Paris Jackson, the eldest daughter of the iconic Michael Jackson, frequently finds herself in the public eye. Recently, she has been at the center of a conversation regarding her racial identity. Despite her lighter skin tone, Paris identifies as a Black woman.
Born in 1998 to Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson, she has pursued a career in music, following in her father’s footsteps.
Paris’s fair complexion is similar to her father’s, who also experienced a change in skin color over the years. While it was widely believed that Michael Jackson’s lighter skin was due to vitiligo, a condition that affects pigmentation, this was never definitively confirmed.
In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Paris reflected on her father’s teachings, saying, “[Michael] would look me in the eyes and point his finger at me, saying, ‘You’re Black. Be proud of your roots.’ I thought, ‘OK, he’s my dad; why would he lie to me?’ I trust what he told me because, to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me.”
She also noted that people often tell her she resembles someone from Finland, which adds to her stress. Many mixed-race individuals share her skin tone but don’t always face the same level of scrutiny.
Despite identifying as a Black woman, Paris has encountered criticism. Talk show host Wendy Williams remarked, “I understand she considers herself Black, but visually… being Black isn’t just about what you call yourself; it’s how the police see you in a tense situation. But that’s nice for her.”
Paris’s experiences underscore the complexities of racial identity and the difficulties of being judged based on appearance rather than heritage.
What do you think about this? For more Comics, News, Stories, and Fun, visit The Far Side Comic Do you support their decision or do you have any reservations? Tell us in the space below the comments!
Leave a comment