Rev. Al Sharpton in New Controversy Over Comments that Michael Jackson Paved Way for Barack Obama to Become President

Here we go. Fallout from the Michael Jackson memorial service yesterday is being debated this morning. Rev. Al Sharpton said, during his speech, that Michael Jackson helped President Barack Obama to become the first African American president of the United States by breaking down racial barriers. Jackson didn't seem interested in politics, but he was daring in music and broke down many barriers there. He raised the bar for entertainers very high and shattered them himself. There are no singers today who can duplicate the King of Pop. Jackson advocated self-improvement over organized action and was a tireless advocate for humanitarian causes such as anti-poverty, HIV/Aids and education programs. His only foray into race-based issues came when he called Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola a racist, in 2002, and accusing the record industry of ripping off black artists.

“He wasn’t interested in electoral politics, but he was interested in causes in the black community. He contributed to a lot of charities and was close to the Rev. (Jesse) Jackson and to Rev. Sharpton,” says poet and essayist Ishmael Reed, who wrote about Jackson in “Mixing It Up,” an essay collection.

He has been in the company of three presidents, including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George H. Bush. Before his 2003 arrest on child molestation charges, of which he was acquitted, Republicans felt very safe to stand in his company. In 1984, President Reagan invited Jackson to the White House to thank him for supporting a campaign against drunk driving. “He is totally opposed to Drugs & Alcohol and is using his popularity to influence young people against them,” Reagan wrote in his diary at the time.

President H. W. Bush complimented Jackson, who appeared with him in the Rose Garden in 1990 and noted that Jackson had received a humanitarian award from the Capital Children’s Museum. “He does good work, what we call the ‘Points of Light’ concept,” said Bush, referring to his national volunteer program. “Glad you’re here, sir. Very pleased you’re here.”

Lastly, Jackson sang “Heal the World” at President Clinton’s first inaugural gala, in 1993. Nine years later, even after allegations had emerged of inappropriate behavior with children (child sexual abuse charges had been settled out of court in 1994), Jackson appeared at a New York fundraising concert for the Democratic National Committee.

So, it is safe to say that Michael Jackson embraced a vision of a post-racial America, but I cannot say that he is the reason why President Obama is in the White House. There are a myriad of reasons that led to his historic win and that is not solely attributable to Michael Jackson. I do understand Rev. Al Sharpton's position, that Michael Jackson transcended race early in his career. He had millions of fans of different ethnic backgrounds and he personified that "it doesn't matter if you are black or white." You will recall that the president ran a campaign second to none and he is a transformational leader, who has the charisma of Ronald Reagan, the charm of Bill Clinton, a solid education and a deep conviction that we can overcome anything. He also personified what America should be about -- unity and he was a meltingpot in his own rights. Lastly, the time had come for a serious and drastic change in America.