Core Response 3/29: Black Masculinity and Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is an interesting character to study in his embodiment of black masculinity. In a way, he embodies black music while also incorporating it into mainstream pop. But he also was not what most would say represents “black masculinity” because of his racial and gender ambiguity. Although he denies the fact that he had undergone surgery to look more white, the evidence is clearly there. Throughout his years, with more treatment you can see his intentions to transform into a more white version of himself. 

With his transformation he slowly took on a more sexually ambiguous role as well. Media did not know what sexual preference he preferred to identify with, because he would never comment on it. I find it interesting, because of his own image and association with masculinity. Michael Jackson never allowed himself to be the masculine man that fought other men and bulked up to be “macho”. That is seen in the Beat It music video in which there is a fight that breaks out and he is inside of the bathroom alone. He breaks up the fight with his charm distinguishing to the audience that he has a sexual appeal on not only women but also men. 

The fact that he took on a role that was more sensitive showed a different part to Black masculinity than what most would expect to see. In the past, African Americans, seen with Paul Robeson, were shown as strong, sculpted and manly. Dating back to their unfortunate past with slavery, their association has always been with strength and macho-ness. For Michael Jackson to convolute that image as being a black man, that is sexually, racially, and gender ambiguous is most interesting because he does so while also personifying a white man within his transformation. 

Similarly, Thriller answers some of the media’s questions as it is about him watching a horror film with a lady friend. His embodiment of masculinity is interesting because it blurs the boundaries of societal expectations of being a male but most especially being a black male. I feel that Michael Jackson underwent his transformation to feel more accepted in society, due to shaking up so many different societal standards.