ISSUE 261 : Wednesday, September 2, 2009

"These prophetic lyrics were encased in the last song Michael Jackson ever sung in public at the Staple Center rehersals for the "This Is It" Tour, four days before his death. In 1995 "They Don't Care About Us," was the fourth single released from the HIStory Album. It stirred immediate controversy because it made use of ethnic slurs, which lead to charges of antisemitism. The record was suppressed in the US never getting past #30 in the Billboard Top 100. But around the world the record soared to the top ten and stayed at the top of the charts in Germany for 30 weeks.

Spike Lee, who would direct the music videos for "They Don't Care About Us", asserted there was a double standard in the music industry. He claimed that the use of the word nigger, in music, does not cause controversy. Additionally, he stated that Michael used the word nigger on another song on the HIStory album, but it did not attract media attention.

Words. The power of words, can reach beyond the grave. The song, which was placed on YouTube in an extremely rare 6:16 editor's cut (see below) has garnered more than half a million views since being posted on Michael's birthday last Friday, August 29,2009. Going through almost 1000 comments, the global emotion inspired by the video shot (against the wishes of Brazilian Authorities under the power of a court injunction) in a shantytown of Rio de Janeiro, and in Salvador, Bahia, is highly evident.

As has been the case for Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Levi Stubbs, I have been asked to write four memoriums for Michael's burial at Forrest Lawn tomorrow.   To understand the depth of the world's sense of loss, I have spent the last few days reading through the 1995 reactions to the last song. A sad commentary, indeed.

The possibility that the lyrics to "They Don't Care About Us" preached antisemitism was first raised publicly by The New York Times on June 15, 1995 just days before the album's release. The publication highlighted the lyrics, "Jew me, sue me, everybody do me/ Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me" and labeled them "slurs".

Michael responded directly to the publication, stating:

"The idea that these lyrics could be deemed objectionable is extremely hurtful to me, and misleading. The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted. "

Then after widespread apoligies for those who were offended he went back in the studio and re-recorded the song with revised lyrics. Today's words in the comments on YouTube about "They Don't Care About Us. have an entirely different tone:

" We're all being brainwashed
and ? I'm pretty young
And i researched all this
and it makes perfect sense
if some one of 14 years could understand this
Then there's hope for you all."

So I have one day to show my respects in four different ways.

""they" in the song is talking about "the illuminat
research their plan for a ? new world order."

One day to sum up a lifetime of friendship for four people who love and miss him so much.

"I love this song.
Makes me want to buy a drum :) ?"

What can I say that hasn't been said...after what Michael said? "Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me." There is no one left to record over those lyrics. No one, Ever.ß

"I think although they need to stop with the new documentaries & investigations that just go over what we already know, it needs to be made a big deal of. The media & paparazzi & all of those other sickos destroyed a wonderful human being. I think ppl realised it, & want to blame someone for what happened.( Me included.) Bt I don't think MJ would have wanted that. I think if we should take away anything from this, it should be that we have to learn to ? forgive, to love & be good people. R.I.P MJ"

All I can do is click right here and listen to his last song, one more time. Please join me and leave any comments you wish for the world to know. MJJ:RIP