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2nd post because I have to add, we say a lot of things about Jermaine, and we poke a lot of fun, but this was a touching speech. He stood up there and spoke not only for Michael and Michael's reputation and legacy but also to America's youth. Jermaine has a positive message here and you can hear the love in his voice. Jermaine chose to speak out and give back and reach out. If one kid hears this and it speaks to them then it was worthwhile.Please listen to what I have to say. Please read this entire post.One thing we, yes WE, lose site of, the Jackson family came from very humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana. They truly are the American dream. A poor black family living in a tiny (TINY) house in the murder capital of the US, a derelect town, surrounded by gangs and violence and crime.... Joe shepherded that family to a better life, and if it wasn't for him.... for JOE, we may never have known Michael.This is Michael's home in Gary. Think about this. Think about growing up here and what it took to become the Michael Jackson we know from these beginnings. Next time you diss Joe, and say hateful things about him, remember that he took his family from here to where they are now. There are 100 million Black families in America living in homes just like this one:Michael's life could have easily taken a very different path. It happens every day. It happens more often then not. Those who have never been to Gary may never be able to understand. Michael's story is amazing. He came from poverty to rise to the greatest heights of a world icon. Not just a pop star but a global figure. And he never lost track of his roots, he never forgot to give back, he never turned his back on his community. He NEVER walked away and left it behind.You can go to Gary but you better be careful. Google search it if you're unfamilier. Gary, Indiana is the murder capital of the country. If you are white your best advice is to not stop within the town limits. Not even at red lights. The police may pull you over for running the light but only to tell you the fastest route out of town. It is a dangerous place to be lost in. 50% of the town is abandoned and burned out. Derelect buildings rise to touch the horizon of a town that once was but will never be again. The average income of a Gary family is about $12,000 a YEAR. Crime is rampant. People are killed on the streets. Women are raped in the back alleys. Drugs are sold out in the open in parking lots. Homeless live in the many abandoned buildings. Don't venture outside of your vehicle unless it is to pay tribute to the King of Pop. People are poor and desperate. They live among burned out shells of homes and businesses because there simply is no money, nor will to clean them up. It is heart breaking. All this within site of the Sears Tower in bustling downtown Chicago. The town has been forgotten, discarded, and ignored. Why? Because the Blacks moved in and the Whites fled. They fled the town and took their money and influence and split and never looked back. Worse they sought revenge. Revenge by condemning the town politically and economically.I urge everyone to research Gary. It is a nationwide shame.Black America is in crisis. There is a systematic, imbedded culture of racism in this country. If the Jackson family had been white, I don't believe they would be subjected to the criticism that they are. I don't believe they would be the butt of cruel jokes and scrutinization of their every move and word. America loves to see a black man fall from grace. If the Jackson's had been a white family they would have been championed and held up as a shing example of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. They would be reveared as heros and a model for the rest of us. Michael scraped out an existance for himself that was on top of the world. Is accomplishments, and that of the entire family made him a target in this country. Eyes need to be opened. We need to recognize the ugly truth. Racism is alive and well and it drives this entire campaign of hate against Michael. Racism drives the campaign of hate in this country. It touches all corners of life here, like a cancer. Even our President suffers it's affects. Racism is a disease and it threatens the future of the free world.We need to make a change. Speak out against hate. Speak out against discrimination in all it's forms. You can do your part. One voice makes a difference. Sometimes one voice is all it takes to turn the tide of perception. Let it be yours.
I just saw thebook inside of the Invincable cd and the first page is a special thanks to here
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