Summary

The essay opens with Laymon explaining that his mother wanted him to know Michael Jackson like she did, as she grew up with the Jackson 5, and later, Michael Jackson’s solo career. Laymon recalls his childhood, when he and his mother would listen to Michael Jackson records together and bond. Laymon even admits that he wanted to be like Jackson. Laymon then argues that post-Thriller Michael Jackson changed the way we consume media due to its narrative style. This was particularly important, as it let a black man tell his story.

The second part of the essay is about the life of Bernie Mac. Laymon admired Bernie Mac because he made it seem like he should not be on stage and was not trying to be blacker than he was. According to the author, he made jokes about...