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Black or White

Music video

About

"Black or White" is a groundbreaking music video by Michael Jackson, released in 1991. Directed by John Landis, it features a diverse cast, including Macaulay Culkin, Tess Harper, and George Wendt. The video explores themes of racial harmony and cultural unity, showcasing dancers from various ethnic backgrounds. It begins with a boy retaliating against his father by blasting rock music, which sends the father into space, landing in Africa. The video then transitions to Jackson performing with dancers from different cultures, including African Zulu hunters and Native American performers. The video incorporates innovative visual effects, such as morphing, where people of different races transform into one another. This technique emphasizes the message of equality and unity. The video premiered in 27 countries, reaching an audience of 500 million viewers. It includes a rap sequence performed by children, including Culkin and Jackson's niece. The extended version features a dramatic finale where Jackson transforms into a black panther and engages in destructive behavior, which was later edited out due to controversy. Despite this, the video remains a powerful statement on racial harmony and cultural unity.