Cocker said that he found the performance offensive, claiming that Jackson had portrayed himself as Christ-like and could do as he pleased because of his immense wealth and power. However, he clarified that his actions weren't personally against Jackson himself, just the performance. He stated that he admired Jackson as a performer, proclaiming that: "He can dance, [...] anybody who invents the moonwalk is alright by me". Jackson condemned Cocker's behavior as "disgusting and cowardly". The incident is referred to in the book "Politics and Popular Culture" by John Street, Professor of Politics at the University of East Anglia. He says: