WOW!!! My first blog post EVER!!! I'm psyched (and proud of myself.)
Before I critique, first let me say I absolutely LOVE this song and this video as it shows a side of Michael I briefly touched on earlier. “They Don’t Care About Us” has to be one of his most controversial songs Michael Jackson every wrote. The song was a part of his HIStory, Past, Present and Future album released on April 1, 1996. It could be categorized as hip-hop with a bit of reggae flavor, mixed with prevalent drum percussion and a hint of Rock heard during an electric guitar solo bridge.
I find the song interesting because this is one of the rare occasions that Michael publicly responded to media and drew attention to world events by bringing to light the injustices brought against him along with inequality and discrimination around the world.
“They Don’t Care About Us” spoke to two (2) audiences, one being the downtrodden, abused and socially oppressed discriminated by society where he was their voice; the other being the abusers themselves voicing how the oppressed felt. The lyrics shared Jackson’s anger against abuses of power from the past and present. He sang about hatred, prejudice, police brutality and through the words and sound you could actually FEEL his emotion.
The song’s intent was to draw attention to the topics many try so hard to overlook or ignore as Jackson hoped it would bring about discussion to change. However, many saw it differently. “They Don’t Care About Us” came under fire shortly after its release as the New York Times and many members of the Jewish community felt Jackson’s lyrics were racist and antisemitic referring to his lyrics, "Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me."[1] Immediately, outraged Jackson responded,
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.[2]
After almost a week of debates and controversial press, Michael decided to issue a formal apology to the Jewish community and returned to the studio taping over the words that caused offense substituting “do me” and “strike me” for “Jew” and Kike”. These changes would be published on all future album copies (as the initial album had already been distributed to stores).
I couldn’t POSSIBLY give my full opinion of this song without discussing the video (or should I say “videos”) produced to promote it. As controversial as the song was, WHO ELSE could Jackson have chosen to produce the work other than Spike Lee. Lee, an African-American film producer and director, known for sending messages of civil protest, discrimination and piercing political messages through his films, jumped at the chance to work with Michael bringing the lyrics to life.
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| First Video in Brazil |
The first video was filmed in two of the most impoverished cities of Brazil. They fought numerous battles in court brought by state authorities who felt the video would damage their image and their chances of hosting the 2004 Olympics. After numerous battles and a ruling against, the decision was overturned by injunction and Jackson was given permission to film.[3] With the help of 200 young band members and the supportive residents of these cities, he created a stirring and memorable experience.[4]
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| Video of Prison Version |
But he didn’t stop there; Jackson decided to produce a second video in the United States at a state penitentiary using actual inmate – this being my favorite of the two. In the video, he is also an inmate cuffed and chained in a jail cell. I loved the choreography along with the “real footage of police attacking African Americans, the Ku Klux Klan, genocide, execution, and other human rights abuses.[5],[6]
I conclude by saying, in my opinion, this video was one of Michael Jackson’s best works as it showed a side of him rarely seen publicly responding to the masses with his opinions on civil unrest. The song was controversial, edgy and made us look at things we may not have. As far as the controversy, how could anyone who knew of Michael’s philanthropic work, love for children and messages of love see the song as antisematic or filled with hate? His intent was to send a message … and that he did.
Thanks Michael.
[1],2Weinraub, Bernard (June 15, 1995). "In New Lyrics, Jackson Uses Slurs". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
[2](See footnote1)
[3] Schemo, Diana Jean (February 11, 1996). "Rio Frets as Michael Jackson Plans to Film Slum". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
[4] Jackson, Michael / MJJ Productions, Inc. “They Don’t Care About Us”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJL6nfu__Q, 1996.
[5] "First look at Michael Jackson's new music video on Entertainment Tonight". (March 29, 1996). PR Newswire.
[6] Jackson, Michael / MJJ Productions, Inc. “They Don’t Care About Us”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAi3dJIJwgI, 1996.
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