Michael Jackson’s biopic and what it leaves out

In this episode of The Take, host Malika Bilal and historian Sherry Zane examine the estate-sanctioned biopic 'Michael' and its selective portrayal of the iconic pop star's life. While the film celebrates Michael Jackson's musical genius and global influence, Zane argues it systematically erases key aspects of his identity and politics—particularly his deep engagement with Black civil rights, his solidarity with Palestine, and his global activism. The documentary's omission of the 1967 election of Gary, Indiana’s first Black mayor Richard Hatcher, the Jackson family’s Black Power salute, and Jackson’s 1993 song 'Palestine Don't Cry' underscores a broader narrative suppression. The film also ends in 1988, deliberately sidestepping the 1993 and 2005 legal allegations, which Zane contends is not accidental but strategic—used to silence complex conversations about Jackson’s legacy. She emphasizes that we can hold multiple truths: his art brought joy to millions, his politics were meaningful, and the allegations are serious and contested. The episode calls for a more nuanced, globally aware understanding of Jackson beyond the sanitized Hollywood version.