Bigfoot Author Links Bigfoot Racism to Michael Jackson
Posted by: Loren Coleman on June 27th, 2009
Social scientist Joshua B. Buhs, author of Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend writes Cryptomundo about a
…connection – tenuous and racist – between Michael Jackson and the world of cryptozoology.
Jackson’s nickname among the tabloids was Jacko (which conveniently rhymed with wacko).
Jacko was also the name of the supposed young Sasquatch caught in 1884.
Is there a link? I suspect so.
Jocko is a common slang for a monkey or ape. Jacko seems to be a corruption of that word. Jacko worked as a name for a Sasquatch because it made clear the thing–whatever it was, whether it existed or not–was supposed to be understood as an ape.
The same subtle allusion is then built into Michael Jackson’s nickname. He’s an ape, and his association with Bubbles only cements that. ~ Joshua B. Buhs, June 27, 2009.
(Fair use, for editorial comment; image credit Akira Suemori.)
Typical image comparisons found on the Internet between a character in The Planet of the Apes and Michael Jackson.
See “The Story of Jacko” for more details on the 1884 capture story.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Did not know that bit about the name “Jacko.”
Buhs certainly posits a very interesting theory, to say the least.
I feel that it if it was racism, it was unintentional racism, mostly.
I do not think most people knew the “context” of this word.
Good post, though. Thought-provoking. Thanks, Loren.
“Jacko the Monkey” was a popular kids toy along with teddy bears and golliwogs in 1950’s UK. It was possibly based on the “Jacko” owned by Dame Cadbury, which died of fright when a Zeppelin’s bomb exploded near their Birmingham UK home in 1917.
All the parallels with MJ’s nickname, pets etc simply give the media more to play with.
Wuffing: I agree with you. This may go on for while. Sigh…
Just ridiculous!
It’s sickening when people try to put racism and other PC nonsense into situations where it’s more than likely not intended (especially such tragic ones. Although if it WAS intended that’s sick)
This is a tragic event & we should be remembering the good things about Micheal & not bring more drama into it.
(even though I wasn’t a big fan of him like some people, I am saddened by his death)
Maybe I’m wrong….it just seems stupid & uncalled for to me. Y’know?
Actually the 1884 Jacko was more usually described as a wild man than a supposed gorilla. I have a feeling Jacko might not have minded being called a wild man the odd time or two and not just on stage ! I expect he took some enjoyment too out of the friendly use of the snappy ”Jacko” by his fans also !
Jacko is of course not Jocko and it looks as if Buhs is just trying to get in on Jackons fame by making his absurd, positively unhealthy, connections. Why do I think of worm tongue out of Lord of the Rings ?
I expect there is a bit of racism in cryptozoology and things called racism which are not, as there are bits of greed, bigotry, arrogance etc etc. but its mostly pretty minor. Overall a good bunch of gals and guys and the pot does not need stirring !
“Tenuous”? Yes. “Racist”? No. “Social Scientist”? Doubtful. The most absurd post ever? Quite probably.
Be sad for the children he molested before being sad for the deranged sick individual Jacko was.
Yea yea he wasnt convicted, thats why he paid 40 million to the family of the child he “supposedly” molested.
What is wrong with this world
Perhaps part of the word associations are related to what Loren calls Twilight Language. There may be a sort of power that comes with the words, that draw these associations to them, whether consciously or not. It has certainly stirred up a lot of readers.
I will sorely miss the king of pop. His nickname was more than likely an inside racist label. I have much respect for Michael and his music. But I cannot help but think that our children are safer in the wake of his passing. Rest in peace Michael.
The only reason he was given the moniker “Jacko” was because it rhymed with “wacko”, thats it and thats all. To have been associated with BF or apes in any way, in my opinion, is only the aftermath of a closed minded racist fool. Now I know we have the freedom of speech, but at least my parents taught me manners and to be respectful of others, which is something this idiot and a lot of others I guess weren’t taught. Another thing, I believe it is in really poor taste to talk about the dead, no matter what the circumstances. Now, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t much care for MJ or his music, much, but I am reminded of a couple of things: “Let he, that is with out sin, cast the first stone.” and “Judgement is mine, sayth the Lord.” Which means, if MJ did do all that he was accused of, then he is roasting in purgatory, and judgment is served.
I am also reminded of one hard lesson I was taught as a child, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I know it isn’t as newsworthy, but I believe that is whats wrong with our country and generation today, no respect!
Well I’ll get off my soapbox now, just had to speak my mind on the subject. Believe me, I am NO saint. If MJ is in purgatory, he is keeping a seat warm for me, but at least i try to be respectful and mannerly, as I was taught to.
While racism should be exposed whenever it is expressed publicly, I doubt this is a case of racist expression. If it were, this would imply tabloid reporters were versed enough to know Jacko is derived from Jocko which is a shortened version of a Bantu word, enjocko, meaning chimpanzee. Somehow, I doubt tabloid reporters are that smart.
But they ARE mean enough to have a word that rhymes with “wacko.” Also, I think this shortened version of MJ’s name probably was influenced by another celebrity tabloid nickname: Jackie-O.
Coming soon: Was Jackie-O a racist term to refer to the former first lady?
Very sloppy. No effort is even made to track down the first application of “Jacko” to Michael Jackson. For all this Bigfoot author knows, the nickname originated in Jackson’s own publicity office.