Algorithm Nation: How Janet Jackson Came To Spread Misinformation About Kamala Harris

I have loved Janet Jackson for as long as I can remember so I am going to mirror Whoopi Goldberg’s call to extend Our Lady of the Butterfly “a little grace” about the confounding new headlines her latest interview continues to generate.

Everything was going fine in The Guardian’s new profile of the legendary artist until the subject of the potential first Black woman president came up.

MORE: Janet Jackson’s Misstep On Kamala Harris Illustrates The Problem Disinformation Poses For This Election

When asked about Vice President Kamala Harris, Janet peculiarly noted: “Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”

When told Harris was Black and Indian, Janet attempted to correct her.

“Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days,” she explained to writer Nosheen Iqbal.

“I was told that they discovered her father was white.”

The interview only got more depressing depending on where you stand on nonsense people find on the internet as Janet spoke further about pending “mayhem” (OK; we might let her have this one) and child trafficking rings.

On the latter, Janet said: “Well, there’s all this child trafficking crap that’s going on and sex trafficking crap, you know what I mean, that wasn’t so prevalent then? At least, we didn’t know about it back then. I don’t think we did, did we? Not really. I think it’s now out in the open because it’s like a billion-dollar business and all that crap.”

Iqbal writes that as she listens to Janet speak, she wonders “what internet rabbit holes she’s been going down, but, before I can ask, she’s moved on.”

From the sound it, of the QAnon and red hat-wearing variety.

Most of us would like to forget this ever happened and spend money on tickets to Janet’s new Vegas residency in peace.

We can’t until Janet publicly acknowledges her mistake, but unfortunately her camp has yet to.

Someone at least did try to apologize on Janet’s behalf.

First reported by Buzzfeed, a man named Mo Elmasri claimed to be the singer’s manager and released the following statement: “Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments. She recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation. Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused. She values the diversity Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating that in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding.”

However, Variety confirmed it was not authorized by Jackson or anyone on her team — they don’t know that man.

I have a suggestion for Team Damita Jo, though: copy and paste that stranger’s apology and re-release it.

Much as I love Janet, and I understand how she has been sociopolitical in her music, she herself has never been inherently political to the point she comments on specific political candidates.

She was raised Jehovah’s Witness, a religion where those who practice do not vote. As a rich adult, she only discovered Flamin’ Hot Cheetos maybe six years ago. We’re all part of the Rhythm Nation, Janet lives on another planet than the rest of us.

So how did she come to start spreading misinformation about Kamala’s make-believe white father and QAnon conspiracy theories?

It appears by way of some right-wing-leaning kinfolk in her life.

As Iqbal observes in her piece after Janet shares that previously promised new music is being held up by her brother: “I’m surprised that Randy, who is four years older than Janet and the youngest Jackson brother, has so much say over her career.”

If you take a look over at some of Randy Jackson’s now-defunct Twitter account, you see the image of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Jackson brother saluting Nicki Minaj for her Covid vaccine skepticism.

Moreover, in Page Six’s story about the “PR nightmare” Janet’s interview has created, a reported insider told Carlos Greer that Randy is a “Trump supporter and conspiracy theorist.”

“Janet’s bubble is small, and she listens to Randy. She does peddle in conspiracy theories,” they added.

I’m over Randy for holding up Janet’s Black Diamond album alone, but I’m even more concerned about him potentially tilting the algorithm of one of our most celebrated entertainers in history so far to the right that she is now disappointing the public.

As soon as this interview went live on Saturday, all of my social media feeds were dominated with posts from Black folks disappointed in our beloved pop icon sounding like that conspiratorial aunt you unfollow on Facebook.

In that same Page Six piece, a described insider explained: “How can she sing about ‘Rhythm Nation’ and make comments like that? It doesn’t even sound like her. She’s so methodical. I don’t know what made her do this.”

There are indeed now articles floating around asking if Janet is a “low-key Republican?”

I don’t think Janet would identify in such terms, but the problem with misinformation is you can repeat Republican talking points without knowing it and be radicalized all the same.

Janet is proof that the faces of those being influenced by right-wing disinformation aren’t just white.

Janet Jackson was wronged 20 years ago and it is only now in recent years that she’s managed to start being treated with the respect her career and accomplishments deserve.

I would hate to see that derailed in any way because of ill-informed commentary.

Again, we should give her grace. After all, despite the stories, she recently lost her brother Tito Jackson. But the sooner Janet offers a professional “my bad” and calls Kamala a “sista” or whatever in an IG post, the better off we’ll be.

Then we can figure out how to direct her to better news sources.

Michael Arceneaux is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent book, “I Finally Bought Some Jordans,” was published in March.

SEE ALSO:

VP Kamala Harris Shouldn’t Have To Prove Her Blackness

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