Speaking at the Staples Center service today, Sharpton, addressing himself to Jackson’s children, declared:
“Wudn’t nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with.”
I understand the desire to console children who have lost their father. But how does it help to do so in such an transparently truth-defying manner? One of my sisters recently celebrated a milestone birthday and the family staged a big party. One of the themes was the embracing by her, her children, family and friends, of her strangeness. Trust me, she’s not within a million miles of Jackson-strange. But the forthright acceptance, nay, celebration, of my sister’s uniqueness made for one of the most real, honest, clarifying and happy events I’ve ever attended.
Surely it ultimately would have been more helpful to the Jackson kids to hear some respectful truth about their father rather than being told there was nothing odd about the man.

3 Comments
I guess being born a poor black male and dying a rich white woman doesn’t strike Al as being a little odd.
And that part about that kid who described with great accuracy a certain blemish in a certain area as well as MJ being in the sack with young boys is, well, I just ate dinner.
Yeah, nuthin’ out of the ordinary here, Al.
-Dave
I guess in Al Sharpton’s world, if you’re black, whatever you do is both peachy AND keen!
Good everlovin’ grief!!
Yep, for AL, race trumps everything, no matter how weird he was.