More ramblies

[feliciakw]

I haven't thought about Michael Jackson this much since high school. Long before the scandals.



So, it's inevitable that user comments on news stories will include both extremes in praise of MJ and extremes in vilification. Now we've got one Congressional representative wanting to pass a resolution honoring MJ's contributions to the arts, and another "ranting" (I put it in quotes because I haven't read the rant or seen the YT vid) about how we're spending so much attention on a lowlife accused pedophile and child molester when Americans are dying overseas.

And it makes my brain hurt. I was talking to Geo about it, and how I think it might be possible that nothing happened, that MJ was just so fascinated with children and childhood because he didn't really have one himself. But Geo tells me that he's read on-line the deposition from the first accusation/court proceedings, and if the young man making the accusations was telling the truth (and as he was under oath on the stand, we can only assume that it is the truth, because it's all we have to go on), it was, apparently, extremely horrific.

So here's the dilemma . . . Michael Jackson unarguably made huge contributions to our popular culture, and he did break some racial barriers with his music and his dancing and his performance. And these significant contributions all occurred before the scandals. So how do you publicly, "officially" honor the man before he did what he (allegedly) did?

Comments

[kimmer1227.livejournal.com]

It is hard to reconcile. I'm fairly torn, myself. Like you say, he's given so much to mankind. But what if he's guilty?

I honestly believe he crossed some lines with his behavior. I get WHY he connects so strongly with children, but it's still basically poor judgment. I don't think he ultimately crossed the big line into molestation and such. I just don't. Or maybe I can't. He seems like such a innocent soul, ya know. Innocent to the point of naivete.

One thing I do know. I despise his father. He makes John Winchester seem like father of the year.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

I honestly believe he crossed some lines with his behavior. I get WHY he connects so strongly with children, but it's still basically poor judgment.

You get absolutely no argument from me on that. At the very least, it was poor judgment.

We were watching some old American Bandstand footage, when the J5 first appeared on the show. He was definitely the most exuberant of the group, but I could tell he was much more comfortable performing than simply talking.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

You and I were probably reading the same article. And I found the whole thing both touching for his trying to raise them to be polite and respectful, and very sad for the isolation they've been raised in thus far.

I was just wondering, before I read your comment, what these children are supposed to do with their lives if they don't have any sort of education or contact with the outside world. What are they supposed to grow up to be if they live their lives in a bubble? Even MJ had to work for a living.

I, too, hope they end up with someone who will give them a little more freedom and something more mainstream.