Comments on: Mud and Michael

By: Natalia Antonova

Natalia Antonova — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:36:40 +0000

Thanks, RMJ. I really like your blog. I should probably add it to my sidebar. In fact, I think I’ll do that now.

By: RMJ

RMJ — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:38:45 +0000

Hi there! Stopping by to thank you for your comment on my MJ post the other day. Much appreciated, as is your thoughtful discussion of him here.

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:25:47 +0000

And it’s a beautiful picture.

I have to say, so far I haven’t entirely understood the reaction to Michael’s passing, but this is a great essay. For me, I never understood getting that hung up on someone I don’t know in the first place, but you explain it very well.

By: Natalia Antonova

Natalia Antonova — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:32:15 +0000

I have to tell you, Heidi, while the Israeli side of the Red Sea is vastly superior, the Jordanians have a better deal with the Dead Sea. You MUST check it out sometime.

Safiya, thanks for the link. It’s a beautiful and devastating read.

Cranky, I’m not sure if you’re trolling or being sincere. On the off-chance – Dead Sea mud is therapeutic. People from all over the world travel to the Dead Sea for a chance to get slathered in it. I didn’t put it on because I was going “haw haw! Look at me! I’m black!” I put it on because it feels great on my skin and helps soothe irritation.

Of course, I was using the mud as a metaphor – for the things that remain, and then things that are washed away by the tide. The contrast in that photo, between the mud and my pale skin underneath was pretty too, I thought.

It wasn’t an attempt at blackface, and a quick Google search might clue you in on the difference. Blackface involves a crude distortion of features – it’s a sick racist joke that has a very old and twisted tradition behind it.

By: Safiya Outlines

Safiya Outlines — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:36:27 +0000

This is also a pretty wonderful piece about MJ, which I found via Racialicious:

http://adriennemareebrown.net/blog/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-whos-loving-you/

By: Cranky Liberal

Cranky Liberal — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:33:41 +0000

natalia – nice essay on micheal jackson, but why do you need to go in blackface with the mud? are you trying to prove some point about the transformation of his skin? i don’t know your intention, but this seems like it is in poor taste.

By: Heidi ST

Heidi ST — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:10:18 +0000

I’ve been pining for the relaxation and recovery that a Dead Sea vacation at my favourite resort (albeit on the other side of the sea) brings. They say the air there is uniquely composed to aid in that, and the mud is fun! I hope it contributed to your well-being.