Here is a story written by my creative director, Jimmy Smith about Michael Jackson and Gary, Indiana. Enjoy.to move from an all Black neighborhood in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, to
an all White neighborhood in Norton Shores, Michigan. Only about 5 miles
separated the neighborhoods, but they might as well been a thousand miles
apart.
The KKK sent letters to all of our soon to be new neighbors urging them
not to allow us to move into the neighborhood. They threatened the
builder of our house, so he wouldn’t complete the project. We had to hire
a dude all the way in Ohio to build our home. People threw bottles at our
cars and shot bb’s through our windows. From kindergarten through 4th
grade, I was called nigger so much it wouldn’t have surprised me if some
kids thought it was my first or last name.
In the summer of 1970, my two cousins, Kee-Kee and Angie, came to visit.
They were from Gary, Indiana. Kee-Kee was six years older than me and
Angie.
Kee-Kee was talking about how this kid he went to school with, Jermaine,
had just left school and moved to California with his brothers. They had
this singing group called the Jackson 5. He had their two albums, “Diana
Ross presents the Jackson 5” and “ABC.” I had just gotten a new record
player. When Kee-Kee let the needle drop it was a moment I’ll never
forget, man. I can’t describe the feeling. My mind was blown! Michael,
Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie were the new sound of Motown! I mean,
damn, “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “Stop The Love Save,” and “One More
Chance,” are you kidding me? Bananas!!!
Ever so slightly, things even started getting better at school. 
Suddenly,
that Black kid at school with the afro like the Jackson 5 wasn’t so
strange. Gradually, I could at least go a week without being called
nigger. Not bad...considering.
It was 1971. Thanksgiving was a few months away. Angie called. Kee-Kee
told her that the Jackson 5 were coming back to Indiana for Thanksgiving
for the first time since they left. They were gonna perform at Kee-Kee’s
new high school, Gary Westside.
Brothas and sistas, I was going to that joint even if I had to ride my
Schwin Stingray with the banana seat all the way to Gary. Didn’t matter
if it was 150 miles or so away.
Fortunately, Mom and Pop were down for the cause. They drove me to Gary.
Right on!
The morning of the concert, my Aunts and Uncles took us kids to where the
J-5 were to receive the keys to the city. They arrived by helicopter in
this huge shopping center parking lot. It seemed like everybody in the
city of Gary was there. The girls were screaming so loud you couldn’t
hear yourself think. And it was like what Ice T said about Michael in
concert in his book that came out in the 90s; even hardcore gangsters were
yelling when the J-5 jumped off the helicopter! Of course, I didn’t
scream. I was too cool...
...OK, I’m lying!!!
Finally, it was show time. Dudes and dudettes...from head to toe my
threads were groovy, man! From my psychedelic shirt with the butterfly
collar to my multi-colored and striped bell bottomed pants. And don’t get
me started talking about my platform shoes. I was straight pimping,
playa!
And the concert? Please. Ain’t seen nothing like it, EVER. When Jackie
said something like, “Mike, where you going?” And Mike said, “Jackie,
what’chu mean, ‘Where you going?’” Then Jermaine jumped in, “Com’on,
Mike, answer Jackie’s question, “Tell the people where you going, man!”
Mike played dumb, “Ooooooooh, you mean ‘Where am I going?” Marlon
couldn’t take it, “Michael, quit playing, man! Tell the people where
you’re going, man!” “Oh OK,” Mike sighed. Finally, he grabbed the mic,
“I’M GOING BACK TO INDIANA. INDIANA HERE I COME. YEAH, YEAH! I’M GOING
BACK TO INDIANA, ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHERE MY BABY’S FROM...”
The crowd lost it.
And when they got to Tito’s guitar solo...and that cat leaned back and his
rainbow colored cape opened up...
Well, you know...what more can I say?
Godspeed - Jimmy"
Here is a picture of Michael Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana:
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