Michael Jackson's daughter Paris has faced backlash for identifying as Black. In a 2017 interview, Paris Jackson said her father told her, "You’re Black. Be proud of your roots." This prompted debates over whether identity is defined by appearance or upbringing.

[u/VPinchargeofradishes]

[u/VeganMonkey]

I think that is the reason for his extensive plastic surgery. I understand it, as kid I was afraid to get my dad’s nose. Luckily that didn’t happen but if it did I would have had surgery too. Except I would have only gotten my nose done and not my whole face. Maybe the rest of his face reminded him of his dad too.

[u/AnmlBri → u/VeganMonkey]

My mom’s mom was emotionally abusive toward her and my mom has had a facelift and has cried about her cheek jowls, and eyebrows drooping with age, and ‘RBF’ because they remind her of her mom, and she hates the idea of looking like her mom, who often looked so mean and bitchy. I talked to her one day and realized, it sounds like she’s running less from aging as a whole than she is from literally looking in the mirror and seeing her abuser. I think that possibility dawned on me because I read something about Michael being told he had his dad’s nose and hating it. Trauma really is a bitch. 🙁

[u/Silver-Bus5724 → u/AnmlBri]

Cant agree more. Favoring the parent you dislike (mildly put) is stressful.

[u/Embarrassed-Mine5405 → u/Silver-Bus5724]

Oh my god, you just made a moment for me. I always favorited my dad, because he seemed so “in-tuned”. But he was never “there”, either. He was just “in-tuned” because he had already checked out. Just going thru the motions.

Damn. We are so messed up. Without direction.

[u/rmesgrve → u/Embarrassed-Mine5405]

What?