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Confused civil rights leaders and supporters listened to Michael Jackson denounce his treatment by the record industry. "Just because I am a white woman, they didn't promote my album they way they should have." At the civil rights meeting in New York on Saturday, Jackson claimed there was a "conspiracy" among record companies to promote black male artists above white women just because genres like hip hop, rap and R&B are consistently the most lucrative categories in record sales.

"You're black dammit."

"The record companies really do conspire against the artists, especially us Caucasian women," Jackson told a crowd of around 350 people at Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters in Harlem. Onlookers were apparently shocked by the statement. Reverend Al Sharpton shook his head and dropped to one knee. He was promptly covered by a velvet cape, which he shrugged off.

While alienating one group, Jackson seems to have made many new fans among female musicians. Jewel, Sarah McGlachlan and Natalie Merchant led a WASP (Women Against Selective Preference) demonstration outside Sony in Manhattan. Many had signs bearing the likeness of Jackson and their founder Karen Carpenter. A large group of supporters chanted out of rhythm, softly for several minutes calling for a boycott of their products. The women then began singing "I am woman hear me roar" quietly.

A spokesman for Sony - Jackson's record label - responded to the singer's criticisms, saying the remarks were "Not any stranger than anything else about him," adding, "Dude, I've been to a sleepover at his house. Nothing surprises me anymore."

Jackson alleged that generations of fair-skinned soft-spoken women had not gained the success and profits they deserved because of the power of record companies to discriminate against crappy music made by mousy white chicks.

Sources close to Jackson claim that he is so discouraged by his treatment by Sony that he is considering retiring from music altogether and changing careers. The source claims Jackson has drawn so much strength from his religious faith that he is considering becoming a priest.

- Clark Brandon