SANTA MARIA - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson on Wednesday said claims that pop superstar Michael Jackson had alienated himself from America`s black community were "stupid."
Reverend Jackson said he visited the star`s Neverland ranch on Tuesday, where the Motown legend is nervously awaiting a verdict in his child sex trial.
The former presidential candidate was asked by reporters to comment on reports that the black community had turned away from Jackson following allegations that he had undergone plastic surgery to whiten his skin.
The notion that Michael Jackson "is not African American is stupid, it is unsound," Reverend Jackson told reporters.
"He is an African American, you see his mother and father there. That is just stupid and foolish," Jackson said, explaining the star`s pale appearance by saying he had a "skin problem."
Jackson also said the superstar`s lawyers had been careful not to mix racial politics with Jackson`s child sex trial, even though the jury contains no African American members.
"Michael has not made it a contestible issue."
Jackson`s father Joe created waves earlier in the trial by saying that his son had been the target of racism.
Reverend Jackson said he spent several hours with Jackson in his bedroom Tuesday and also had counselled the star`s mother Katherine and father Joe and siblings Janet, LaToya, Rebe and Randy.
"He is exuding confidence and strength, though he has excrutiating pain in his back and he is working through that pain," Reverend Jackson said.
Jackson also hit out at law enforcement officials in Santa Maria who he said were mounting a campaign to influence the jury, the latest manifestation of which he said was a report in the USA Today newspaper about the cell which the star could occupy if convicted.
"Michael is very aware of the gravity of the situation and the political environment," Jackson said.
Jesse Jackson spoke outside the courthouse where jurors held a fourth day of deliberations on 10 charges of molestation, conspiracy and plying a minor with alcohol which could send Jackson to jail for more than 18 years.
06/08/2005 19:20 GMT