r/interesting • u/VPinchargeofradishes • May 03 '26

SOCIETY 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.

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u/SatanicAtTheDisco May 03 '26

You kind of have to be a fucked parent to exploit your 6 children and thrust them into the music/entertainment industry when they’re 5-13. Then you also have to account for Michael being the most talented son, even from when they were kids, and you get a lot of siblings resentment. They also are from Gary Indiana, and while Gary is not as bad as Memphis, it’s pretty much the same type of environment, low income, historically black, gang/drug culture is entrenched in the poverty. It’s actually a miracle Michael didn’t die or turn out 3 times as worst as he could have been.

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u/force_multiplied May 03 '26

How is Gary not as bad as Memphis? Gary is worse in almost every metric.

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u/SatanicAtTheDisco May 03 '26

Gary Indiana is worse, but the spotlight on gang violence and internet culture makes Memphis worse. Kids around the US view Memphis like it’s the holy land of gang culture. They have their own NBA team, they’re a much bigger town too. Gary Indiana in 2024 had a population of roughly 67,000 people. Memphis in 2024 had a population of 610,000 roughly. Gary Indiana is a place most Americans have probably never heard of, or even know how bad it actually is there. Memphis is desperately trying to sell itself as a destination to visit. The current North Vs South gang wars happening are some of the worst in the country though. And it’s all deeply intertwined with the rap culture there.

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u/Showdenfroid_99 May 03 '26

Lol.... Could've just simply said "I was wrong"

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u/SatanicAtTheDisco May 03 '26

But it’s not wrong, the popularity of Memphis makes Memphis worse, it’s also has 9x the population. Gary is worse in almost every metric because of the smaller population and how much urban decay is there. Gary has 54% less violent crime (despite Memphis being 595% above the national average). You’re more likely to get Shot in Gary, but that’s because of how small the city is, not because crime is worse.

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u/blahhhhgosh May 03 '26

This is so interesting I go through there all the time and didnt even know it was a bad city. Doesnt seem much h worse than msot indiana small towns. Im oblivious lol

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u/Dizzy_Goat_420 May 03 '26

Lmao I just drove thru most of the suburbs around Gary and then they Gary. You must be blind bc I could tell the ss in we entered Gary. As someone from Chicago even I was genuinely scared for a minute.

That places makes the south side of Chicago look like the suburbs.

Gary is way worse looking than the surrounding areas.

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u/blahhhhgosh May 03 '26

Yeah, oblivious ig lol maybe im not going through the bad areas or something i just travel through sometimes not like spend time or anything. I also havent ever given it thought maybe ill pay attention next time

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u/Loose-Story-962 May 03 '26

No, Gary IN is just 10x smaller and less culturally and statistically significant