(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

"Uh, Mike, our case against the racist Sony empire is based on the presupposition that you're black," Reverend Al Sharpton might as well be whispering to the clinically weird superstar. And forgive us for being skeptical, Jacko, but when a multinational drops over $55 million to make and promote your album, it's safe to say that you might be getting a fair shake. Other bands with endlessly more talent have done better with less. Plus, have you ever considered that:

1) Your songs suck?

2) People are tired of your involvement (right or wrong) in molestation suits?

3) Some might not have forgotten your not-so-clever usage of the terms "jew" and "kike" to describe how you're getting ripped off?

4) You enlisted a former gay porn director to head (no pun intended) your 9/11 charity efforts?

5) You look, uh, strange?

6) You haven't done anything compelling since The Wiz?

7) Guys like Chuck D of Public Enemy could probably put $55 million to good use?

8) People might still be pissed that you screwed Paul McCartney out of his own songs, prompting a flurry of commercials featuring Beatles tunes to be foisted on an already nauseated public?

9) Most people not living in Japan consider you utterly detached from reality?

10) It's hard for the general public to sympathize with a guy claiming he's getting ripped off when he lives in a freaking amusement park populated by animals, John Merrick's skeleton and hyperbaric chambers?

To get a handle on the real deal behind Jacko's latest trip into surreality, try Tony Ortega's bizarre ride to the far side of gay porn, the King of Pop and September 11th. You might have a few words to say to Michael when you're done.

And for some serious perspective, check out Eric Lott's fascinating study of blackface minstrelsy, racism and the appropriation of African-American culture not involving subsisides over $50 million. I know, that's the third time we've mentioned the money. Here's another: $55 million!