Sunday, April 3, 2011

White Enough For You


Michael Jackson was unquestionably the most popular entertainer in modern history. His music reached every corner of the world. His shows electrified millions and videos dancified billions. Even in death Jocko earns big money for his estate and Sony Records. His fans overlooked accusation of child molestation and drug abuse. He was the King of Pop. A black man with his degree of success should have been comfortable within his skin, however MJ altered his color from medium-brown to a paler tan without achieving high yellow. Doctors explained the transformation as a reaction to treatment for the vitiligo and lupus. His detractors criticized the singer as selling out his blackness. Few suggested that his increasing whiteness had a beneficial effect on his popularity, but facial surgery deflated his lips and gave him a cute clefted chin and shrunk his nose.

Jackson ended up marrying his nurse. She was mother to two of his kids. A little whiter than him.

Metamorphosis can be good. They can be bad. Abraham Lincoln received a letter from a young schoolgirl suggesting that the Republican nominee grow a beard to gain votes. His advice won the man from Illinois the 1860 Presidential election. He was the first president with a beard. Many were to follow, however none in the 20th or 21st Century.

The pundits of the far-right batter the present president without mercy. Obama can't do anything right. The economy added over 200,000 jobs and Fox News complained that they were not well-paid. His policy on intervention in Libya was portrayed as wishy-washy, although his GOP opponents backed his plan before its launch. Flip-flopping suits his rival, who are experts at smearing a man's good name and deeds, especially if he's a black man.

A beard will not help Barack Obama in the polls, but the Hawaiian native son could possibly bolster his re-election chances by undergoing skin-whitening, because the real reason for white people disliking the president is that he is not one of them, even though he is half-white.

50% is not white enough for America.

White up, Barack, your people will forgive you.

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