- LOS ANGELES -- The recent
arrest of pop superstar Michael Jackson in Santa Barbara County, California
on charges that he molested a 12-year-old boy has unleashed a storm of
media speculation as to the guilt or innocence of this man. Jackson's family,
the black media, and many within the black community have lashed out with
anger at images of Jackson's arrest. Accusations of "racism"
and allegations of a plot by law enforcement to "destroy" Jackson
have been publicly stated. Yesterday, BET.com (Black Entertainment Television's
website) posted a front-page story, which said, "Black America is
spitting mad" at the images of Michael Jackson in handcuffs. Messages
were posted from members of the site including: "The public is lynching
our men" and "No matter how much money you have...society will
remind you that you can only go as far as they [whites] will let you."
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- But one black author is warning blacks to stop making
this into a race issue. The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson author of From Rage
To Responsibility and the new book SCAM: How The Black Leadership Exploits
Black America (WND Books) says, "The media is treating Michael Jackson
just as they would any other celebrity engrossed in controversy. Robert
Blake, Kobe Bryant, Trent Lott, Rush Limbaugh, and others have received
similar treatment."
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- Jermaine Jackson (Michael's older brother) told ABCNEWS'
Barbara Walters in an interview on Friday, "I'm requesting an investigation
of the investigators." He added, "They're a bunch of racist rednecks
out there who don't care about people."
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- Rev. Peterson said, "Blacks are rushing to judgment.
This is not a black and white issue, and black people must stop making
everything racial. The truth will come out in due time. But to cry "racism"
every time a black celebrity is charged with a crime is insane."
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- Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is the Founder and President
of the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND), a nationally recognized
nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles.
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- BOND "Rebuilding the Family by Rebuilding the Man"
- Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny
- PO Box 35090 LA, CA 0=90035
- www.bondinfo.org
- Contact: Ermias Alemayehu
- (323) 782-1980 (213) 804-1872 Cell
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