
Whether battling zombies in a red leather jacket for 'Thriller' or performing in fedoras and metal, Michael's style was insidious, innovative and incredible.

To commemorate his life and career, AOL Black Voices is offering a few items you can wear to channel Michael Jackson's singular style. Pull on a military jacket, shimmer in a sequined blazer and skirt or moonwalk in shiny silver. Following his lead, you're bound to make an impression that will be appreciated across generations, for generations:

The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
Claire Sulmers writes fashion articles for Black Voices' BV on Style. A seasoned journalist, her articles have been featured in Real Simple, Essence, Newsweek and Heart & Soul magazines. She also runs the style blog the Fashion Bomb, a daily destination for fashionistas of color.



Comments: (16)
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By: Thea on 6/28/2009 5:02PM
Michael Jackson will always be loved and missed as a distant brother to a lot of people. He had his good days and had some hills to climb on bad days, who had my support since I can remember him as a young boy singing. I have watched him and his family go through some things as we all do. May the Lord God send strength, peace, love and joy to the hearts of his family, Father; Mother most of all, and all his brothers and sisters. May God shield them from the harsh comments of those haters of life? In the last days, it has been written in King James days and before, that the hearts of man would grow cold, having no love, care, compassion.
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By: Thea on 6/28/2009 5:04PM
God knew about you then and He knows
About you today. Stop talking rude about Michael; it was very clear Michael was only trying to be who influenced him the most. Even in all his richness, he went through things just like the man who had little money for he is a distant brother, and we love him and his family as our own family even though we don't walk and talk with them every day, I know they loved Michael their brother very much through the good days and the bad days. Blood is thicker than water. I am very sorry Jackson family it had to be this way, however, hang on to Jesus, keep your hearts in His hand, and He will give you peace in your times of need. Michael will be missed
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By: Thea on 6/28/2009 5:06PM
missed and loved by people around the world, and by me. We love you always Michael. Even in Mike’s death, his business about his debts is not our business. Let me tell you people this, his debt is his own business and not yours, your in the wrong place, fix your own debt. How dare you, people are crazy. Michael business did not affect you, get out of his business. Something is wrong with people in his ranch is his families, get out of their business, you have no business. They do not have care for the same thing that they live in flesh; something is wrong, very wrong. I will miss seeing you from time to time on TV Michael, for you walked with the name of one of Gods favorite angels. As Jesus cried for Nazareth, I cried for you and your family. I will miss you "boy" Love always, and, I will love your siblings as I have loved you Michael and will see you in them every time I see them. For you will always be in my heart and live in safty.
Your sister in Christ, Thea.
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By: ACBrowne on 6/29/2009 11:26AM
I think Michael wasn't afraid & realize watching his kids from above is the best protection a parent could ever give. Michael’s soul was tired for too long, he took one look on the other side & got up and left. I love Michael dearly.
Priscilla Presley is an idiot looking for shine. She was too manly for Michael. Any so called celebrity that has to use the internet for means of shine is not a celebrity at all. Michael Jackson's legacy will be nothing to compare to her scum of a racist father. Elvis Presley was not an originator or innovator, he was in imitator and impersonator and stole a lot of his so called artistry from black entertainers like Little Richard & James Brown.
Michael Jackson’s legacy will be one of high regard. Michael Jackson was an originator, innovator, philanthropist, heartwarming, GOD SENT. His efforts in and out of music were all GOD inspired. Michael Jackson was truthful, honest, and transparent.
Bitchonce is an evil little brat that had to throw a tantrum @ the BET awards & make the tribute all about her when it was only for Michael Jackson. Sources close to the awards show report that is wasn't clear if she would perform, after she was denied privilege to sing "Never can say goodbye". Furthermore, her public statement about his death was written for her by her publicist because she is an undereducated used up whore, who cannot think for herself. The statement was only filled with misquotes from copy write infringed Hallmark cards.
Black people have a unique way of bringing down black people. R Kelly rapes a girl & urinates in her face, & it is all on camera & gets off scot free & black people hail him a king. Michael Jackson, KING OF POP, is acquitted not once but twice on the false allegations & even after life people are still giving shine to the negative and not the truth, positivity, and light of Michael Jackson’s magnificence.
And one more thing, everybody needs to stop talking about what debt he was in. The more you make, the more you can afford to owe. His debt is over estimated at around $400 million. His estate is worth over $1 Billion. That leaves his babies with a whopping $600 Million in assets, in addition to royalties from the estate. Ignorant non-accountants: YOU DO THE MATH!
My condolences go out to Michael Jackson children, his mother, his father, and his siblings. GOD BLESS & KEEP YOU STRONG DURING THIS TIME. KNOW THAT MICHAEL IS HAPPY AND IS IN A PLACE WERE NO ONE CAN EVER HURT, SLANDER, MISTREAT, OR CHEAT HIM, EVER AGAIN. AMEN SELAH.
1 LOVE.................
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By: Donald Ruhakana on 7/08/2009 2:43AM
"WE ARE NOT ALONE, I AM HERE WITH YOU, THOUGH WE ARE FAR APRT, YOUR WILL ALWAYS IN MY HEART,
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By: Ljubica Todorovic on 8/20/2009 3:04PM
We need to ROCK his style forever! In memory!
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