Michael Jackson Symposium at UCB

The King of Pop

Now that we've had the mass media feeding frenzy, award show tributes, predictable sensationalism, and even-more-predictable controversy over the life and times of Michael Jackson, what's left to discuss? Plenty, if you're UC Berkeley's Center for Race and Gender. On October 1st, the CRG hosts "Michael Jackson: Critical Reflection on A Life & A Phenomenon," an academic discussion on the cultural relevancy and impact of the Gloved One. The symposium features two panel discussions, "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough: Artistry, Legacy, & Performance" and "Man in the Mirror: Race, Sexuality, & Representation," which will address MJ's legacy from the perspective of performance and artistry, racial and sexual politics, and cultural representations. The event also features David Blair, an urban folk/Afro-punk artist and slam poet. Watch Blair performing an a cappella rendition of "Man in the Mirror" here . For more info on the symposium, click here.