As the eldest child of the legendary Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson is no stranger to the spotlight. Recently, she has been at the center of a heated debate surrounding her racial identity. Despite her fair complexion, Paris proudly identifies as a Black woman, sparking both support and criticism from the public.
Born to Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson in 1998, Paris has followed in her father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in the music industry. Her light skin tone, which she shares with her father, has often led to questions about her racial identity. Michael Jackson’s own skin tone became lighter over time, reportedly due to vitiligo, a condition that causes skin pigmentation loss.
In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Paris shared her father’s words of wisdom, which have had a profound impact on her self-identification. Michael Jackson would tell her, “You’re Black. Be proud of your roots.” Paris took her father’s words to heart, believing in her Black heritage despite her physical appearance.
However, not everyone has been supportive of Paris’s self-identification. Talk show host Wendy Williams sparked controversy with her comments, highlighting the complexities of racial identity and the challenges of being judged by appearance rather than heritage. Paris’s experience serves as a reminder that racial identity is a personal and complex aspect of one’s identity, and that self-identification should be respected and celebrated.
