To Be Equal: James Earl Jones and Tito Jackson helped shift perception of Black culture

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“I look at it this way: anybody can carry a picket sign, but I think you should be able to articulate what that sign means … Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the same things that all those people demonstrating believe in, but I just look for plays or movies that say the same thing and play characters in them.”—James Earl JonesAmerica lost two Black icons of the entertainment industry in recent days.James Earl Jones was a generation older than Tito Jackson, but both hit the peak of their fame in the 1970s and played a major role in shifting perception of Black culture and history.Jones’ distinctive bass voice, which brought him his greatest fame in roles where his face was not even seen, brought a remarkable gravitas and dignity to characters whose race was of pivotal importance.Jackson, who performed with his brothers as the Jackson 5, was part of the first Black pop band to achieve mainstream teen idol status and paved the way for later “boy bands” of all races and ethnicities like New Edition, Menudo, and Backstreet Boys.Some even cite the popularity of the Jackson 5 as a factor in the election of the first Black...