hospital since he was his personal physician. Why was Michael still on the bed if he had administered CPRMy theory is that he gave Michael too much Demerol which lead to respiratory depression, which lead to a heart attack. Why was he performing CPR on the bed. I think he panicked and took too long to get someone to call the EMS . That 's why Michael is no longer with us. he should be charged with criminal negligence or manslaughter and have his license revoked. His dad charged with accessory to murder as well as child abuse.
I have never met Michael but I have always wanted to be his friend. Especially when he was being falsely accused of child molestation. Michael was only trying to capture a childhood he never had by being a kid and playing with kids the way he would have if he was allowed. That parent was only trying to get rich quick with not even a care if a sweet gentle soul's character and reputation was ruined. Believe me I am the first one who would want to castrate a child molester. But that was NOT Michael Jackson.
You just don't know how much this hurts. Now I will never get the chance to even write him. i wish i had been more aggressive in finding out how to reach him the way other people seem to have done in the past. I'm sorry I was'nt able to reach out to you and give you the love you so deserved........... RIP Michael they can't hurt you now.

@ Larry
How many are there? "award shows" "just" for "Black people"? then ask yourself how many "award shows for "everybody" appropriately award "African Americans" or "Black People" ...get back to us with answer.

Have any of you ever met anyone with vitiligo? I have; my Mother. Vitiligo started affecting her when she was just ten years old after her father died on her birthday. She was then left alone to be raised by her stepmother, who like MJ emotionally abused her . She has told me in tears how having patches on her skin affected her, her entire life. She is also the fist black women on record to go through the complete transformation of turning her skin when she was only 20 years old. Like MJ she was ridiculed for turning her skin white but as she has told me what should she have done; walked around her entire life looking like a spotted animal. It’s very difficult growing up with vitiligo when no ones knows the symptoms’ and how to treat it other than bleaching your skin so it can be one color. Over the years, she has suffered from depression from all the names she was called growing up with this condition. It never goes away. Your called names for appearing different and when you do something to fix it; you are trying to be white. MJ will never have a change to really redeem himself. May he rest now rest in peace

@ Paris
Read your news paper or check online for the news and info you seek. I hope this tip helps you too.

@ Dorothy Zastre
That is a great idea. Why don't you start those tributes for the soldiers and post the information. Thanks

@ chris
exactly what is "real news" and under what diety were you deemed the authority, I am anxious for your response.

PLEASE, PLEASE-let Michael rest in peace-–ENOUGH already. There is a big world out there with more important problems--love your reporting Anderson--don't get bogged down in this drama!!!!!

I have been watching the media circle regarding the death of MJ and I am truly saddened by it all. What do I care if MJ complexion has drastically changed from birth? There are many people in this world that has changed something about themselves, whether they are in the media or not. Can we just get pass this? The constant beating of this man and his legal issues is truly upsetting. During is legal woes the media has almost destroyed him and in death you’re doing the same. Let’s just remember and enjoy the great gifts that he has left behind such as; his music and let’s pray for his children which were his greatest gift of all.

To the Family of MICHAEL JACKSON
A Poetry Salute

Thank you for sharing your Son, Brother and Father
Throughout the world, throughout the years
His music through happiness and sadness have brought tears
He lived in a time
Performed with the JACKSON 5 only to shine

A legacy that will forever live
Which included His philanthropy hence His will to give

MICHAEL JACKSON will always be the “KING OF POP”
Far above all at the top
The Greatness rooted within Him
Captured on many years of cherished film
To share with generations and generations
His mastery and creations

Celebrate His Life in song and dance
Celebrate His Greatness every chance

To the JACKSON FAMILY we salute MICHAEL JACKSON the
“KING OF POP”
The Man, The Life, The Music, The Dance
May His true legacy live on……

Fans
by Simmone Lawrence
Family and Friends

Changes in appearing is not a civil crime, but I don't understand why people are erasing the fact that Michael Jackson had changed his color to white. Having an abusive father, skin disease or whatever the situation is, has limited or no reason of him completely turning himself into a white man, instead of his born color. I love him very much and always admire his dance. Look at his picture in "the ABC" video, was he not pretty compare to his present picture until his death? It is clear that he did it for a purpose unknown to the whole World. It is too complicated to distinguish him. In mine opinion, I will say that he is a Black/white man, born of black color and changed to white.

I watched your show yesterday when you had deepak chopra on and he explained about the LUPUS and VITIGLIO Micheal Jackson had was most likely caused by a psychosomatic condition which he backed up by a recent medical study.
you seemed puzzled and surprised, here is the answer.
MICHAEL JOESPH JACKSON , had his betrayers name the ex-boxer who made a living from violence and intimidation gave his son his own first name as a middle name....so PSYCOLOGICALLY Micheal was always being attacked emotionally mentally and physically by the man who beat him with his hands with a belt and a switch-a small stick.
even after the beatings were over because of the shared middle name Michael could never never escape his tormentor.
Joesph the evil bad inner spirit was always there attacking Micheal from within constantly ESPECIALLY in Michael's SLEEP where you exist only as an inner spirit his inner middle name.
so it is no wonder this manifested as a variety of weird mental behaviors and his skin condition and especially the lupus which is an auto immune disorder where the body attacks itself as an enemy
how very twisted tormented and sad this mans life was on a spiritual level
no wonder he was trying to heal the world, he was trying to heal himself.

Michael Jackson's death will epitomize the state of human affairs. It will encompass the importance of the home environment and its effects of the human psyche as well as the various ways actions within the home transcends. His death will bring once again to the forefront race and acceptance or lack thereof and finally the greed of men as we will soon witness in the days to come. This event/showcase/funeral/memorial/battle will become one of the greatest if not the greatest phenomemnom since the emancipation proclamation...trust me!

CNN/MSNB/FOX/ and all the other media are concerning themselves and are the wolves waiting to devour and whirl a slaughter reports and of innuendos of hate and everything they can muster to write a so called journalist story.
Who/what/when/where Michael Jackson decides to leave his children and his will is none of the media's business.
Not even in death will they leave Michael to rest in peace.
What a horrible and hateful world we live in.
If they cannot find anything good to report they will dig and dig.
Why no one ever reported the diapers or pampers Elvis wore because he could not contain his infested drug ridden body?
This POP STAR has done nothing to anyone. He never had a childhood and that’s about it.
Allow Michael Jackson to rest in peace. “For God's Sakes!” You hateful vipers.

Until this past week I always enjoyed CNN's great variety of news coverage, but it is very boring to see hour after hour of repititious Michael Jackson stories while everything else is condensed to a few seconds of passing mentions. Sure MJ deserves some coverage but not to the exclusion of all other interesting and important national and international events. I didn't have a stopwatch to time it but it seemed to me there was more time devoted to moving vans at Jackson's house than the fact the House passed a controversial and costly energy bill - what kind of journalism is that?

Michael Jackson's drastically changing appearance was one of the reasons why I began to have misgivings about him after having grown up watching him as a cute kid in the 70's and admiring The Jackson Five's music. I always doubted his claim of suffering from a skin condition and I really believed he deliberately tried to become something other than who he really was–perhaps he did have other reasons for transforming his appearance in such a dramatic way, but it was difficult not to believe that he wasn't fully comfortable with his race. The entire Jackson family have had nose jobs and many (not all) African-American's have historically had issues with not meeting the supposed "standard of beauty" in this country–it's a sad issue that I'm certain that Michael Jackson grappled with his entire life.

I am sick and tired of hearing about Michael Jackson. Not one work about Farrah from CNN or AC360. Enough with Michael Jackson.

I think it is important for you to continue following this story in how Michael Jackson died. The drugs he was taking are called the "suburban drugs". People assume they are safe and become addicted to them very easily. I think we should leave his children alone. Let them bury their father. He was a good one. He protected them from the press and had them cover their faces. He would be sad to know their pictures are now being put on magazines.--- If he really wanted to make money, he could have used them to do it. He protected them, someting any good father would do. I hope Janet tries for custody. She is so much like Michael and she has no children of her own.

Hi Anderson. sad sad time. as a retired R.N. I am surprised that no professional has noted that when ther is a pulse-heartbeat you abdolutely DO NOT do compressions. If a person is not breathing you assist in maintaining an airway, My prayers go out to those who loved Michael and did not exploit or enable him. An awesome talent A sad man-child. Thank you Anderson for your show.

Please print or post something good that Michael Jackson did for the Planet. He is gone, for the love of God and man kind stop bashing him. It is very unkind to speak ill of the dead. He did a lot of the kids, the poor, the community, and charity. Please let him rest in peace.

AC, please print something good. I know you can find something good, that he did. How about posting how much he gave to charity, the community, friends, and the many moochers, and the so call friends. AC, you need to start posting a documentary on
Michael Jackson work and what a gave back to the community. He was an ordnary man who had an extronardy life. Please be fair and post also the good not the bad.

A.C. keep up the good work.

Bethesda,Maryland

Dear AC and Readers:

I understand that Michael Jackson had controversies but I am so tired of the media beating up on him.

Most of the journalists, anchors and commentators want to dissect and criticize him for everything.

The media is even characterizing the Death Investigation as a Murder Investegation and raising questions about his Doctor.

His family is grieving right now; how would you feel if this was your son?

I understand the need to "get the story" but I think it should be sprinkled with compassion; Please lay off th snyde remarks.

We get that Michael was troubled but he is not even alive to defend himself.
I think that Michael had Lupus; the symptoms fit what was portrayed in his behavior.
Please also keep in mind that a lot of the people you are interviewing are classis "Fame Seekers" cashing in on his death.

Anderson Cooper Thank you for being so diligent with all your reports.

Point blank about the race issue, watch the Oprah meets Michael Jackson on You tube, he clearly says he is proud of his heritage.

This is just so heart breaking....

Just heard two very revealing reports that seem to fully explain Michael Jackson's death - congrats to Campbell Brown for good journalism which did break news that a rabbi begged Jackson to control his drug use more than a year ago - and a nurse refused Jackson's request last week for a sedative normally used only in hospital emergency rooms. Those two interviews are the most significant I have seen since Jackson died.

Donna

I totally agree. Jamie Foxx made me mad when he said Michael Jackson belonged to them. They threw him to the wolves because he turned himself white and NOW they claim him?! Shameful. Chris Rock is one of the worst in making fun of MJ. If Chris Rock comes out and claims Michael, I'll throw up. Michael never belong to one group!

if all men had the heart of micheal this world would be a paradise. even in death people, tabloids are saying hurtful things about micheal. i love micheal no matter what. he did gods will and thats clear to see to a blind man. youre in jehovahs hands noow micheal and hes a just god.

My suspicion is that The Dr. @ his home gave into michael's demand for a sedative and administered propofol intervinously and gave to much. Propofol is used in I.C.U. and the O.R. to sedate patients for surgeries and patients who are intubated or on life support to keep them asleep and comfortable. This is a very dangerous drug and should never be administered out of Hospital. However this drug leaves the body and wears off very quickly so They may not be able to detect in toxicology testing .

Insensitivity = Division
Seems as though many are attempting to cause a divide between Michael Jackson and the African American community...This happens all too often. Michael Jackson was a black man and treated as one by the media and the many who hated him because of his many accomplishments. I challenge CNN and the many bloggers to have a discussion of his many charitable contributions ($300 million) and how he looked beyond race to help others. What some of you dont understand is that some people are above race and view all of US as just people.

I believe MJ misunderstood a lot of things as a young child, which were not explained or went unanswered in life, thus carried over in his adult life, where he became misunderstood...RIP MJ.
---------
NOTE: If you are among those that do NOT wish to hear about Michael Jackson, turn off the TV or turn the page to your News of interest or go to the Interest where you can be in control. When the Playboy Bunny Anna Nicole Smith died in February 2007, I did not hear such complaints or remarks while the media discussed her for MONTHS afterwards, happily distracting Americans from World events. TIP: CSPAN has not changed its discussion.

Dear Anderson:
Proprofol, is what Anesthesiologist use to induce
Anesthesia may it be as a sedative, or to induce Anesthesia. It is given
intravenous and the practioner must ready to control the airway. It is used with close monitors as in a operating room setting.

Frank Ferrer, CT

Let;s talk about propofol ie Diprovan. I have been an OR nurse for many years and Diprovan has been used extensively by anesthesia practitoners for concious sedation and anesthesia. It is given only by IV and can cause respiratory depression or suppression in high doses. Therefore it must be administered wtih constant monitoring of cardiac and respiratory function. This drug is also used in ICU for sedation as well as in some physician offices that do procedures requiring concious sedation
(sedated notrequiring respiratory assistance) Examples of these offices are oral surgery, plastic surgery etc. Perhaps Mr. Jackson had opportunity to receive this medication during one of his (many documented) plastic surgeries. Please give the public factual info

MJ has moved on to a "much better place", if it is true he wasseeking muliple MDs for opiods and opiates, and if his pain was real, then let him R.I.P. His pain is over, let him get the rest he longed for.

I am shocked about the "Lupus Factor" & the comments that he had this disease. I have had Lupus for 6 years and I can't even begin to explain to you the tremendous amount of pain that I suffer through daily. A patient with Lupus "looks" like a drug seeker, "quacks" like an addict, "sings & dances" like a healthy icon; but every minute- of every day -of most of our lives is filled with the most excrutiating pain that no volume of drugs can diminish. If MJ had Lupus then he would probably have had the same cocktail of highly potent opiods, respiratory depressants, stimulants and various drugs that the 'doctors' legally prescribe for me, every single day. The difference is that my 'doctors' require a C-PAP machine to keep the refills coming & me alive through the night. It takes everything I have in my drug arsenal to push down the pain and get out of bed just to go to the bathroom. Talk to "qualified" Lupus Doctors: Pain Management Specialist, Rheumatologist, Neurologist...........

I agree Patriot, with your comments, but people are interested in this story..I know it is repetitious, but the public has an insatiable need to know more and more.
With regards to the passing of Michael Jackson, (this being my first post on the topic) I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a wonderful entertainer and artist, and will be sadly missed by those who loved him the most, his family, and especially his 3 children, whom he will never see grow up.
I'm glad they will be with the grandmother, and I hope they grow up to be wonderful contributers to society.
I heard that MJ had a will at the office of one of his lawyers, and that Joe Jackson has been cut out of it....Good! He was an evil man to Michael and does'nt deserve a dime.

The moment i found out of the death of Micheal Jackson, of course i was very very sad.

I have three questions.

my first Question is:
Why would the MD check on Micheal while he was asleep in bed.
If he didnt know that there was anything wrong with him?

My second Question is:
Micheal had a light pulse but, he wasnt breathing,
As a medical doctor, should'nt he have known to put Micheal
on the floor (or a hard surface) while giving CPR.

My third Question is:
When the peramedics arrived did they find the doctor giving
Micheal CPR, the reason i question you this if you have already begun to conduct CPR you cant stop, unless you get the peramedics to take over. unless the doctor already pronounced dead.

But no matter what the situation, we all know that Micheal is in a better place and his legacy will live on forever. God Bless his children and family.

Won't the autopsy finally settle whether or not he really had vitiligo or not?

King of pop is dead. its sad. I thing he was take a lot more then drugs

I dont think this is a race issue. Nobody is satified with the way they look or the Plastic Surgery offices woulld not be a billion dollar business. Hollywood celebrities lives in the Plastic surgery offices daily around the country. , People have tummy tucks, lip injections tans, boob jobs and removel of something thats not normal.

My brother died recently within hours the ME knew my brother did not drink nor do drugs. No offense to Dr Gupta I tell you Drs in codes do not perform CPR. They usually give orders and call out continue CPR people. If Dr Murray panic on that day he would not have remembered what surface Michael was on. He found a weak pulse he should have right away call 911and provide breathing not CPR. If Michael got even a little diprivan he would go into respiratory distress. As much money as he had why didn't he have a ventilator at home anyway. If Michael wanted to play with these drugs the first thing he should have bought should have been a VENTILATOR.

I think the only news you haven't covered about Michael Jackson, Anderson, is what type of underwear he was wearing at the time of his death. ENOUGH ALREADY.

i believe he did have the disease, but because of his insecurities he did whatever he needed to do to make it blend. even if that meant changing his skin color completly. i gues we will never really know. my only question is, why does it matter so much?

as i have said before to everyone who is tired of watching and hearing about MJ...change the channel! simple solution. try it!

We all feel sad that this happened to Michael. So many of us grew up with him and it's just difficult to accept this tragedy. But what I don't understand is how come no one is saying it like it is. Michael, in effect, did kill himself. From early on he did things to himself that he should have never done. The surgeries; the nose jobs; the face lifts; the bleaching (it was never reported that he had a skin disease) he must've never been happy when he looked at himself in the mirror. Not being happy with himself only caused him to draw further and further away from the society that so so adored him and deeper and deeper into a solitude that is unforgiving. The medications, over the years, were a self induced conscience coma that eventually lead to his premature death.

Michael Jackson DEAD at 50. Enough said! I don't understand why people out there are being so nasty on here! If this was your family member you would just die to read some of things people are saying. I understand Michael Jackson is all over ever news channel. But rather you like it or not he was and still is an ICON! And this whole race thing has got to go, black, white, who gives a ( ya know). Look I'm a white girl from Kentucky and I loved Michael just as the next black person standing next to me. What does race have to do with it. Oh I guess only certain races can be Michael Jackson fans. Bull! I have 2 daughters that are also Michael Jackson fans. Now as far as the whole did he or didn't he do that stuff to those kids, Michael and GOD only know. I myself never once thought he did. In the end remember he was found innocent! Now the only bad thing I have to say to the news channels are, stop making it sound like he did something wrong. My oldest daughter can remember everything that happened in 2003 so she can make her own judgement, but as far as my youngest daughter, it's gong to take her a few years to understand all of it, and I don't want any news channels putting things out there that they don't know is true or not. Let them have there own opinion! Anyways we've lost our icon lets all have some compassion, and remember his family and kids now at there time of need. God Bless the Jackson Family, and may God be with you!

The only thing about his Mother getting the children to me is her age. I am much younger than her and I would not want to take on that big of a job. They need someone younger, just my opinion.

Anderson,

I do not think that MJ's children should be any of the public's business. What if those kids where watching TV while you talk about MJ not being their real father. It is none of our business. Please leave them alone. Enough already with MJ's sad ending. Isn't there any news going on in this world lately beside his death?

I watched in BBC a group of people discussing about Michael Jackson's life and they discussed about his skin colour and race. One person said Michael changed his skin colour because in the 1970s and 1980s white America and white Europe had given the image that black was ugly. I think Michael Jackson changed his skin colour not because he wanted to be Caucasian and not because he was not proud of being African-American, but maybe because he wanted to have fairer skin and because he was unhappy with his original look.

You can't turn yourself another color, he was born black and please respect that, he left us black.

Keep it real.

Eric Jackson Sr.

My question is why was the doctor doing CPR on the bed, according to the 911 tapes? Has he note had a CPR class, the 911 dispatcher had to tell him to move hime to the floor.

I don't know much about Michael Jackson just what the new say about him, but I do think he was a very nice person. The only think that i'm concern about is if his soul went to heaven. Forget all of this stuff down here it's not about nothing if you gain the whole world and loss your own soul.

"When A Man pleases The Lord, He maketh his enemies even be at peace at him." Michael's turmoil is just Michael's. To say that he hated his skintone is crazy. Non-Blacks always questioning the Black population from the way we actulate the English language to our fashion choices. Sadly, Michael and his life is no different.

I'm not going to speculate on Michael's changing color except to say I remember watching The Making of Thriller documentary 15 years ago. There are two moments in it that are particularly painful to watch. Michael is sitting in the makeup chair and looking at one of the prop-cast of his face. Just the look that appeared on his face..it was so obvious that he did not like what he saw. I felt so embarassed for him. I know how it feels to view what the american media defines as beautiful; then realize that you don't fit it. I wish he knew how beautiful he was..by any measure. I love you Michael.

Slight pulse is as good as no pulse. If you can't feel it you do need to go ahead and do compressions.

michael jackson you are in our hearts 4 ever. you inspired me and my family. you were an inspiration to me. yor music will live in our hearts forever. R.I.P. michael jackson.

Who are we to judge MJ on his race change ?
He was a black man, although his skin was not
he was born black right ?
I've followed Jackson's career since he was young watched
all the movies,show and music videos.
He did have a rare skin disease and he did suffer a lot from it
and that is why he changed a lot though out the years.
Either way MJ was a beautiful man if he was black or white he was the
most beautiful man I have every seen

Peace & Love

This article is a perfect example of how the press and media was unfair to michael...why don't you talk about all of the charities he gave to? He set a record for the most charities given to by a celebrity...haven't seen that very much on the news...what did this article do? Raise more questions. Nothing else. Michael Jackson was an amazing performer and an amazing person...Let's talk about his talent and his gentleness. If you are here to say anything negative, why? People who speak about him should want to remember him for what he was-the king. The media messed his life up, now they're trying to mess his death and legacy up. Give up and appreciate a human being

I first would like to say that I am extremely sorry about the death of MJ. I am the same age as Micheal and grew up with him. He was extremely gifted and talented. He is the King of pop. His music and singing made us want to get up and join in. we are very priviledged to have been a part of this. my heart goes out to his family. I pray that God will be with his mother and give her strength now and the years to come. I hate all the bad publicity that is coming out. I will be glad when the memorial service is over. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I do feel like that we do have other important issues that we need to focus on. that is what a book for someone to write about for those who chose to buy and read about. let him rest in peace. Let his family and children have some peace.

Michael Jackson viewed his self as a black man who entertained and loved every race. Who ever did this article is retarded and racist. I agree we need to focus on other things now it has been almost a week of the media trying to destroy Michael Jackson Legacy. No one even talked about Farrah Fawcett's funeral. Just a mess

I grew up listening to MJ. He was someone that gave his all. He gave to many that was in need and what did the world give him. He like all of us just wanted to be happy and loved. I have been watching but I am tired of people putting him down even in death. We have never seen anything where he ever spoke bad of anyone no matter what was said or done to him.

His children loved him as a father and he seemed to be a loving, kind father and now one day they will hear all this mess. Who cares if he was the real father. He loved them and they loved him and is the only father they knew and loved. He loved his family and they loved him.

Please give him and his family some peace and RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!

The RN's story just does not sit right with me.

I loved the BET Awards show and how Jamie Foxx said "He belongs to us...." ; it was sweet and it felt like he was including Mike as the larger black family of he Universe. It was lovely and warm. PS: Regarding MJ's nose, many Celebrities have had nose surgery; the only diff between MJ and other celebs, is that his surgery outcome went awry, as we know from multiple attempts to correct the problem. I like what Jamie Foxx said "I love MJ's nose, all the noses!" (I hope I quoted him correctly). I do too. MJ – I love all your noses.
God Bless You Honey.

I personally do not think MJ was ashamed of his race, I think that like his music, he was universal and because he loved all people, he tryed to do what no other "man" has ever done, he tryed to become one person of all nationalities and he wanted more than anything for love, peace and a happy world for us all!!! i also believe that because of his childhood he did not like who he was on the outside and it was another reason he kert changing his appearance, I just hope that he is in a better, more loving place and would like to see him buried at his neverland, he spent his whole life alone and I feel its just right he should lay in a place that for the most part brought him happiness and so all his fans who love him can visit and show MJ how much he meant to all of us.

His DNA will reveal he is an African American male. Allow him to Rest In Peace and be remembered and celebrate by those who loved and cared for him.

In addition to the above, I would like to mention I have been a nurse for 23 years and the ABC of a code when one has to perform CPR is to either put a board under thatperson or put them on the floor. in order to perform compressios effectively,there has to be a hard surface beneath them.I am a nurse and know this, so a doctor should definitely know this. My next concernis that if a doctor is going to be administering med at home to these people they should have a portable defib. You know that they get paid good money and to protect the patient and their license this should be a must. But, most importantly, let MJ die in peace and let's have a program named after MJ that is drug program to help others not die this way. Let's not let his death be in vein,but let's try to focus on making something good come out of this. After all,we can't bring him back and he did do good things during his life, so let's have something even more important than someone making money on his songs......SAVING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

Mr. Cooper I really like the way you have covered the Micheal Jackson story with class I wish I could say that for Ms. Nancy Grace, anyway, thank you for giving us the news about Micheal Jackson with class, compassion, and kindness. There is a saying my mother had that stays with me (When you live in a glass house don't throw rocks) and it would be good for Nancy Grace and every one else that is being mean to know that, because none of us are in a position to judge. And as a news reporters you don't have to do your job in a nasty, mean way, because at the end of the day you will have to LOOK AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.

The death of Michael Jackson has left me totally in sadness. "King of Pop". His music helped me through an abusive childhood. His story gave me hope. He is gone. I feel hopeless.

First to begin, keep up the good work CNN! As for MJ trying to be white- Are the tanning salons all over for people trying to be black, are they not happy with the way they look?

I believe the doctor did something wrong to Michael!! I think he did inject him with medication that led to his death..The police should investicated this case as a murder case!! This doctor did wrong he must pay for it!!! All doctors that has been given him drug should also pay!!! I have been a Michael Jackson fan all my life and I'm expremely sad over his death.I will be watching his memorial this friday since I'm not able to attend this in California..

While watching the report tonight on if Michael is the kid's real father, there was a man who made the dumbest comment. He stated -look at the kids and look at Michael, it does not happen. White people don't seem to know very much about the African-American race. We were called colored back in the day for a reason. We come as light as MJ's kids and dark as night. So you can not look at his kids and say that he is not their father.

My own grandfather a Black man was put in the White Army in the first world war. He tried to tell them he was black. When they finally got the picture they transfered him into the Black Army.

So, please people try and remember that WE African-Americans come in many colors.

MJ is who he was.... and that should be good enough for everyone else. I have to agree with some of the blgrs. We should just let the man RIP he didn't ge there on this earth and he'ss not getting t now.

I think MJ was just so sad that all the fame and money in the world didn't make him happy. He was very talented and it 's very sad that we have loss MJ AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE! MJ I loved you when you were black and I STILL loved you when you were white because truley it doesn't matter if you're black or white!

MJ was the greatest entertainter that has ever live and he\'s still the greatest entertainter in dearh!

I love you MJ!

I am a fan of Michael Jackson. He was talented and became a bigger than life figure. However, as a black person I am insulted and feel betrayed that Jackson did everything possible to distance himself from his physical black heritage. Even though he embraced everyone and helped the black community, he did not accept his skin color. Even if you accept the fact that he had vitiligo, why wasn't he brave enough to adopt at least one black child. As a matter of fact, he despised his blackness so much that he couldn't bring it on to himself to donate his own black DNA to his kids. Yes, white people use all kinds of methods to get a tan, but I never heard or saw any of them wanting to turn their skin black. Jackson perpetuated the notion that to be black skin is taboo. Anyhow, except for the black betrayal, I love Michael, and I will miss him. Michael belongs to all of us, both blacks and whites.

I heard this all began with the Pepsi accident. The fire burned his scalp and skin. African-Americans don't always do well in plastic surgery, due to scarring and significant hyper pigmentation. CNN has already interviewed a gentleman who said that the drug use began after that accident, but no one talks about the plastic surgery that occur. Someone told me the burns may have been so significant that Michael did extensive surgery trying to cover it up, one thing led to the next and the next thing you know. It's obvious Michael had real problems. It's a sad story.

If these boards are a representation of what the USA is really about,
may God have mercy on us all! Critical thinking skills must be taught
in every school immediately, or we're done.

Isn't it hypocritical of white people to tan? ...are they trying to change their race? I am not black, but I do observe that the whole race / skin issue always seems to have the focus much like a one-way street.

Also, passing judgement is not the role of a compassionate and just society. MJ was and people all over the world are persecuted due to the negative energy of rumors. There was a dermatologist that commented MJ did have a skin disorder...either way – it's interesting that people aren't making nearly the same big deal with alterations like breast enhancement surgeries, they're completely fake – nothing real there...no breast tissue there at all! MJ was also a complicated artist...if he had a vision of himself, so be it...many people also paint themselves in tattoos.

On the issue of MJ's parent's getting custody, I believe it is Katherine Jackson who is awarded the temporary custody, not Joe Jackson (who also lives many miles away).
Now being an adult of a similar situation as a child, I would rather have been with family than an absent mother.
However, in all fairness, you have to wonder why (as reported so far), that according to MJ's Will, he left Debbie Rowe as the guardian, and not his mother or aunts / uncles...were his wishes the ultimate best decision for the children? Sometimes people make judgements that lack in foresight, and the judge may consider this when making a permanent order.

I pray that such a fate not befall anyone ever again. If MJ was still alive, many would still be calling him a freak. Did you hear the sound tracks from the rehearsals?...wow, the sound is magnificent, I hope they release any of MJ's new work as they can...the world could benefit from more MJ talent!

I will miss you Michael I know you were waiting on the world to change the love that you had for all people was pure and real I only wish we could have given you the joy that you gave to all of us.The peace that you have been searching for has come and now you can rest in the loving arms of our creator hope to meet you there.I will rember you always. T

I do feel we should be celebrating Michael as a BLACK/AFICAN AMERICAN. I loved this entertainer I rememember when the Jackson 5 came to Cincinnati at the Gardens . I feel like we grew up together even tough i had started watching him from afar like he was taking away with his new skin color .even tough i new he was still the black Michael like mayb he was off limits. And now his being taking away from us again but brougt back at the same time if that makes any since.I will celebrare his life for the rest of mine.WELCOME BACK MICHAEL & R. I. P WE LOVE U FOR WHO U ARE NOT THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN

Michael was not trying to be white, in his Black & White video the rap was "Im not living my life being a color'.There are so many other things that are important in life like trying to understand all people ,respect,love and giving of yourself as Michael did.

Thanks Anderson for your full coverage on MJ's death. I would like to ask all these people who are talking about MJ turning white. But most white people try to get dark by tanning and no one ever talks about it. So please let Michael Rest In Peace.

Michael Jackson was born a black man and died a black man.It's easy to see that he lacked self worth and wasn't happy with who he was.A lot of people make changes to themselves to feel better on the inside,such as cutting their hair,or getting a new hair color.Michael was fortunate that he was wealthy and could make more drastic changes.Most of the changes seemed to be cosmetic surgeries that went wrong.The changes he made shouldn't take away from the man.No matter what he looked like he was still Michael Jackson.It doesn't matter if he looked white or if he looked black.He was a man with a heart and feelings.He was a man that only wanted to be loved and be able to give love.He gave to others and asked for nothing in return.People have smeared his name and used him because of his willingness to be accepted.I don't care what color he was or what color people want him to be.I know a man that has made all of us dance and sing has passed away.Black or White he's gone.

I must agree with other posters on this site. I found Jamie Fox's comments objectionable, on the BET awards show. Micheal Jackson encouraged the sentiment that we are all brothers and sisters. He belonged to all of us and had fans and friends of all races.
How can the BET awards say that they are celebrating Micheal Jackson and make such narrow minded comments. That point of view was definitely NOT representative of Michael Jackson.

Whether Jackson wanted to change his race or not. No one will truly know except Jackson and God, so it's not fair for the outside world to judge a man when we don't know what he went through on the inside.

Before you judge micheal everyone look in the mirror! Their's something about everyone of us we don't like and if you had the money you would do it too! Haven't none of us walked in this man shoes, let us stop judging. We were all blessed to be able to see a young boy from a small town in Indiana become the greatest entertainer in this world! Celebrate his life and remember the good he have done for all ,not the negative. He was trying to bring a generation together through love. God bless you micheal,rest in peace!

MJ changed his look but we all knew that it didn't make anyone what color Mj was he will always be "The King Of POP". I'm sure he wanted the one person he loved his mother to raise his children. And I'm sure she will be wonderful with her grandchildren.

In my opinion, Michael did not look a thing like his father. You can see him in his mother and sister Janet and the few photos of his children flashed on television show them to look like Michael, his mother and sister Janet. I will be surprised if they are not his biological children, but anything is possible in Hollywood.

Michael has some issues just like everyone, but I don't think it was being black, but being offspring of Joe Jackson. That man is a piece of work.

Greetings Anderson Copper, thank you for being on CNN, you are a good news reporter I rank you with Trevor McDonald ITV New At Ten England.
Michael was my hero, I will miss him and his presence in the world. I strongly blame the Santa Barbra District Attorney's office for Michael death and the family from the first case should return the money the stole from Michael. The Santa Barbra District Attorneys office should pay all the legal fees and say a big public sorry for the witch hunt they brought around Michael. It is a shame in this day and time of so called civilization that people can still bring false allegations against an individual that are un founded, and then they expect the man to turn around and pay to defend himself this is total American Bull Sh*T

Michael Jackson is the greatest man to be born, he will live for ever more in the hearts of his family, children and fans.

I learned along time not to believe every thing that is reported in the news, but I do agree with many comments. The Child molestation charges where a witch hunt and should not be mentioned on any self respecting news team, channel or news paper.

Let Michael rest in Peace and feel the love from all his family friends and fans

One Love

Why does race have to come up all the time? Why is it even being given any attention? Only when it's a black person, does race become an issue.

Can't people just understand that there is no greater gift to a child than self-esteem? Michael obviously didn't have any. Quit adding race to things as if it matters. i am a white woman, but no matter what is going on I don't mention, nor does anyone else mention that I am "white" about anything, from depression to any other decision I make.

Why is it always the race card coming out and putting what is important on the back burner? Are we still that narrow-minded of a society?

On the topic of Joe Jackson...I can understand MJ feeling as he did. I feel as the public, we are a little hard on him. He was called to raise 9 children, 6 of them boys. We forget they were being raised in Gary, IN at first, not Hollywood. Looking at the plight of African American men in this country it seems as though some of what he did helped groom them into the superstars they became regardless how harsh. There would not have been the Jacksons or Michael Jackson without Joe Jackson. Even those that work closely with them as children never reported witnessing any broken bones, black eyes, busted lips, etc. As far as emotional abuse, that's not always unusual in a close knit family. I feel that God don't put us into any situations we can't handle. Katherine Jackson was a strong, loving woman who balanced out what could have been really bad for her children. I feel that Michael and his siblings are the only ones who have a right to voice their feelings about their dad. Being an African American woman, I don't know the prescription for raising a son like Michael Jackson, an African American superstar and worldwide icon so I don't feel I have the right to criticize Joe Jackson. If he didn't achieve anything else, he achieved putting his children on the right track to stardom.

I hate it that now when Michael Jackson has passed everyone now says how great he was, we should all have done this when he was alive, honoring him for the great artist that he was. Now all you see on television is people who probably hardly knew him sayin that he was a close friend and just trying to get some 15 minutes of fame at MJ's expence. I heard one comment i think that it was on the BET AWARDS the other night they said that MJ was theirs as the black man that he was, and they said that they shared him with the world. that upset me, the reason for that is that now that MJ has passed now the black race wants to claim him like MJ was their property. I think that obviously he didnt want to be black but no matter what race he didnt belong to any one he is a human being , and a great artist the king of pop. The best thing that has happened to Music besides Elvis but they were both kings!! May they rest in peace.. But people really need to stop makin this a racial thing and stop trying to get their 15 min of fame at his expence.. We should all respect him and we need to remember he was someones brother, father, son. Please respect the family.. MAY MJ REST IN PEACE WE ALL LOVE YOU!! WISH YOU WERE STILL ALIVE!!!

great article. i liked all the perspectives in this as well as the anecdotes. same here. race is really hard because you feel like you have to identify with your race, and that if you don't that therefore means you've given up your i'm just like you card. people forget that in the finality of it all we're all human and we all bleed blood. we all have a brain, a heart and other phsycial things we share, and we even share some very metaphysical/unmeasurbale things as well, yet we always forget that WE ARE ALL HUMAN. i feel sorry and i also don't feel sorry for mj. i feel like of all things he couldn't overcome, or that he did but he became stuck in certain aspects of his physical and emotional life. i just wish it was different for him. i also wish i didn't keep feeling like he died so young and never accomplished what he truly wanted because you know what he was lucky. he was talented, even if his talent brought him a lot of pain. he lived life...however more constrained it became. he was 50 years old and has done more than a lot of people. he was a complex person. i concur with others that maybe cnn needs to move on and keep up on the news that is happening around the world and domestically. thanks for your insights though carmen. love your name. i will be visting that racialicious website.

DEBRA S. -None of us are in a position to judge anyone, however, Michael was allegedly abused as a child BY JOSEPH JACKSON, NOT his MOTHER...the one who has legal guardianship of his children and practically the only family member he fully trusted with all his heart...hence, he chose her to care for his children. Furthermore, Katherine lives at the family compound in Encino and Joe reportedly lives in Las Vegas and has been separated from his wife for at least the past decade. I'm pretty sure that with all the aunts and uncles, the children will be just fine and very well supported. ALTHOUGH~ I must say that this whole ordeal is pretty weird!!

Joe Jackson is a greedy, ignorant, unfeeling man with no manners.
If he was my father I'd want to wipe off any trace of him too!
Send Joe away, back to NV.
No matter what Michael did to himself I still admired him. It just didn't matter why he did it.
This is such a tragedy. Michael Jackson belonged to all of us, he belonged to the world.

For those tired of MJ in the news...why? So you can hear about more freaking politics?! Now that's sickening.

I don't think that it is the public's business who are the biological parents of MJ's kids. Even in death the news media cannot let him rest in peace. Please let him rest in peace! He obviously loved his kids very much and he took good care of them. Biological parentage does not make you a parent. It is love and caring and being a positive loving force in a child's life that really matters.

what has become of this world, in which we live.we ask questions that we already know . we made micheal the icon that he left this world being and want an answer to what happen to him and that answer should be given,but his family,children,wives etc should remain private,the jackson's are a family who deserve respect and privacy like any other family that lost a family member.instead of all
the questions about his children, his skin color his debt, wealth
let us start leaving something we can all give prayers to micheal's
family.may god bless this family and through the times to come
keep them strong!!!!!!!!!!!

it dose'nt make a differece if he is black or white he's a great preason with love for all man kind there will be no other to ever take his place 1 and 1 only micheal jackson that changed the world to be a better place he is a angel now and will god .please keep story to your seft please don't judge him . tell the true stosy and no lies let the man have peace god is a forgiving god . you cant beleave everything you read now of days my heart gose out to his beloved mother and micheal jackson kids . they will let us know what happen to there son . i am 50 years old to and i listen to his songs all my life from abc 123 .i never meet him but wasalways in love with micheall jackson like a brother i never had .heaven bound angel with wings now fly away micheal god bless him and his family .please just let his mother riase those kids it what he wanted song leave it alone

I might have been in MJ's shoes except that I didn't have abusive father.
I am not white but admired white face that we can see on TV or runway.
I wanted to have white features myself and didn't like the typical features of my own race. But at the same time, I liked the fact that non-white people age well after 20s.
Well there are good and bad on both sides.
So I think Jackson preferred the white face features to his own but he preferred the black DNA in music and dance to the white's.
He was an insanely perfectionist which driven him to his own perfection to own a perfect face of his ideal.

Bottom line, the famous Michael had become and was around Michael was White People and Michael had to at one point become not comfortable in his blackness so Michael had the money and change his color and his features to look like a White person. Poor,Poor man. I wish Michael could of Loved himself The Blackness that God made him to be.

I think the BAD video was when he was at his finest , in fitness, and appearance also. He really looks good and healthy. After that things seemed to take a turn for the worst, appearance wise. When I watch the video now, I cry. I wonder what happened to such a talented dancer and entertainer. with so many people around him, no one stepped up to the plate for him. I think it is very tragic. He was a gentle spirit and very full of emotion, and no one nutured that in him when he was young growing up. You know what they say about your "INNER CHILD". He ended up having to nuture the child within him himself.

I am so sad about Michael's sudden passing . I also have been watching all the coverage and only hope and pray for the best for his children and family with the outcome of his tragic death and his worldwide legacy.

I just wanted to share that I saw him in 1974 at Marine World Africa USA, San Carlos, Ca. At the time, he must have been about 15 or 16 years old. I was on a school bus for an 8th grade field trip to that amusement park (we all were about 12-13 years old). Of course, we were excited and wanted to see Michael Jackson!

We were then told by our teacher and the bus driver to stay in our seats and not get off the bus because Michael Jackson's limo was in front of us. We then watched a teenage Michael, not much older than ourselves, exit the limo with many adults, presumably body guards. After they entered the park with Michael, we were allowed off the bus; however, we were told to leave him alone and not to go near the vicinity of where he was at the park. I must say that memory of him has always stayed with me. His music, his legacy and his children will be his truth. I know I saw a musical sensation and entertainer grow up with me. I just watched "Michael Jackson Home Movies" on "Youtube" and I cried and laughed and saw with my own eyes again the man, son, brother and father he came to be. May he rest in peace.

how many white people try to be darker by going to the beach to get a tan or tanning beds, or self tanning creams, are they all trying to avoid their race?

Michael Jackson did work with black people
he did turn into white but he was still working with black artists
maybe he did hate his black fater maybe he did hate his black skin
maybe he did not hate his black skin but thoght he will be more accepted as a whithe (to think such things comes with reason, sadly) maybe he was jst sick

but he was not a rascist, else he would not work with black artists or say that he is proud to be a black american

maybe he just hated him self as he was, maybe he was just trying to break with his own roots ... not because he comes from a black family but maybe because his family was not his luke

he did much good things for poor people of all colours

ho ever is trying to connect michael jackson with rascism must be sick and just an ignorante idiot

people who allways try to connect things with rascism are self rascists

there can be many other reasons why he turned into white ... self hate ... sicknes .. maybe a psycic complex

but to speculate if a guy who said that he is a proud black american was a rascist can only be done by rascists who ry to connect everything with racism

and if he turned into white because he a race matters it must be very sad for a cilivilisated free world as the USA ... if michael jackson saw just any reason to change his race it can only be because he thoght that a black skin is not good as a white skin ... if that happens to anyone in the USA it is only because black and white is not the same in the USA ... and thats not free or civilicated ... thats rascism and the last trash as such on world

so if people try to connect MJ with rascism they deliver us the reason in the same time as they try to connect the race of someone with some problems

allways searching if the one race is better then a other race

that a sad world with people who cand open theyr mind and allways keep on race and "the others"

if they are right and if he turned into white because some reasons based on race it must be because in the USA not all races are the same
and that mean nothing else that the USA is a rasistical trash because such people wo cant get over race

i think he was sick ... maybe he had a illnes of skin ... maybe he was sick in his head .. but i dont think he was a rascist as the people who wanna turn him now into a rascist without any reason but theyr own rascism

MJ was great and got over any race and he proofed it by working with all colors

everyone who search now for rascism is a poor lost soul who still sticks in the time of slavery ... the best is to ignore theyr ideology and even better theyr existence because such ideas bring nothing else up then some kind of middle age

We create heroes to worship of debase. This is sad and no exception.

this is so sad, agreed mj is an icon but let us not forget farrah fawcet, david carradine who was buried on saturday, mcmann, landon! there are other things to report, life around the globe and our own economic woes! let him rest in peace finally! mj has already been a legend but he isnt the only legend so lets celebrate them all, its not that he is the greatest, he can be remembered as one of the many legends in our history! white or black , black or white does it matter!

ON RACE: Thank you for speaking so candidly about race. I am of the mind "let's celebrate our differences" rather than asking the world to become ONE boring place.

I can imagine that Michael's experiences are similar to my own. As an African American woman, MOST Pantene commercials, revlon etc. feature long haired Caucasian women as beautiful. Until recently, there have been few African-American beauties (even now...these are typically biracial children with curly long hair). Like any other human...Michael wanted to be ACCEPTED first. I am sure this is part of what MIchael was experiencing. If you read Toni Morrison's, "Bluest Eye", it offers some insight as to how we get to that place of longing to be somewhere...anywhere else. For example, I don't have long hair. Many AA women don't feel comfortable when our hair is not straight b/c long hair is deemed beautiful. Every time we turn on a commercial, turn a page in a magazine...beauty is defined for us. Never mind our genetic constraints. Look at Michael. He wore wigs for quite some time. To him...that was what was acceptable (straight hair). I still have issues when I date, knowing what's accepted by the masses. I have fought to see my natural self as beautiful and plan to instill it in my children. RACE is an issue. How we got here...that's another story but it's not going away and it IS important as a social construct. Michael may have been torn between mass acceptance and self-acceptance. I know I am.

I absolutely abhor accepting rumor as truth. Nobody TRULY knows what Joe Jackson inflicted upon Michael. We DO know he was harsh. He couldn't have known HOW his harshness would affect Michael. Each child is different and if he treated Michael like he treated the others...that is often a common mistake made by parents. We also KNOW Michael wouldn't be WHO he IS today without a Joe Jackson in his life.

We shall miss Michael's added contribution to today's music. Remember...you did not not know him completely. Neither did I. Apparently, very few did, including his family.

Im not sure that Micheal Jackson wanted to be white but he made sure his kids were. There is no need for debate on whether the kids are his biologically just look at them. He may have changed his skin but his DNA is still black. Anyone who says that he is their natural father is stupid or just scared of not being politically correct.

Following up on this story about whether Michael considered himself white or black. I think that is interesting that his three children are definitely not black. That it would appear that Michael was a white man raising his three white children. I would add, it appears that he was trying his best to be a good Dad.

Well, you've "michael jacksoned" me to death. I no longer watch CNN.

Cool

I'm absolutely disgusted with what's going on with the media and how they're treating Michael Jackson's death. Not once have I heard them talk about the millions of dollars he's donated to charities or the famine victims he's helped. The media trashed him while he was alive and not that this man isn't here to defend himself they're trashing him in death. And now because so many people are coming out of the woodwork just to get in a comment about MJ they think it's the truth and credible without even finding out the facts first. Now they want to say he isnt' the biological father of his children. Whether he is or not is irrelevant! Being a good parent isn't defined by a man's DNA! He was their father regardless of that and Anderson Cooper and the rest of CNN along with all other media should remember that MJ's children have possibly heard this garbage they're spewing about their father. CNN have some class, sympathy and respect and remember that their are innocent children involved in all of this! They have just lost the only parent they've ever had! The last thing they need is to hear the media trash their father. You people are unreal!!

To Michael Jackson: You have a legion of fans globally that have always supported you through your ups and downs. Your light has touched us in some way or another. We felt we knew you through your music and charitible gifts to those in need. We will never forget you. You legacy will live on for decades to come! I love you Michael!

Hey Anderson
Michael Jackson death is a tragedy.All we have to know,how this could happen.I am sure Anderson you will find the answer.
To know what happened ,will maybe help to realize his death.