text:
The Ghost of Jealousy
Willa: So Joie, on a number of occasions when asked about the scandals that surrounded him, and the way the media turned against him and really vilified him in later years, Michael Jackson suggested that one cause was jealousy. And I always interpreted that to mean that certain individuals (like Evan Chandler) were jealous of him, and that's certainly true.
But then Lisha McDuff, Harriet Manning, and I did a post a few weeks ago about blackface minstrelsy and how it was motivated in part by envy – racial envy. And then the other day I was listening to a 2002 phone interview with Steve Harvey, a black comedian and radio host, and I was really struck by the fact that when Michael Jackson talked with him about jealousy, he said "us" – not "me" but "us," that people are jealous of "us" – and I think that "us" means successful black entertainers.
It's funny – that one little word opened my eyes to a completely different way of interpreting what he'd been saying all those years. It seems to me now that he's not talking so much about personal jealousy, though of course that's part of it, but about racial jealousy – the jealousy of whites against successful blacks. As he tells Steve Harvey,
They hate to see us grow and build and build, and there's nothing wrong with that [with growing]. They can and it's ok. What can I do but reinforce the talent that God gave me? That's all I want to do, is share the love and gift of entertainment. That's all I want to do. I don't want to hurt anybody.
Here's the interview, and the part about jealousy starts about 8 minutes in:
Joie: I had forgotten all about this Steve Harvey interview, Willa. And speaking as a Black American, I agree that he's talking about race when he makes his jealousy statement.
You know, this is actually an issue that many black people have struggled with and talked about among themselves for many, many years. Michael's statement that, "They hate to see us grow and build" is a very real phenomenon in our society, and it has been going on since the birth of our nation. Or rather, I should say, since the end of slavery in our nation. And he wasn't just talking about successful black entertainers. He was talking about any Black American who has found great success in whatever field they happen to work in, whether they're famous or not. In fact, I believe that it's one of the prevailing factors for all the backlash President Obama has seen during his time in office.
Willa: I agree. Part of the backlash – against Michael Jackson and Obama as well – is caused by racial prejudice, I think, but I hadn't thought about it before in terms of jealousy – racial jealousy. That's interesting, and it's also interesting that Michael Jackson's words seem pretty obvious to you and not so obvious to me. I wonder if that's intentional, and it gets back to the idea of "language and power" that we talked about with Bjørn in a post a while ago – that Michael Jackson is using language in a subtle way so that it means different things to different listeners.
You know, if we look at his exact words, he's speaking in a pretty indirect way. He never says the words "black" or "white," and actually never mentions race at all. But still, if a listener is familiar with that ongoing conversation that you're talking about, Joie – one "that many black people have struggled with and talked about among themselves for many, many years," as you say – then his words are obvious, but if a listener isn't aware of that context, then that just goes right past them. So I wonder if he's speaking in a careful way with two distinct audiences in mind – specifically, if he's talking in a way that immediately resonates with blacks, but doesn't alarm or offend whites because we don't really get what he's saying.
Joie: It's interesting to me that you think that, Willa. That he's talking in some sort of code or something in order to connect with the black audience but not alarm or offend the white audience. Because to me – and probably to any other black person listening to this interview – he's not speaking in a careful way at all. In fact, when I listen to this interview, I hear him speaking in a very relaxed, very open way. He's not being cautious and careful with what he says because he knows that there's no reason to. He's speaking to another black entertainer, and his two black co-hosts, on a radio show geared toward a black audience. He obviously felt very comfortable with his surroundings in that moment. And he obviously knew that he was among people of a similar background (the Black American experience) who would understand immediately what he was talking about. So there was no need to speak "in a very careful way with two distinct audiences in mind." So, I'm saying that I don't think he was purposely talking in code or anything.
Willa: Well, that's true, Joie – he does sound relaxed and comfortable. But still, a lot of things are left unsaid, like the words "black" and "white." It's like there are gaps between his words. And he's not just speaking to a black audience – radio waves go out to everyone – and whether it's intentional on his part or not, I think different listeners interpret his words very differently. Or maybe it's more accurate to say they fill in the gaps differently.
There's a similar situation in the song "Ghosts," which was written after the 1993 allegations and strip search. Here's the chorus:
And who gave you the right to scare my family?
And who gave you the right to scare my baby?
She needs me
And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?
And who gave you the right to take intrusion
To see me?
And who gave you the right to shake my family?
And who gave you the right to hurt my baby?
She needs me
And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?
You put a knife in my back
Shot an arrow in me
Tell me are you the ghost of jealousy?
A sucking ghost of jealousy?
He's talking about the false accusations and the strip search ("who gave you the right to take intrusion / To see me?") as well as the scandals that followed, and once again he suggests the real motivation behind them is "jealousy." He never mentions race, and I never interpreted it that way – as racial jealousy. I thought he was just saying that Evan Chandler and Tom Sneddon and Diane Dimond and all those other figures working so hard to bring him down were envious of him and his success. But now I'm wondering if I was misunderstanding him – that he was talking specifically about racial jealousy – something Harriet mentioned was part of blackface minstrelsy, and a much larger cultural narrative as well, for more than a century.
Joie: Ok, I guess I see where you're going with this. And when I think about it, there were no accusers or "other figures working so hard to bring him down" as you say that I can think of who were black. So, maybe you're on to something.
Willa: Well, that's true – none of the people working hardest to smear him were black, unless you count Stacy Brown. Just as importantly, it's very interesting how different people reacted whenever he suggested – however indirectly – that the scandals plaguing him were tinged with racism or racial jealousy.
For example, in a 2005 interview with Jesse Jackson, Michael Jackson said that the public persecution he faced "has been kind of a pattern among black luminaries in this country." When Jesse Jackson asks him, "How are you handling it?" he replies,
I'm handling it by using other people in the past who have gone through this sort of thing. Mandela's story has given me a lot of strength – what he's gone through. The Jack Johnson story … called Unforgivable Blackness. It's an amazing story about this man from 1910 who was the heavyweight champion of the world, and thrust into a society that didn't want to accept his position and his lifestyle. And what they put him through. And how they changed laws to imprison the man, to put him away behind bars just to get him some kind of way. And Muhammad Ali's story … All these stories that I can go back in history and read about give me strength.
Here's a link and the discussion of race starts about 4:15 in. It's an astute reading of his situation, I think, and places the false allegations against him – and the police and public response to those allegations – within a context of other successful black pioneers who have been targeted by the authorities.
However, his words caused outrage, as well as some pretty snide remarks. In an opinion piece in The Los Angeles Times, a white academic, Elaine Showalter, wrote this:
Although he has tried to present himself as a target of racist envy and malice, comparing himself to Nelson Mandela (the ace of race cards) in an interview with that swiftest of spiritual ambulance-chasers, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jackson's race is as indeterminate and ambiguous as his sexuality.
Elaine Showalter was a groundbreaking feminist scholar in the 1980s – I read some of her work back then and had a lot of respect for her – and I can't believe she of all people would be so oblivious and write something so simplistic and so snootily patriarchal. This is really troubling, I think, in many different ways – not the least being her assumption that, because his skin is no longer dark, he's somehow disqualified from talking about race or pointing out the racism that surrounds him.
Joie: Yes, that remark is incredible, isn't it? And you just want to ask her, you know … if she had suddenly found herself with a disease … let's say breast cancer for instance, and had to have both her breasts removed, would she suddenly not be a woman anymore?
Willa: Wow, Joie. That's a powerful question. I never thought of it like that before …
Joie: Or if there was a disease out there that caused a white person's pigment to darken, would she no longer be allowed to identify herself as Caucasian? I mean, she's not just saying he's disqualified from pointing out the racism that surrounds him. She is saying that he no longer has the right to identify with the black race. That he no longer has the right to call himself a Black American. Her very comment is incredibly racist on so many levels.
Willa: That is really interesting, Joie. When you reverse the situation, it really highlights just how much she's talking from a privileged position, doesn't it? Why does a white person feel she has a right to decide if a black person is black enough to suit her? That isn't just incredibly offensive, it's nonsensical. I can't imagine a black person ever saying that about a white person.
I mean, picture a person with two white parents who grew up in a white community, as Michael Jackson did with two black parents in a black neighborhood in Gary. And then try to imagine some sort of circumstance where a black person would say that person wasn't white enough to speak from a white perspective. I just don't think it would ever happen, and it wouldn't make sense if it did because we don't have a cultural history of blacks forcing whites to meet their expectations of whiteness. But we have a very long history of whites forcing blacks to fit white definitions of blackness, as Lisha and Harriet and I talked about.
But I shouldn't oversimplify this. It wasn't just whites who reacted badly to the Steve Harvey interview. An opinion piece by Sinclere Lee in Black News Weekly was just as snarky:
If Michael Jackson is guilty of anything and should go to jail, for, it's when he compared himself to Nelson Mandela. I know Nelson Mandela! I met Nelson Mandela when he came to Washington! Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest freedom fighters in the world! Nelson Mandela spent 27-years in prison to free the Blacks in South Africa, and you can't do a day in jail! Michael, don't believe that shit Jesse Jackson is telling you, you are no Nelson Mandela!
Joie: And to me, this is a ridiculous statement because Michael Jackson, and Jesse Jackson for that matter, both knew Nelson Mandela personally as well. Michael didn't simply "meet" the man when he came to Washington. He knew Mandela very well. He and Mandela were actually very close friends for many, many years.
And Michael wasn't comparing himself to Mandela in that comment. He was saying that he uses Mandela's story as a source of inspiration to deal with the blatant racism he was experiencing. There is a huge difference.
Willa: I agree completely, Joie. And what can possibly be wrong with saying that Nelson Mandela inspired him?
But while this article is just as bad as the Showalter piece in some ways, there's an important difference, I think. While Lee criticizes Michael Jackson for comparing himself to Mandela (which he doesn't do, as you pointed out), she doesn't scoff at the idea that racism is involved, the way Showalter does.
Joie: That's true, she doesn't. In fact, she never even veers off in that direction. Her main focus is simply the fact that she was personally offended by the thought that Michael was comparing himself to such a great freedom fighter.
Willa: Exactly. And I think that difference is subtle but important. Elaine Showalter seems to think it's ludicrous to suggest that racism played a role in determining how Michael Jackson was treated by the police and the press (while I think it's incredibly simplistic to assume racism wasn't involved) but Sinclere Lee doesn't make such a naive assumption. While a white academic may think racism played no part in it, Lee knows better.
Joie: That is interesting, isn't it? You know, Willa, sometimes I wonder if you could take a poll now that everything is over and done with and Michael is no longer with us … how many people today, white and black, would admit that race played a factor in how he was treated by the press and the police? You know, now that we've all gotten a little distance and perspective. I wonder what people think today. Does that make sense?
Willa: It does, and that's another really interesting question, Joie. My sense is that feelings about Michael Jackson have softened a lot since he died, and people are much more likely to see him as innocent now that he's gone. We talked about that in a post last spring. But I don't think people in general – and white people in particular – are ready to acknowledge what a huge influence race and racism had on how the allegations were perceived by the police, the media, and the public. The idea of racial prejudice, and especially racial envy, makes whites very uncomfortable, I think, and most whites don't want to even consider it. But the more I think about this, the more I think Michael Jackson was absolutely right, and racial jealousy was at the heart of it.
I mean, it's very interesting to really look at what people are actually saying at different points, and how they're saying it. Look at what Evan Chandler tells him the last time they meet. He points his finger at him and shouts, "You're going down, Michael. You're going down." The implication seems to be that Michael Jackson has risen too high, and now Evan Chandler is determined to take him down.
Randy Taraborrelli expresses a similar idea in his biography. Based on Chandler's accusations, the police conduct a strip search, and here's how Taraborrelli leads into his description of what had to be a humiliating and truly horrible experience:
The bottom line is that Michael has done whatever he wanted to do for most of his life, living in a world of privilege and entitlement simply because of who he is. … However, in December of 1993 Michael was about to experience, if just for one day, what it might be like to live in the real world, where people often have to do things they may not necessarily want to do.
This passage is so shocking to me. You would think Taraborrelli's focus would be on the evidence, and whether the strip search confirms or contradicts Chandler's accusations – supposedly that's the point of it, after all – but it isn't. Taraborrelli is much more focused on the psychological impact of the strip search, and the effect it will have on how Michael Jackson sees himself and positions himself in the world. Taraborrelli seems very critical of Michael Jackson "living in a world of privilege and entitlement," and now the strip search is going to bring him back down to "the real world," and Taraborrelli speaks approvingly of that. He seems to think it's appropriate that Michael Jackson will be brought down, "if just for one day." And it really feels to me that Taraborrelli's words express quite a bit of jealousy.
Joie: Well, you know how I feel about Taraborrelli, and I believe that there are several spots in that book where he comes off as jealous of his subject. So, I agree with you completely on that statement.
Willa: But is it jealousy because of his wealth and his celebrity? Or is it racial jealousy? Or is it a combination of both – is he jealous that a black man, especially, has been so successful? I really wonder about that, especially since both he and Evan Chandler talk specifically about the need to bring Michael Jackson "down."
That language and imagery of bringing him down reminds me of a horrifying scene in Uncle Tom's Cabin that we talked about in a very painful post a long time ago. Rosa, a beautiful young slave, a teenager, tries on a dress belonging to her owner, Maria. Maria walks in and sees her wearing it, becomes furious, and sends Rosa to the whipping house. Here's Maria's explanation for why she orders such an extreme punishment for such a trivial offense:
She has all her life presumed on her delicacy, and her good looks, and her lady-like airs, till she forgets who she is; – and I'll give her one lesson that will bring her down, I fancy!
So Maria isn't angry so much because of the dress, but because it's a sign that Rosa "forgets who she is" – that she is a young black woman, and a slave. Maria feels very threatened by that, especially since in many ways Rosa is more truly "lady-like" in her looks and bearing than Maria is. So Maria intends to shame her and remind her of "who she is," and scorch it into her memory so severely she'll never forget again. In other words, Maria wants to bring about a psychological change in Rosa, and "give her one lesson that will bring her down, I fancy!"
It seems to me that's exactly what Taraborrelli is talking about with the strip search – that it will cause a psychological change in Michael Jackson that will "bring him down" from his "world of privilege and entitlement." And it's what Evan Chandler is talking about when he points his finger and shouts, "You're going down, Michael. You're going down." And I think it's what Michael Jackson himself is referring to in "Morphine" when he sings, "I'm going down, baby." He's being brought down by the same impulse that brought down Rosa more than 150 years ago.
Joie: That's an interesting comparison, Willa. And one you're probably right about. But, I guess what I'm getting at is, I wonder if people's attitudes about the whole situation … and really about his whole life … I wonder if their attitudes are truly shifting and softening, or if it's simply a case of "don't speak ill of the dead." Do you know what I mean?
Willa: I do, but I don't know the answer. And I'm not sure people themselves know why their feelings have changed, or how deeply they've changed. Or what truly motivated their feelings against him to begin with. I mean, maybe feelings have softened because he's gone, and because there's no reason to feel threatened or jealous of him any longer.
Joie: I don't know. I'm not even sure why it matters or why that question sort of haunts me. I guess I just feel like here was this special, beautiful, talented, loving man who only wanted to make the world happy, and he was ridiculed and persecuted and hated for it. That bothers me.
Posted on February 13, 2014, in Michael Jackson and tagged Elaine Showalter, Ghosts, Harriet Manning, Jesse Jackson, Lisha McDuff, Nelson Mandela, racial jealousy, Randy Taraborrelli, Sinclere Lee, Steve Harvey, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Bookmark the permalink. 36 Comments.
I agree that racial jealousy played a part in Michael's treatment by the police and the press. I think Showalter calling Michael's race indeterminate also points to the anxiety Michael's vitiligo caused people, over and above the anxiety his success caused them. Michael was believed by many to have intentionally lightened his skin, to have intentionally tried to become white. I think Michael's perceived attempt to cross that barrier (to "pass") was very threatening to a lot of people, but their fear of his change in skin color was never really discussed or examined. The public's response was generally expressed as anger or ridicule, but not as the fear that I think was really there. I think that anxiety about Michael not staying in his lane in terms of skin color has also been expressed in how some people have reacted to the skin color/facial features/hair type of his children.
Very thought provoking discussion, and I also appreciated MJJJusticeProject's comment very much. I have never really bought into the whole racial argument with respect to Michael, because I guess, coming to MJ fandom late in life (and, to my undying regret, after the end of his life) I have always seen him as a citizen of the world, rather than as being of any particular race or nationality. Of course I realize this is a naively simplistic view of what for Michael was something he lived with his whole public life, as with other successful, ground breaking individuals. If you get too big for your boots, there will be plenty who want to put you back in your place. Whether 'that place' is defined by racism, or jealousy of fame, success and money, or just fear of genius and difference, I am not in a position to say. I am not an American, and my own country is such a polyglot of cultures about which most of us have a pretty relaxed view, that I am not in a position to comment. I can't know what it must have been like for Michael as a Black American to feel that there were those who were out to 'bring him down'. Given how the press goes after the rich and famous, and particularly pop icons, film stars etc, eager to dish the dirt, I would have thought Michael's being black was of little consequence. But again, that is naive of me, because I've never walked in those shoes, so I can't possibly know. But it seems from the quotes you cite and other things I've heard or read, that he definitely felt that way about the treatment he received at the hands of his persecutors. So it was obviously very real to him, and he obviously felt it very keenly. The Tababorelli excerpt just reminds me how much his book on Michael made my blood boil. The man's books are tabloid 'journalism' at best, and his bio on Michael a betrayal of his supposed 'friendship' with MJ. I definitely think he WAS jealous of Michael's success, which he did not share in beyond a youthful age, but of course, he cashed in on his one-time association throughout Michael's lifetime and certainly after it… until the heat applied by some of us fans made it too hot for him and he bailed out of the subject. I thought that was pretty cowardly, but nothing less than I expected of him. I really don't think race was a part of that jealousy, but more a case of Tababorelli knowing someone who has become the biggest star in the world, and the most recognizable person on the planet, while he'd become someone who just writes about him, is dependent on him and others who have gained success. (By the way, because I can never remember how to spell his name without looking it up first (despite having many friends of Italian extraction) I generally refer to him as Randy Tabloid, which is I think most apt. Hopefully that does not make me an insensitive name-caller and put me in the same league as some of Michael's enemies!) In the end I tend to a view I hold on most issues, which is that a single cause/motivation can seldom be determined, because there are too many contributing factors. In Michael's case, his whole stated and re-stated mission to 'heal the world' and attempts to maintain a childlike loving view of everything and preference to think the best of people, and trust them accordingly (often to his detriment) made him just too 'strange' and unbelievable in a cynical world. It's a repeating pattern in history as I'm sure you're aware. The visionaries are seen as freaks, both by their own and by others. Michael never said or sang it better than in the "Ghosts" short film. For some his difference, his mission, his vision, really WAS scary for them.
From everything I have read I've become convinced that the savagery Michael endured was racially motivated. They just could not stand that a black man had achieved such heights. I've heard varying graphic descriptions (not from Terriboreli's book) of the stripsearch, and the last I knew the photographs were still held under court seal. Is that still accurate? Imagine Michael going through what turned out to be the final 15 years of his life under the threat of public release of these photographs. And I cannot understand how Michael's reps or counsel could ever have permitted that atrocity to occur, even with a warrant issued by some judge. No celebrity, none of them, today would allow himself to be subjected to such a thing. It definitely was a conscious effort to bring down the world's most successful black entertainer and keep him "in his place". Of course Sneddon must have seethed anew when Michael composed and performed the song "DS" when touring around the world. Michael refused to be kept in the "place" Sneddon and his corrupt crew had in mind for him. Thanks for this post which has given me a chance to vent about the mind-boggling SS and the motives behind it.
Great post, again ladies.
As for the view point on Michael changing since his death, I will add that I find it very interesting that this seems to be the case with many black figures that only once they can no longer speak will the public start listening. MLK and Muhammad Ali come to mind. And we, the MJ fans and community, must be knowledgeable of this because Michael's art and voice could be taken away from us/him and turned into something it's not a la MLK.
Thanks again for giving me something to think about!
Given the US's history, racial jealousy was definitely at play and Michael knew it, hence the references. Classic example: Tom Sneddon, a man who couldn't stand having a rich, Black, male landowner in his midst. Land ownership is a big part of the American dream, and Michael's sprawling ranch seems to have taken on nightmarish proportions to Sneddon. African American writer James Baldwin approaches this from another angle in his "Freaks and the American Ideal of Manhood" : "He [MJ] will not swiftly be forgiven for having turned so many tables, for he damn sure grabbed the brass ring, and the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo has nothing on Michael. All that noise is about America, as the dishonest custodian of black life and wealth; the blacks, especially males, in America; and the burning, buried American guilt; and sex and sexual roles and sexual panic; money, success and despair…".
This was an interesting and in my opinion, very relevant post. Denying that race had anything whatsoever to do with how Michael was perceived and treated always makes me think of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, The Emperor's New Clothes. It seems to deny the obvious role of race, though I also think Michael's extreme "otherness" was also a huge factor. I think he actually cultivated his otherness in a way that inspires great admiration, even adulation, but also revulsion, depending on who's doing the viewing. He furthermore rubbed salt in the wounds of many who view the world through a race prism by refusing to be get into the narrowness of race. He was proud of his heritage and roots, but saw himself and all people as One and human first. He never wanted to be distracted or redirected from that–and that probably made many people, both Black and White–quite furious.
On Willa's question: "…what truly motivated their feelings against him to begin with. I mean, maybe feelings have softened because he's gone, so there's no reason to feel threatened or jealous of him any longer…" I would like to suggest that Michael deeply understood the latent feelings (of jealousy, or resentment of successful Blacks) that may reside in too many White people, and his whole oeuvre and challenge was to break that down. He was, in fact, hugely successful in breaking down those feelings–more than any other Black figure had been. He inspired a love and sense of Oneness that many people of any race had not experienced before. He made people realize how absurd and insignificant and artificial a division race is, but not only race. Then there was an enormous backlash. The media became a tool to not only make Michael "go down," but also to inspire and inflame the whole resentment thing to a frenzy in the minds of anyone who wasn't in a sense already WITH Michael, inspired by the vision of Oneness that he never stopped striving for throughout his life. No matter how bad things got or how under siege he was with people trying to push, push, push him back down, and into the grave, ultimately, Michael held onto that vision.
And yes, now he's in the grave before he should have been, because of that pushing down. I have to disagree, however, with any suggestion that, being there, "there's no reason to feel threatened or jealous of him any longer." I'm afraid that his legacy is still very much under attack. Because it wasn't just the physical Man that needed to be put down–it was the message tied up in the legacy and all his work. Do you not see the efforts made to define him still …as a super-weirdo, if not worse; a sad case of a psychologically damaged has-been unable to recapture his lost glory; a drug addict; an egomaniacal pretender to titles like King of Pop; an asexual, regressed little boy who refused to grow up (diagnosed with the Peter Pan complex recently by his "friend," Deepak Chopra in an interview…? Do you not notice how the media and every PR machine in this country promotes and cheerleads anything at all related to The Beatles (not even American but, significantly, White)? Yet decent books about Michael cannot find publishers, so potential biographers of the highest calibre, who you'd THINK would want to write his incredibly rich story, continue to stay away from him as a subject?
No, I'd say that Michael Jackson and what he stood for are a threat and/or a cause for tremendous jealousy still, in some quarters. If anything, his death and the renewed interest in him and the softening you mention are cause for redoubled efforts in some quarters to deny, disenfranchise, and denigrate him as any options I mentioned above and more. There was great success in those portraits, after all, while he was still alive. The definitions were nearly set in stone before the man went and up and died, and then, to everyone's surprise, the entire world turned up to mourn. I don't think the scale on which he was mourned has even been fully acknowledged. It was extraordinary what happened to the internet, if you remember, but how much have you heard about the entire phenomenon since?
One final point: jealousy (or insecurity, or whatever you want to call it) on the part of Whites is no doubt a big factor in what happened to Michael. But what about Blacks' own insecurity? Didn't many in the Black community disown him because they too were uncomfortable with changes in his physical appearance and his appeal to other (mainly White) audiences worldwide? It seems to me that he was not Black enough for many Blacks. Michael couldn't win and his vision couldn't win, and he must have known it, because his own people didn't buy it entirely, either. There was a symposium that touched on this issue at the Schomberg Center in NYC in 2009. Many Blacks turned their backs on Michael because he wasn't Black enough to suit them (somehow Prince gets a free pass on this score.) On numerous occasions, I've had Blacks express uncertainty or embarrassment (and even anger around the plastic surgery choices he made that seemingly erased much of what was most "African" about his appearance) to me about Michael. They don't seem to know where to put him, how to categorize him. They seem to wonder if they should embrace him–and I believe this must have caused as much pain to Michael as White insecurity did. I hope you'll consider talking about this other reality in one of your future blogs.
Very perceptive commentary. The effort to diminish and misrepresent Michael Jackson's legacy continues unabated, particularly in other English-speaking countries. I do disagree that Michael's so-called "otherness" was a factor, apart from racism. What, really, was so unusual about him, especially compared to many other musicians? Despite his vitiligo, like Jack Johnson, it was Michael's "unforgivable blackness" which engenders the fury against him, the almost psychotic need to "put him in his place". How dare he be so rich, so talented, so loved! How dare he believe he can run a movie studio alongside Spielberg, Katzenberg, and Geffen! How dare he own the Beatles catalog!
Howard Stern has said that he decided to call himself the "king of all media" because he was so outraged that Michael Jackson was known as the King of Pop. (Evidently Elvis Presley's kingly moniker didn't bother him.) Think about how deranged that is – a career decision made not from ambition, but racial spite. Stern's lurid questioning of Lisa Marie Presley about her sex life with Michael is quite revealing – the threat of Michael's black male sexuality was palpable. That's why I find all the talk about androgyny, asexuality, and gender so ludicrous. As Michael told Shmuley Boteach, the media campaign against him went into high gear when white women all over the world were shown swooning over him. No "gender identity" confusion there.
There are bright spots here and there. On Jeopardy recently, the had a category for Eighties Hits. For three of the five 'answers', the correct 'question' was, "Who is Michael Jackson?"!
Thanks for this much needed discussion. And thanks for posting the Steve Harvey interview. I so loved hearing Steve showing his appreciation for Michael and hearing Michael's gentle voice and his laugh. Such a great laugh.
The Tarraborrelli quote is unbelievable!
"The bottom line is that Michael has done whatever he wanted to do for most of his life, living in a world of privilege and entitlement simply because of who he is. …"
Not because of who he was, but because of what he did. Michael was not born into a world of privilege or entitlement. Everything he had, he worked for… and he worked very very hard.
"However, in December of 1993 Michael was about to experience, if just for one day, what it might be like to live in the real world, where people often have to do things they may not necessarily want to do."
This is just so revealing and what it reveals is ugly. Very few people, black or white, ever had to experience what Michael went through. Because, as you point out, very few people excite the kind of jealousy and desire to "bring him down" the way Michael did — because he was black and because of his incredible talent and success. Clearly Tarraborrelli was tarroberrily jealous.
I have never had any doubt that what Michael endured was in large part a consequence of racism.
I have never heard of anyone else, besides Michael Jackson, who was forced to endure a strip search, based on allegations, and being told that a refusal to do so would be an indicator of his guilt. I was shocked when I heard about it at the time. I am still shocked that it occurred. The fact that they inspected and photographed his entire lower torso, back and front, to me indicates that this was an exercise in humiliation of the highest order and meant to "break" Michael.
MJJJusticeProject is absolutely correct. This was a "slave" being inspected by the "masters".
There is no place in hell hot enough for Tom Sneddon and the cowards who persecuted Michael throughout his life.
I agree, Corlista, that those photos should have been returned long ago. Disgraceful and shocking that they were ever taken, but hanging on to them after death is beyond the pale.
I agree that racism is behind the media vendetta, although they refuse to admit it. They even defend their 'J–o' epithet as unconnected to a racist name for a monkey, even though there is so much evidence, including children's books where the monkey character is called J-o and dolls of the same character were sold up into the 1950's.
I agree and I also think that racism has always played a part in the treatment of Michael Jackson, by the media. I know many people naysay that, Imo simply because it was more subtle than say in the Jim Crow era of the South. That subtley Imo, was even more damaging to Michael's image than outright bigotry, in its insidious, cumulative affect, meaning say a lie long enough and it becomes the false 'go to' for the truth. Meaning for many that is as far as they go. TPTB are not stupid that way. Rev. Farrakhan touched on it/exposed the subtley in this interview with Arsenio Hall just after the strip search.
But, what they didn't count on was that Michael could 'out think' them.
And boy did he. He bound his soul to his artistic works, His story is there for all time. The only ones who don't see it are the ones who are willfully blind. they perfer to hate. But when all is said and done, there it is. Which reminds me of a couple quotes are the staying power of truth.
"Three things cannot long be hidden. The sun, the moon and the truth." ~ Buddha
and "The truth is like a lion, you don't have to defend it, turn it loose, it will defend itself."~ Augustine of Hippo
Maybe not in our life time, but Michael will have his rightful place in history.
Yes, thanks for that clip–I agree the strip search was the ultimate manifestation of the power of the state to tell Michael who was the real authority and to 'put him in his place.' I like what Farrakhan says about the media playing the exact same role. The media in effect created their own caricature of MJ–which they then set up as the
'real' Michael Jackson. Their version was desexed and de-race'd–a sexless person who was neither black or white, who was not even really human. When Diane Sawyer said to LMP–"married?–married?–to Michael Jackson?? How weird can it get?" she essentially proclaimed him unworthy of human affection. It was the amalgamation of the combined power of the state and the media that MJ had to deal with and oppose.
I believe jealousy is at the heart of the Wade Robson situation as well. Not so much Wade's jealousy of all that Michael achieved – although that's a component – but jealousy of Jamie King, who has beaten Wade out of a number of high-profile jobs. (There may be a racial component there as well; Jamie King is half black.) It's telling that MJ never hired Wade as a dancer or choreographer. Why Wade thought he was 'entitled' to stage a Jackson show is a mystery.
I thought Wade danced in the Jam video?
Wade was a kid extra. He never performed with MJ as an adult dancer. He never staged a Michael Jackson tour.
Thanks VC, I've been wondering about that. I know he dances as a child for a split second in BorW and Jam, but if I'm not looking specifically for him, I miss it. I've read he's in the HTW short film, but honestly, I've never noticed it. I suppose one of these days I'll look and try to find it.
I also couldn't think of a single example of WR working with MJ as an adult and started to wonder if I had just missed it. To be honest, his dancing looks awkward to me, it's hard for me to imagine him working in a polished, super-refined MJ dance chorus.
I think Tom Mesereau was wise not to play the "race card" during the trial, but that does not mean racism wasn't involved. Law enforcement was incredibly prejudiced against MJ. The very first day they received Jordan's complaint in 1993 they decided MJ was guilty. They completely ingored every evidence that shed doubt on these allegations and instead of trying to uncover the truth they tried to coerce other kids to make allegations in support of Chandler, they twisted things as they pleased etc. They did not have an honest investigation at all. I'm sure a part of it was a personal bias and prejudice against MJ – not necessarily because of his race, but the fact that he was different. But it also involved race. It would be ridiculous not to consider the racial element.
Re. strip search
I wonder what constitutes a "probable cause". Because as far as I have heard searches can be carried out only based on "probable cause" and I heard normally they do not consider an allegation by one person a "probable cause". Normally they have to have something stronger than that to carry out a house search, yet Michael was subjected IMMEDIATELY to several house searches after the Chandlers made their allegations. In August, 1993 they searched Neverland, his Los Angeles condo and a hotel room he usually stayed in Las Vegas. Then in November they also searched his parents' home in Encino and the offices of doctors who treated him (dermatologist Arnold Klein and plastic surgeon Steve Hoefflin). Then in December the strip search. I have never heard about strip searches being carried out – not even in other child molestation cases. It was highly unusual. And according to the Chandlers' book it was not pursued by them but by Sneddon!
Then in 2003-04 again they raided Neverland with 70 sheriffs and – what is less mentioned – they also raided the homes and offices of several associates of Michael, they carried out search warrants on his bank accounts, phone lines, just everything imaginable! Altogether they carried out about 70 searches or so if I rememer correctly. It's like they were after the Al-Qaeda! It was harrassment and I cannot imagine how it could be justified legally. Obviously law enforcement (including judges which gave permission to these searches) were just very biased against MJ.
And yes, the photos of the strip search have never been returned despite of MJ requesting it twice. In 2005 he was acquitted and they still refused to return the photos!
Sorry to disappoint you, but there's something fishy about that Newsweek article. 🙂 I live in Denmark, and have never seen said interview with Mandela, nor been able to find it. Raven at the Allforloveblog investigated the case, and came to the conclusion that the article wasn't serious: http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/cbd-faq-q1.htm
Oops, wrong link… Here's the right one: http://www.allforloveblog.com/?p=8788


text: Ok after a few days I think everythings straightened out... The EU server managed to stay playable for a good 5 hours today and I havent seen many complaints about the Dallas server other the fact that it's not in Chicago =[. The autobalance/scramble function should be there, just dont abuse it I guess since people believe it or not do get pissed off when they get teamswitched and are doing well. The !mute function works, I've tested it thoroughly on Jakkarra and it hasn't had many if any issues, it does a string comparison for people's names so to mute flame you can do !mute fl or my personal favorite !mute [dfc]j =] Myself, Icky, Snacks, Nine, and Grazr are immune to your slays and drugs and shit so don't bother. If I see someone pyro airblast glitch in the server aka spamming compression blasts/fire I'm just going to kick you with no warning. The uploader seems to be fine, try not to make me upload maps if you havent tested the map yourself ( I had to upload a map that wasnt successfully pak'd today and it emptied the server ) Icarus uploaded a new rotation, if somethings missing let one of us know, not that the server gets used very often without testing but since the next contest is Valve's we will probably be seeing more traffic. Don't use the fun commands unless its like flameday or some form of tomfoolery testing... anyway any complaints or necessary fixes throw in this thread, thanks =]

subset: commoncrawl


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Through history, many towns got renamed, often by totalitarian, ultra-nationalistic or communist regimes. Most of this renaming happened past 1918 under the influence of Wilsonian self-determination, where people would eliminate traces of "foreign" imperialism.
As far as I know Zabrze is unique in that it was renamed Hindenburg in 1915 (after Paul von Hindenburg). Back when renaming towns was something almost unheard of; I do not believe Germany renamed any other towns before the nazis took power. St. Petersburg being renamed into Petrograd is the only other example I can find in pre-1918 modern history, but that was in Russia.
I believe the name "Zabrze" couldn't easily be correctly pronounced by a non-local German person, however many other Silesian names (hem, hem, Chrzumczütz) couldn't either and those weren't renamed at the time. Is there a particular reason why they renamed Zabrze ?


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More highlights from last night: Bristol was disappointed with her scores. The Situation was confident. Florence dedicated her song to her late husband, and then Corky practically made out with her. And Margaret Cho made the subtext into the text with her celebration of the gay.
Results! The Situation and Karina are safe. They're thrilled. Bristol and Mark are in jeopardy. Florence and Corky are safe. Ooh, y'all, I think Margaret and Louis are going home. They're still in jeopardy, and I thought Florence might go home instead. So now that she's safe, I've got a bad feeling.
Clip package about how emotional the process is every week. Wednesdays are a feeling of hope and a fresh start. This leads to frustration when you can't learn the dance quickly enough. Then the anxiety starts on Monday before the live show. The show ends, and you feel relieved, but then you have to come back the next night for the results. But then, if you are revealed to be safe, it's an enormous relief. But now you're, as Rick Fox says, back on the roller coaster and starting the whole journey over again.
So the four couples in jeopardy are Kyle and Lacey, Rick and Cheryl, Margaret and Louis, and Bristol and Mark. But you know who's safe? Kyle and Lacey. After a commercial break, we find out that Rick and Cheryl are also safe. I feel like this is a choice for the soul of America. Did America vote for gay or vote for abstinence? Not that you can't be both gay and abstinent. Or straight and non-abstinent. You know what I mean. Anyway, Margaret and Louis are going home. I am sad. I looked forward to seeing what Margaret did every week. Way more than boring old Florence or Kyle. I wished she could have stuck around for a few more weeks anyway. Sigh. Next week is going to be an acoustic week, and I don't really know what that means, but we'll find out on Monday!
Watch this episode below, discuss it in our forums, then see who vloggers Val and Beth think should be on the show in TV is the Answer!


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Top 6 Instagram Photos that show off the style, versatility and capability of the Volkswagen Atlas crossover SUV
Volkswagen Atlas Instagram Photos In recent years, the crossover SUV has become one of the most popular automotive segments in the auto industry. It's easy to understand why they are a top choice as they offer an incredible amount of versatility and capability. At the top of the list of choices sits the Volkswagen Atlas….


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♔[ New Residents Showcase ]♔
We are very excited about what we have in store for you in 2019! Introducing our new residents - featuring Alan Lau, Copan Kasten, DeeJay Spyzi Trix, DJ Muzic, Sesco and Swindali
▹Alan Lau
ATL specializes in genres such as edm, house, hip-hop. Performed in Road to Ultra Hong Kong 2015.
▹Copan Kasten
Hong Kong based DJ & mashup artist, a new rising star participated at HK Pioneer Tournament & Road to Ultra Hong Kong 2018.
▹ DJ Muzic
New resident from Manchester, UK. He specializes in R&B, hip-hop, rap, trap, house, edm, funk, soul and raggae.
▹ Swindali
Swindali is Beatport Top100 producer and DJ, specializes in edm house, hip hop, trap, and twerk. Was resident DJ in clubs in Bangkok.
▹ Sesco
Think Macau & Sesco stands out from all. He's performed over 40 cities including Ultra Japan and Ultra Korea.
▹ DeeJay Spyzi Trix
The hottest hip hop DJ in Macau. Also known as official turntablist for HK hip-hop group 24 Herbs.


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Knowledge Is Power is happy to announce the release of the brand new single from Phidizz, entitled "Onna Regular", now available worldwide across all digital platforms HERE
After releasing the official video in late 2017, "Onna Regular" proved to be a fan favourite at his live shows so we decided to give it its official release!
Knowledge Is Power Promotions have a 12 year history of working alongside some of the best known talent in UK music and have recently launched a subsection of the brand as an official label under Knowledge Is Power. This release brings the ultimate display of diversity and continues the label's launch as they mean to go on, bringing talented UK musicians to the eyes of a wider audience through the power of music itself.


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Anthony Keidis is How Old?! 51-Year-Old Chili Peppers Frontman is Shirtless at Halftime
You know those people that just don't age? You know, the baby faces, the guy with the super great head of hair that stays jet black until the day he dies. And Anthony Keidis. The lead singer for Red Hot Chili Peppers has been around for a long time. He sings in one of the greatest rock bands of modern history, and he has a penchant for performing shirtless. Singing one of the band's hits with Bruno Mars, "Give it Away Now", during Sunday's Super Bowl, Anthony Keidis stayed true to form and went sans shirt on stage. And he looked good. Like, reeeeeealllly good. So what's the news here, you ask? Oh, just the fact that the lead singer is 51 YEARS OLD. You read that right. Anthony Keidis is a 51-year-old man.
And the internet subsequently exploded. We're not saying it's hard to dig a silver fox, but the magnitude of Keidis's muscles, his head-banging set of tresses and just his general energy level left us, well, surprised. And even though the man was half naked, the band's performance with Bruno Mars was fairly tame, offering up one of the least controversial performances of recent years. All this on the 10 year anniversary of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.
<img alt="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" class="article-body-image"/>


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Poggio de' Medici
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To coincide with the announcement that it will aim to produce eleven million pairs of footwear incorporating recycled plastic in 2019, Adidas has collaborated with designer Simone Post and German recycling innovator I:CO to create novel flooring for the sportswear giant's Paris flagship Champs-Élysées store. As part of the endeavour, post-consumer Adidas trainers were recycled by I:CO into pellets which Post then utilised as the raw material for a rug which she designed featuring references to the sportswear firm's famous stripes throughout.
Adidas invited Simone Post, Director of her own eponymous design studio, to design a rug made from post-consumer sport shoes as part of the 'Stripped Down Stripes' project. The collaboration, it is hoped, can show the potential for footwear – which is perhaps sent to landfill more than any other type of garment due to the difficulties associated with its recycling – to find a new purpose once consumers bring its primary use phase to an end. Having produced around five million pairs of footwear made using recycled plastic in 2018, Adidas is seeking to more than double this in 2019.
This, however, is nowhere near the limit of its ambitions. "Sustainability at Adidas goes far beyond recycled plastic," noted Executive Board Member Gil Steyaert, who is responsible for global operations.
"We also continue to improve our environmental performance during the manufacturing of our products. This includes the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of CO2 emissions and waste prevention. In 2018 alone, we saved more than 40 tonnes of plastic waste in our offices, retail stores, warehouses and distribution centres worldwide and replaced it with more sustainable solutions."
In a similar vein to its work with Adidas, I:CO has recently teamed up with another sporting goods company, Asics, to implement a recycling programme which enables the reuse of the firm's apparel which is often discarded after marathons.


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Self Defense for Women
Self Defense Class For Women in Northport, AL
Crime is something that we all have to deal with, no matter where you live. Knowing how to protect yourself, especially as a woman, is essential. If you are interested in taking women's self-defense classes, call Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts - Northport in Northport, AL today.
What to Expect
Self-defense instruction is something that every woman should take. No matter what age, size, or level of fitness; you can benefit from a class on self-defense. A very large part of knowing how to defend yourself is the ability to read a situation - being aware of your surroundings and having the tools to avoid risky situations. At Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts - Northport, you'll gain the tools needed to be mindful of your environment. We'll equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to defend yourself if and when you are in a dangerous situation.
We believe in the power of women and truly believe that all women should be equipped with the most basic self-defense tools. You won't regret taking a self-defense class from Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts - Northport. Call today!
Request an Appointment
Contact Us
Message Sent. Thank you for contacting us. We will be in touch with you shortly.
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Affordable Decks
We can't say enough about Tiger Rock Northport! This turned out to be just what was missing in my 8 year olds life. He is always excited to go to class and never seems to stop smiling.😊
We've been members of Tiger Rock for over a year. My child absolutely loves it. The staff is inviting and professional. I'm glad we chose Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts.
We have been involved with Bailey's TKD for 10 years this month and have known the Bailey family for 20 years. The training and discipline that our daughter has learned is amazing. As a student you will always be encouraged as well as challenged in every part of the martial arts journey. You will not find a better place for building your child's character, integrity and well being. We have received a better return on our investment with Baileys TKD than any other sport any of our children have been involved in.
I have been working out at the Northport TKD location with Master Holt for 18 years. I absolutely love Mr. & Mrs. Holt. All of the students over the years are like family to me. Best place for a great workout, learning life skills for kids and learning how to defend yourself no matter how young or how old. It's the greatest. Moma Jones
My son has been going to Tiger Rock for four months. He loves it, and I love that he is not only getting good exercise and gaining skill but also learning important social and emotional lessons from caring but firm instructors.
My son has been going for six months and loves it. They are all good with the students.
I cannot say enough positive things about Bailey's Tiger Rock Northport. Our daughter loves the classes and activities. Their schedule meets everyone's needs. Their tuition prices are VERY reasonable, and most importantly, ALL of their instructors are wonderful with the students. The instructors are patient, kind, and are constantly interacting with the kids, whether it's during class or not. You can tell that they want to be there and it shows.
We LOVE it here! This has been so incredible for my son and husband. The instructors are wonderful, really care about the students. It's so much more than just Taekwondo; we're a family.
Excellent instructors who truly care about these kiddos! They encourage them not only in martial arts, but in daily life and being successful members of the community. Such a blessing!
My son was not very interested in sports and was very shy. We passed by the academy one day and he said he wanted to try. Its been over 2 years now and he is a blackbelt and enjoys learning and being active. I am not worried about anyone taking advantage of him because I know he can defend and protect himself now. The instructors are awesome and we are very happy to be part of the Tiger Rock Family!
We have been a part of the Tiger Rock family for seven years. Tiger Rock Northport is amazing! Awesome instructors, great atmosphere, and tons of fun.
My son started Tiger Rock almost 4 years ago. We moved here to Northport from Georgia and wanted him to be involved in some kind of sport, and baseball, football, basketball was to no interest to him. This place was a daily ride by on our commute home and one day stopped by to check it out. My sons exact words were "I'm not good at karate", we signed him up that day at Tiger Rock and our son has never looked back. He was a shy, to him-self kind of kid and let's just say he's nothing like that today. He LOVeS this place and you can find him there every chance we can get him there. He has learned so much here and all that he has learned and more will follow him to his adult years and beyond. He is a great kid and very genuine person. I love all the coaches and the owner of Tiger Rock.
Mr. Holt and his team of instructors are the absolute best! My son has been enrolled for only 4 months and I've seen a great change in him already. The staff goes beyond teaching taekwondo and teaches them how to be good people. I can't say enough good things.
Excellent!!! Our son loves it! Master Holt and his staff are incredible! They go above and beyond! They are awesome with the little ones!
This is an awesome establishment with wonderful instructors. Nothing but positive experiences with the staff, facilities, and teachings.
I enrolled my son here about a year ago and I have not a single regret this is just the most wonderful karate studio! Mr. Holt is an excellent leader and role model, he has more than met my expectations for karate instruction for my son and helping adjust his attitude. If you are considering enrolling your child in karate you will not be disappointed. There are great class schedules, we were able to make 6 classes a week (my son needs it). Comfy atmosphere with a keurig if that's your thing and outdoor seating for when the weather is pleasant.


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Red Supplements is now closed › Forums › RED SUPPLEMENTS › RED BURNER › Ingredients red burner
Hi, I recently ordered red burner. May i know the L thyronine is extracted from which animal source? Specifically from which animal?
Furthermore on the very first day after taking 2 capsules one in morning empty stomach and one before workout in the evening. I experienced extreme anger and rage a couple of hours after my workout. It definitely wasn't normal and I haven't been taking any other supplements neither was i stressed out or sleep deprived in fact i was in an extremely joyful mood that day.. and I don't have any medical conditions. After workout i ate food and 30mins later i was feeling irritated and angry at every little thing. Is there any explanation to this?


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However, Xstrata's management will not receive "golden handcuffs" pay deals planned for them, after Qatar refused to support the controversial pay-outs.
Commodity giant Glencore is now looking at how it can keep key staff, after Qatar Holding, Xstrata's second biggest shareholder after Glencore, said it would abstain from Tuesday's vote on whether to pay the miner's executives £140m in "retention" payments after the deal. This resolution now looks certain to fail, as Glencore cannot vote its stake in Xstrata.
Uncertainty around the deal itself was removed as Qatar Holding, which has built up a 12pc stake in Xstrata, said it would vote in favour of the tie-up, with or without the bonuses.
As a result, Glencore will seek alternative means to keep key employees after the merger, which will not necessarily include all 70 Xstrata staff who were set to receive retention payments. Glencore is keen to secure operational staff, such as those overseeing Xstrata's Las Bambas copper project in Chile.
Explaining its move, Qatar Holding said in a statement it "strongly believes that retaining Xstrata's operational management is of critical importance" but that it was "conscious of the sensitivities concerning governance issues in the UK and does not feel it appropriate to influence the outcome either way".
The planned retention payments had proved inflammatory among the UK's investment community. On Monday, Standard Life's David Cumming accused Xstrata's board of being "weak" in the face of a "rapacious" management.
The uproar over pay prompted Xstrata to reorganise its shareholder vote on the deal into a complex structure, which let investors agree to joining the companies without having to approve the retention plans, which Xstrata said were needed to retain talent.
Xstrata hoped that the pay plans would still get voted through as Qatar Holding had said it backed management. However, without the Qataris' support, insiders admit the chance of the proposal succeeding are nil as its opponents in the City gain more sway.
Ash Lazenby, a mining analyst at Liberum Capital, said: "In a nutshell, this means the deal is all but done. However, there is now an increased chance of no Xstrata MIA [management incentive arrangements], given governance departments now have increased leverage to vote against the MIA."
Analysts at Macquarie said that the Qataris' plan was "in some ways commendable but is at odds" with its comment that keeping the management is "critical".
While shareholders now look likely to pass the deal, the companies still face competition hurdles. Glencore has offered to sell Xstrata's German zinc smelter after EU regulators said its earlier offer to scrap a key zinc sales deal was not sufficient, sources told Reuters.


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How to Make a Floral Art Mother's Day Frame
Personal, handmade gifts are always the best ones. If you are out of ideas of what to get your much-deserving mum then why not make this lovely floral picture using family pictures, cupcake cases and easy peasy felt flowers.
How to Make a Floral Art Mother's Day Frame
Suitable for: Beginners
Time needed: 1.5 to two hours
You will need
- 12 inch Box frame
- 12 inch Sheet scrapbook paper
- Yellow and pink cupcake cases
- Floral coloured felt
- Buttons
- Glue
- Double sided tape
- Scrapbook letters
How to make
1. Begin by making the felt flowers. Cut circles of felt, using a CD for a template. Start from the edge and cut a swirl into the circle about 1.5 centimetres thick, all the way into the centre.
2. Glue the centre and begin to roll up the felt to create a flower shape. Dot glue every few inches to ensure it is secure.
3. Turn the cupcake cases out so that the bright colour is on the inside. Trim a couple of centimetres from the yellow case and insert into the pink. Measure the base, then print out family pictures to fit inside. Cut leaf shapes and strips for the stems from green felt.
4. Remove the glass from the box frame. Arrange the felt flowers and cupcake pictures on the scrapbook paper and, when you are happy with the layout, stick the pieces in place using double sided tape.
5. Embellish the picture with alphabet letters and assorted buttons. Glue the picture into the frame and you're all finished. Just look at those little faces, butter wouldn't melt…


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Monday, May 6, 2013
ARC Review: "Of Triton" by Anna Banks
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Pages: 256
From Goodreads: "In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she's a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.
As if that's not bad enough, her mother's reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen's request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she's never known?"
"Of Triton" by Anna Banks was one of my best reads of 2012, in fact, in my review of it I described it as being "flawless" and stated that I couldn't contain my fan-girl SQUEEing. As such, I was obviously beyond excited for this book, however, after finishing it I must admit that it is one of the most disappointing sequels that I have ever read before.
My largest complaint about this book is that I felt that it read like a first draft- I understand that I did read an ARC and therefore there may be changes made between it and the final draft, but I feel that I would only enjoy the book if extensive changes were made. I felt that the book was so flat and one-dimensional, not once while reading it did I experience any real emotion (also, I didn't once swoon for Galen, something essentially unheard of for me). Additionally, I found that a number of characters grated on my nerves in this book, Emma's mom especially. While I did like that she rediscovered her long-lost love I felt that overall she was quite inconsiderate when it came to Emma's feelings- especially when she dropped the bombshell about Emma's parentage onto her, informing her that her life was even more so, if possible, a lie. I felt that she acted more immature than the teenagers actually did. Furthermore, I was not a fan of the way in which the POVs were written in this book- Emma's in first person and Galen's in third (I noticed this much more in this book than I had in the previous book, it felt mush more jarring and obvious). I feel like we don't truly get a sense of who Galen is as a person (Errrr... Syrena) with his POV being written in third person. He comes off as being quite superficial and juvenile.
I actually think that this book could have benefited from being longer- 100 pages or so. I think that if it was longer that the characters and plot would be better developed and more complex. It felt that very little happened in this book, as if it suffered from "second book syndrome", and what did happen (ie. the conflicts) were resolved far too easily.
All in all, in my opinion, "Of Triton" lost a lot of the magic that was in "Of Poseidon". That being said, while I personally was not a fan of this book I do think that die-hard fans will be more than happy with it. Furthermore, despite my complaints I do intend to continue on with this series, if only to see how to wraps up.
Rating: 2/5
I received this book from the publisher to read and review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.
1 comment:
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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it!
Though I appreciate awards I have decided to make my blog an "award-free zone". Unfortunately I do not have the time to hold up my end of award-giving. But again, I appreciate you thinking of me!


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East Devon lady rowers part of Exeter crew that does well at Henley
PUBLISHED: 12:38 25 June 2014
There are two types of pain you have to deal with as a rower, the relentless pain that strikes your body as you power down the course, and the brutal, unforgiving pain that follows the loss of a race when everything you have been working towards comes to an abrupt end. At Henley Women's Regatta (HWR) the Exeter women's eight-plus crew experienced both, writes Kerri-Ann Upham.
The girls arrived at Henley on Wednesday afternoon. Travelling up to the event a couple of days before allowed the crew to take in the scenery and become familiar with this famous stretch of the river Thames.
The crew practiced starting from the stake boats, refined technique and watched in awe as elite crews passed completing their final preparations on the same stretch of water. After some relaxation time in the hotel and a crew meal at the local pub the girls were ready to race.
Mirror-like water conditions greeted the crew on Friday morning and temperatures were rising. The first race for Exeter was against Worcester Rowing Club at 5.40pm so it was important to stay out of the sun and conserve energy throughout the day.
With just a few hours to go the girls found a shady spot under the boats to relax, and wait. At 5pm it was hands on. Cox Dani Wall guided the boat to the launching pontoon and the Exeter crew looked very professional as they rowed past the hundreds of people lining the enclosure area. In the marshalling area there was more waiting, the afternoon sun was hot and the water was glistening as the girls gradually tapped up to the stake boat. Dani was in control throughout and kept the crew calm and relaxed as they attached the stake boat with ease. At 5.40pm exactly the start umpire called 'attention' on the final crew race of the day. Drama unfolded from the first stroke, Exeter didn't have their strongest start and within a few seconds Worcestor were warned by the umpire for coming dangerously close to Exeter. Despite this cox Dani Wall remained in control and held her line. Off the start the crews were level, but as Exeter lengthened their strokes they began to edge ahead. 40 seconds into the race the Exeter crew relied on the power of their middle 4 rowers: Rebecca Kelly, Ellie Dodd, Susie Howells and Jane Stack, who had to push through the pain plagued in their legs to get the boat into a comfortable lead. Passing the enclosure area Exeter had a convincing lead and with the immense cheers from the bank this lead was only set to increase. The stern pair Kirsty Barker and Kerri-Ann Upham set up a strong, sustainable rhythm while the bow pair Lisa Cocks and Nadine Levin rowed with precision and finesse, drawing upon their years of experience to support the boat. Crossing the line the girls let out cheers of joy and relief, they had won the race and earned their place at this regatta. The final verdict was a win for Exeter Rowing Club by three lengths. Upon landing the girls were greeted with beaming smiles and words of congratulations from their coach Pete Cork and loyal supporter Nic Walker, when the crew lifted the boat onto their shoulders the national anthem began to play signalling the end of racing, the magic of Henley had inspired everyone.
Saturday was due to bring greater challenges as the girls were up against Thames Rowing Club. Thames is one of the biggest rowing clubs in the country, they entered 10 crews into this years HWR and the eight-plus was one of their top crews. The Exeter girls had one race strategy; to get ahead off the start and hold onto this lead for as long as possible. Rowing up to the start the girls maintained their confidence and professionalism rowing like an experienced crew and not being phased by the other boats practicing around them. Once attached to the stake boat each crew member had their eyes fixated forwards with determination to make this race as uncomfortable as possible for Thames. Exeter Rowing Club had a fantastic start, the hours and frustrations of practicing had paid off as the first few strokes were powerful and precise. The expression on the Thames coxs' face changed from confidence to concern and panic, Thames were not expecting this. Passing Temple Island 250m into the race Exeter Rowing Club had a quarter-length lead. However, as the race unfolded the experience and strength of the Thames crew shone through as they took the lead and edged further ahead. At the enclosure area Exeter were a length down and the Thames lead was increasing. Despite this the girls rowed their own race and chased after a good time. Crossing the line the girls were exhausted, they had given everything, heads bowed as the overwhelming pain of losing a race that you have invested so much time in preparing for set in. This pain is much more brutal than anything experienced in the race
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Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
While venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncommon, its incidence is increasing in children. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, treatment, and outcome of pediatric VTE cases at a single tertiary hospital in Korea.
We retrospectively analyzed the records of consecutive pediatric VTE patients admitted to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between April 2003 and March 2016.
Among 70,462 hospitalizations, 25 pediatric VTE cases were identified (3.27 cases per 10,000 admissions). Fifteen patients (60%) were male, 8 were neonates (32%), and the median age at diagnosis was 10.9 years (range, 0 days‒17 yr). Doppler ultrasonography was the most frequently used imaging modality. Thrombosis occurred in the intracerebral (20%), upper venous (64%), lower venous (12%), and combined upper and lower venous systems (4%). Twenty patients (80%) had underlying clinical conditions including venous catheterization (24%), malignancy (20%), and systemic diseases (12%). Protein C, protein S, and antithrombin deficiencies occurred in 2 of 13, 4 of 13, and 1 of 14 patients tested, respectively. Six patients were treated with heparin followed by warfarin, while 4 were treated with heparin or warfarin. Thrombectomy and inferior vena cava filter and/or thrombolysis were performed in 5 patients. Two patients died of pulmonary embolism, and 2 developed a post-thrombotic syndrome.
Compared with the reports from Western countries, VTE occurrence was lower in the Korean pediatric population under study, although similar clinical characteristics including bimodal age distribution, underlying diseases, treatment pattern, and outcomes were observed.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a disease that includes both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a rare condition in children. Nevertheless, its incidence has reportedly increased recently [12]. The ability to correctly detect and diagnose thrombotic events in pediatric patients has been improving as a result of continuous advances in the treatment and supportive care of critically ill children, as well as the increased knowledge and awareness of thrombotic complications and genetic risk factors for thrombosis [234].
An accurate estimate of pediatric VTE incidence is not available as only a few prospective studies have been reported [356]. These studies have estimated a yearly VTE incidence of 0.07–0.14 cases per 10,000 children, or 5.3 cases per 10,000 pediatric hospital admissions, and 24 cases per 10,000 admissions to the neonatal intensive care units [57]. In tertiary care hospitals in the United States, the reported VTE rates are higher, and a 70% increase in its incidence has been observed from 2001 to 2007, i.e., from 34 to 58 cases per 10,000 children [3].
Most children with VTE have multiple risk factors, such as venous catheters, surgery, trauma, malignancy, and chronic inflammatory conditions [458910]. Infants aged under 1 year constitute the largest proportion of pediatric VTE patients, with adolescents constituting the second largest [456].
Most reports on the incidence of VTE are primarily from Western populations; however, there are significant differences between the Asian and Western countries with respect to the genetic background and demographic features. Therefore, considering the clinical significance of pediatric VTE, a population-specific epidemiologic study is imperative in order to assess the incidence, risk factors, treatment, and outcome of VTE in Korean children. With this aim, we conducted a retrospective review of the records of all VTE pediatric patients admitted to a single tertiary hospital in Korea over a period of 13 years.
We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients aged 0–18 years, who were diagnosed with VTE between April 2003 and March 2016 at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH). Hospital admission rates were obtained from the Health Information System Department of the SNUBH. Based on the hospital electronic database, patients were classified as potential VTE cases if they were assigned the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) codes I269, I749, I676, I802, I81, or I829, or if they were prescribed anticoagulant medication. Cases with multiple admissions for VTE were counted as a single incidence.
VTE was defined as a thrombotic occlusion of any vein within the deep venous system, pulmonary vasculature, right heart, or the cerebral venous sinuses. The thrombosis location was classified as central nervous system (intracranial veins and sinuses), the upper venous system (superior vena cava, right heart, pulmonary vessels, neck, and upper limb veins), or the lower venous system (inferior vena cava and all subsequent venous branches). VTE was confirmed by various imaging techniques including a Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanning. Thrombophilia test was performed using commercially available clinical assays.
The data for patient demographics, clinical presentation, the location of thrombosis, associated risk factors, family history, laboratory evaluations, treatment, and complications of the thrombotic event such as mortality and occurrence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) were obtained through a review of the electronic medical records. Based on the age at the time of thrombosis diagnosis, patients were classified as neonates (aged<1 mo), infants (aged 1–12 mo), children (aged 1–12 yr), and adolescents (12–18 yr). All data were descriptively presented and analyzed based on the above-mentioned age groups.
This study was approved by the SNUBH Institutional Review Board (IRB approval No. B-1604/343-107). Informed consent was waived by the board.
Of the 70,462 hospitalizations during the 13-year study period, we identified 220 patients as potential VTE cases. Following the criteria described in the methods section, a total of 25 patients were subsequently identified with a verified diagnosis of VTE. The total incidence of VTE was 3.27 cases per 10,000 admissions (0.0327%). The baseline and clinical characteristics of the patients are presented in Table 1. Fifteen VTE patients were male (60%), and the median age at diagnosis was 10.9 years (range, 0 days–17 yr). Of the patients with VTE, 8 (32%) were neonates, 7 (28%) were children, and 10 (40%) were adolescents. Fig. 1 shows the age wise distribution of the pediatric patients with VTE and the total number of hospitalized patients stratified by age group.
Doppler ultrasonography was the most frequently used diagnostic imaging study, followed by CT, and MRI (Table 2). Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed using chest CT, ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, and an echocardiography. Intracranial VTE, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and central retinal vein thrombosis, was diagnosed using MRI with magnetic resonance venography. The locations of thrombosis were as follows: intracerebral venous systems in 5 cases (cerebral venous sinus, 4; central retinal vein throm bosis, 1), upper venous systems in 16 cases (pulmonary vessel, 5; internal jugular vein, 2; portal vein, 7; portal and renal veins, 1; superior mesenteric vein, 1), lower venous systems in 3 cases (inferior vena cava and iliac vein, 1; iliac and femoral veins, 1; femoral vein, 1), and combined upper and lower venous systems in 1 case (pulmonary vessel, inferior vena cava, and popliteal vein, 1).
Of the 25 VTE patients, 20 exhibited at least one underlying clinical condition (80%) (Table 3). Among the known risk factors for VTE, we identified the following: venous catheterization in 6 cases (umbilical venous catheter, 4; femoral catheter, 2); malignancy in 5 cases (acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with L-asparaginase, 3; brain tumor with a Hickman catheter, 1; and lymphoma with an internal jugular vein catheter, 1); systemic disease in 3 cases (nephrotic syndrome, 1; systemic lupus erythematosus, 1; and systemic infection, 1); prematurity in 1 case; a mother with gestational diabetes mellitus in 2 cases; trauma in 1 case; and venous anomalies in 2 cases.
A test for thrombophilia was performed in some patients (Table 4). Two patients exhibited an underlying protein C deficiency, 4 exhibited protein S deficiency including 1 case of transient protein S deficiency, and 1 patient exhibited an antithrombin deficiency. A lupus anticoagulant antibody test was positive in 3 of the 13 tested patients; anti-cardiolipin IgG and IgM antibodies were positive in 4 out of the 14 tested patients; while the anti-β2 glycoprotein I IgG antibody was undetectable in all 11 tested patients.
A total of 10 patients received an initial anticoagulant therapy for the acute phase of thrombosis. Six patients received unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), followed by warfarin, while 4 patients received either LMWH or warfarin. Seven patients with residual thrombus or VTE risk factors such as congenital thrombophilia, or venous anomaly received long-term treatment with warfarin (range, 2 yr–9 yr, 8 mo). In 1 patient, the warfarin treatment was discontinued after 3 months due to bleeding complications including epistaxis and menorrhagia. Four patients underwent surgical treatments including thrombectomy and IVC filter, or thrombolysis followed by anticoagulation. One patient died due to a pulmonary embolism following thrombolysis, before the anticoagulation treatment could be started. Four patients underwent a catheter removal and follow-up observations, while 3 patients were treated without an anticoagulant. Treatment was unknown for 3 patients who were transferred to other hospitals or were lost to follow-up (Table 5).
Of the 25 VTE patients, 12 exhibited a complete resolution of VTE, 7 had persistent VTE, and 2 patients died of pulmonary emboli. We did not note a recurrence of VTE in patients following a complete resolution of the thrombus. One patient with a venous anomaly discontinued the warfarin treatment when the thrombus stabilized, and subsequently experienced an aggravation of the thrombus. PTS developed in 2 of the 5 patients (20%) with a lower venous system VTE, resulting in stasis ulcer and varicose vein after 2 years and 9 years of initial VTE diagnosis, respectively.
The incidence of VTE is significantly lower in children compared with adults, suggesting the presence of protective mechanisms [11]. In children, the coagulation system develops with age, as evidenced by significant age-related differences in the concentration of most clotting factors, a concept known as 'developmental hemostasis' [11].
In a nationwide epidemiologic study in the Korean population, the annual incidence of VTE in 2008 was reported as 13.8 cases per 100,000 individuals [12], which is significantly lower than the annual incidence noted for the Caucasian population (143 cases per 100,000 individuals) [13]. Furthermore, the incidence of VTE in Korean youth was even lower, with a reported 0.09 cases per 10,000 individuals aged 0–19 years [12].
In our study, the incidence of VTE was 3.27 cases per 10,000 pediatric patients. This rate was higher than the previously reported VTE incidence in the general Korean pediatric population but was lower than the incidence reported from Western countries, where the incidence rate ranged from 8 to 60 cases per 10,000 hospital admissions [414,15]. Furthermore, the age-stratified VTE incidence exhibited a bimodal distribution, with a peak VTE incidence in the adolescents (9.47 cases per 10,000 adolescents admitted) rather than in the neonates (4.57 cases per 10,000 neonates admitted).
In comparison with the older children, neonates are at an increased risk of bleeding and thrombotic complications owing to the altered levels of procoagulants; anticoagulants; and fibrinolytic factors, with these risk factors being especially relevant in the presence of other hemostatic challenges such as an indwelling catheter [1116]. Asphyxia, maternal diabetes, polycythemia, sepsis, poor cardiac output, and dehydration are additional VTE risk factors for the neonates [16]. Furthermore in preterm infants, the levels of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors are lower than those in the infants born at term; preterm infants also have lower levels of coagulation inhibitors, including antithrombin and protein C [17]. The preterm infants are also particularly at risk in response to the perinatal risk factors and iatrogenic events [16]. In the present study, all 8 neonates had VTE associated clinical risk factors including venous catheter (N=4), prematurity (N=1), a mother with gestational diabetes mellitus (N=2), and venous anomaly (N=1).
In the United States, approximately 25% to 50% of the adult patients with first-time VTE have an idiopathic condition with no immediately obvious risk factors [18]. Unlike adults, however, approximately 80% of the VTE episodes in children and adolescents are reportedly associated with an underlying chronic condition [1920]. Pediatric VTE is a multifactorial disease, and the clinical factors appear to have a greater influence on the risk for VTE than an inherited thrombophilia, especially in catheter-related VTE [410]. In pediatric patients, the presence of a venous catheter is the most significant risk factor for VTE, accounting for approximately 90% of all neonatal, and 60% of all childhood VTE cases [510]. This is most likely a result of an increased risk of thrombosis owing to the damaged endothelial lining and disrupted blood flow from the central venous catheters. The most common medical conditions associated with thrombosis are cancer, congenital heart disease, and prematurity. In our study population, 20 of the 25 patients (80%) had underlying clinical conditions, with venous catheterization and malignancy being the most frequent.
Although a strong association between inherited prothrombotic disorders and VTE has been shown in adults, the impact of these disorders on the development of VTE in children remains controversial [221]. In the pediatric VTE patients from Western countries, the incidence of inherited prothrombotic disorders ranges from 10% to 59% [2223]. The relationship between VTE and certain inherited defects is well understood, such as the factor V Leiden mutation, the prothrombin gene mutation, and the protein C, protein S, and antithrombin deficiencies [2223]. Certain genetic mutations, particularly the factor V Leiden and factor II G20210A, are highly prevalent in the Caucasian population but are virtually absent in the Asian population [242526].
Thrombophilia testing is rarely considered in the acute management of thrombotic events in pediatric patients [2]. However, the identification of inherited thrombophilia may influence the treatment duration, particularly in patients with combined defects, and may aid in optimal patient counseling for risk factors associated with a VTE-recurrence [22]. It is difficult to apply the results of coagulation studies conducted in adults to the evaluation of pediatric patients as there are significant differences in the stages of hemostatic system development, as well as in the normal ranges of relevant biochemical markers and the laboratory assays employed to assess the anticoagulant levels [11]. Therefore, it is essential to refer to the age-specific normal ranges when interpreting the results of pediatric coagulation studies. In our study, thrombophilia tests were not performed uniformly; only 13 patients were tested for protein C and protein S deficiencies, with positive results observed in 2 and 4 patients, respectively. Of these, 1 patient with protein C deficiency had a positive family history. Similarly, only 14 patients were tested for antithrombin deficiency, with a positive test result in 1 patient.
An ultrasound with a Doppler flow is the most commonly employed imaging study for the diagnosis of upper, or more frequently lower, extremity VTE [12]. Other noninvasive diagnostic imaging options including CT and MR venography are particularly helpful in evaluating proximal thrombosis [12]. For the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, the most sensitive imaging modality is a brain MRI with venography or a diffusion-weighted imaging [12]. In this study, Doppler ultrasonography was the most frequently used diagnostic imaging modality, followed by CT, and MRI. Pulmonary emboli were diagnosed using chest CT, V/Q scan, and echocardiography. Intracranial VTE, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and central retinal vein thrombosis, were diagnosed using an MRI with venography.
Treatment recommendations for pediatric VTE cases are based on the data from studies conducted in the adult population [27]. However, there is a need for separate recommendations for pediatric patients as there are age-based differences in the disease etiology and the available treatment options [28]. The patients in our study population were managed using anticoagulation and surgical treatments, and unfractionated heparin or LMWH with vitamin K antagonist were the most frequently used treatments. Thrombectomy or thrombolysis was indicated only in life- or limb-threatening cases. Catheter removal was performed in four patients without anticoagulation.
PTS, characterized by venous insufficiency, is a chronic complication of VTE; the symptoms of PTS range from mild edema to chronic pain, swelling, discoloration, and ulceration of the affected limb [29]. In children, the risk of PTS following VTE is estimated at 10%–70% [30]. The likelihood of PTS is higher in the first 2 years of VTE, and it continues to increase over time [29]. In our study, 2 out of 5 patients (20%) with persistent VTE in the form of stasis ulcer and varicose vein developed PTS after 2 and 9 years of the initial VTE diagnosis, respectively. Further, 2 patients died as a result of massive pulmonary emboli.
The present study has several limitations. First, being a retrospective study, data collection, and subsequent analyses may be incomplete. Second, this study was conducted at a single center, and therefore the true incidence of pediatric VTE may be under- or over-estimated due to a selection bias. Finally, since VTE is a rare condition, our study population was small, and therefore the frequency of congenital thrombophilic disorders could not be estimated.
In conclusion, we observed that pediatric VTE occurred at a lower frequency in the studied Korean population than has been previously reported for Western countries. However, the clinical characteristics of VTE patients including the bimodal age distribution, underlying diseases, treatment pattern, and outcomes were comparable to those reported from the Western countries. A nationwide, multicentric study will be needed to accurately estimate the true incidence and outcome of pediatric VTE in Korea.
Age distribution (bar graph, right axis) for the pediatric patients with venous thromboembolism (N=25), and total number of neonates, infants, children, and adolescents (linear graph, left axis) admitted to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between April 2003 and March 2016.