LIFESTYLE
Kisah di Balik Lagu “Black or White” Michael Jackson: Jangan Rasis, Kulit Putih dan Hitam Bersatu Sebagai Manusia

SEAToday.com, Los Angeles – Mendiang penyanyi Michael Jackson memang sudah tiada namun karya-karyanya tak lekang oleh waktu. Salah satu lagu populer dari sang raja pop adalah “Black or White”.
Lagu ini dirilis pada 5 November 1991. MJ sapaan sang penyanyi menulis lirik lagu ini dengan cerdas. MJ memotret kisah kehidupan kaum kulit hitam di Amerika yang dinomorduakan dan kerap dipandang sebelah mata.
Terkadang seseorang mendapat hinaan hanya karena warna kulit, suku, ras, dan agama. Hal itu sanga tidak baik dilakukan di era modern. Tak terhitung berapa jumlah korban manusia yang mendapat rasisme karena warna kulit hitam atau putih.
Mau kulit hitam atau putih yang penting saling bersatu, mencintai sebagai sesama manusia. Lirik lagu “Black or White” memang cukup kritis dan orang yang sering melakukan rasisme akan tertusuk dan semoga saja insyaf untuk berhenti melakukan hal tersebut.
Lagu “Black or White” menjadi salah satu single MJ yang sukses. Lagu ini pernah bertahan di puncak Billboard Hot 100 selama tujuh minggu. Berkahnya menjadikan MJ sebagai artis pertama yang memiliki singel #1 Hot 100 pada tahun 1970-an, 1980-an, dan 1990-an.
Apakah “Black or White” masih relate jika didengarkan sekarang? Tentu saja iya. Di dunia masih ada saja pihak-pihak yang diduga sengaja memecah belah masyarakat dengan melempar isu berdasarkan warna kulit. Mau nyanyi lagu “Black or White? Ini potongan liriknya yang lengkap.
Took my baby on a Saturday bang
Boy is that girl with you?
Yes we're one and the same
Now I believe in miracles
And a miracle has happened tonight
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
They print my message in the Saturday Sun
I had to tell them I ain't second to none
And I told about equality and it's true
Either you're wrong or you're right
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I am tired of this devil
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of this business
Sew when the going gets rough
I ain't scared of your brother
I ain't scared of no sheets
I ain't scared of nobody
Girl, when the going gets mean
Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
Causing grief in human relations
It's a turf war on a global scale
I'd rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it's not about races
Just places, faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I've seen the bright get duller
I'm not going to spend my life being a color
Don't tell me you agree with me
When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I said if you're thinkin' of being my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I said if you're thinkin' of being my brother
It don't matter if you're black or white
Ooh, ooh
Yea, yea, yea now
Ooh, ooh
Yea, yea, yea now
It's black, it's white
It's tough for you to get by (yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's black, it's white
It's black, it's white
It's tough for you to get by (yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's black, it's white