Conflicted Identities: Michael Jackson and the Problem of Diversity in America

Questions of identity surrounded Michael Jackson in life and death. A Sept. 21 panel discussion at Vanderbilt University focused on larger issues of identity and diversity through the lens of the late pop stars life and career.

The discussion, Conflicted Identities: Michael Jackson and the Problem of Diversity in America, included the following panelists:

Chase Lesane-Brown, Vanderbilt research professor in psychology and human development

Paul Lim, Vanderbilt assistant professor of the history of Christianity and assistant professor of religious studies

Ifeoma Nwankwo, Vanderbilt associate professor of English

Tiffany Patterson, Vanderbilt associate professor of African American and Diaspora studies

Category:

Education

Tags:

• vanderbilt
• university
• michael
• jackson
• music
• diversity

[PersianButtons]

Blah blah. That's what art does. He was an artist, he made art. There are many people who have done this and on the same great scale. All you have to do is take a history class to know this. Oh great, so as soon as Michael dies he becomes a part of art academia. Talk about killing the music. He'll be the next Schoenburg in thirty years. Gag me. These are the kinds of discussions I had to sit through in advanced composition history classes in college. UGH! YUCK!

[DealerDirekt]

MJ was torn to pieces and taken advantage of til death. The media, music industry, and even his fam all treated him like a broken token machine. Through it all he kept his sanity the only way he knew how, through his music, fans, and children all the while being slandered, threatened, and poisoned by the very ppl who managed him as an artist. He talks about it alot...he was afraid for his life...he even refused to comment on it. I am ashamed that I was one of those ppl who turned there back. RIP

[patnkb]

I'm not going to watch this but I will say stop using Michael's name. You certainly did not know him and all you can do is speculate like the media does. He always Identified himself as a black man do not let the vitiligo fool you. Shame on you for using his name. Find somebody else to prey on.