While I understand that Jesse Jackson is saying (as I’m interpreting it) that what we do and can do is built on those that came before, to say that Michael Jackson can’t be appreciated on his own seems demeaning to him. He had great talent. As did Sammy Davis Jr. (not a sports fan or a generally a follower of NY politics). What he was able to accomplish in terms of recognition would have been influenced by what Davis achieved, but his abilities didn’t depend on that.
While I understand that Jesse Jackson is saying (as I’m interpreting it) that what we do and can do is built on those that came before, to say that Michael Jackson can’t be appreciated on his own seems demeaning to him. He had great talent. As did Sammy Davis Jr. (not a sports fan or a generally a follower of NY politics). What he was able to accomplish in terms of recognition would have been influenced by what Davis achieved, but his abilities didn’t depend on that.