Finally Facing the Michael Jackson Paradox
The producer for our evening newscast made an astute comment to me today. He said before Michael Jackson’s death, a poll of how he’s regarded by people would have been evenly split: 50-percent that he’s an unparalleled musical talent, a great man, whose “eccentricities” are part of his genius; and 50-percent that he’s a sick person, whose obvious musical greatness becomes secondary to his bizarre life and inappropriate enjoyment of the company of young boys. I told my producer I thought he was right, and that since Jackson’s death, that ratio has shifted to more like 95-percent positive and 5-percent negative.
Now, as we’re seeing the last few days, those in that minority are beginning to make themselves heard. Long Island congressman Peter King, on a youtube video over the weekend, questioned why there was such adulatory, non-stop media coverage of someone he called a “pervert” and “lowlife.” In follow-up comments today, he didn’t back off:
Lest you attribute King’s comments to the fact that he’s conservative, liberal New York Times columnist Bob Herbert today expressed similar thoughts. It’s worth quoting at length:
Reality is unforgiving. There is no escape. Behind the Jackson facade was the horror of child abuse. Court records and reams of well-documented media accounts contain a stream of serious allegations of child sex abuse and other inappropriate behavior with very young boys. Jackson, a multimillionaire megastar, was excused as an eccentric. Small children were delivered into his company, to spend the night in his bed, often by their parents.”
Indeed, reality is unforgiving, and this paradox—that Michael Jackson was both a transcendently brilliant musician and entertainment/cultural force, AND a deeply troubled, very likely mentally ill person, who used his fame to flaunt one of society’s most deeply-held taboos—must be fully confronted. There’s emerging a “he was a good guy/he was a bad guy” argument, but this is a false choice. Michael Jackson was both, and his brilliance as an entertainer in no way gets him off the hook for his perversions, while his dark side in no way diminishes the existence of his singular talent.
The media doesn’t like paradox. It’s too hard to explain. But I believe when a life is looked at—and we sure are looking at Jackson’s—one must take the full measure of the man into account. He was a one-in-a-billion shooting star talent. And he was sick person. Like it or not, to give an honest remembrance of Michael Jackson, both sides must be considered valid.
Comments: 36
Jim
As always an interesting thought ~ however, Peter King, as a Congressman, should be wholly aware that this country is a nation of law and order. Michael Jackson was tried before a jury of his peers and found not guilty, making Peter Kings comments sheer nonsense.
So far as the media saturation, I am no expert, however, I am fairly sure that all TV companys are well versed in what brings them ratings and thus income - Peter King and other critics should learn where the OFF switch is on the TV ... it is so much easier than whining.
I would just like to say that Congressman King's comments were insensitive and false. What about Elvis Pressley who was dating and reportedly intimate with Priscilla Pressley when she was 14 or Jerry Lee Lewis who married his then 13 year old cousing Myra? These men have no doubt left an indelible mark on society with the music they made. They are called architects and pioneers of rock and roll. Yet Michael Jackson whose only goal was to bring joy and comfort to not hundreds but millions of people who to this day are still benefiting from his charitable contributions after his death, is labled a "pervert, "freak" or even "pedophile"! Its not fair to him or his memory! Shame on Peter King!
I would just like to say that Congressman King's comments were insensitive and false. What about Elvis Pressley who was dating and reportedly intimate with Priscilla Pressley when she was 14 or Jerry Lee Lewis who married his then 13 year old cousing Myra? These men have no doubt left an indelible mark on society with the music they made. They are called architects and pioneers of rock and roll. Yet Michael Jackson whose only goal was to bring joy and comfort to not hundreds but millions of people who to this day are still benefiting from his charitable contributions after his death, is labled a "pervert, "freak" or even "pedophile"! Its not fair to him or his memory! Shame on Peter King!
Three cheers for Peter King. Finally someone had the guts to say what Jackson really was: a child molester, scumbag, who would be in jail if it were not for his money.
My votes goes to Peter King.
John Lennon had ten times more talent than Michael Jackson, but did not receive media glorification. These days the liberal media is into black glorification starting with murderer OJ Simpson and continuing with radical Obama and pedophile Jackson.
^ ---
Some people just crave attention. (eileen) still Michael was a great person and even though there were some negative aspects in his life he should be respected in his death. He was a great icon and will always live on in our hearts.
I guess everyone wants to cash in on MICHEAL JACKSON death... cause if Micheal was still alive, we would be saying peter king Who!!!(small letters for small person).. Worry about all the garbage in your backyard .. Talk to the infants in N.Y. Senates, that put N.Y. in DEBT.. No he want to convict a dead man of something he found not guilty of.. Only in LI a black man in guilty even when the court fines him NOY GUILTY... Sounds like 1950's all over.. kkk come to mine look at this man...
I guess everyone wants to cash in on MICHEAL JACKSON death... cause if Micheal was still alive, we would be saying peter king Who!!!(small letters for small person).. Worry about all the garbage in your backyard .. Talk to the infants in N.Y. Senates, that put N.Y. in DEBT.. No he want to convict a dead man of something he found not guilty of.. Only in LI a black man in guilty even when the court fines him NOY GUILTY... Sounds like 1950's all over.. kkk come to mine look at this man...
I cant believe most of you..come on people he was a child molester bottom line..Michael Jackson is not an icon he is a looser.
the man had issues. he didnt know if he was black or white. but what he did know was he liked little boys.praise peter king for telling the god's honest truth.. we had other celeberties that died that day and not one news station ever covered the stories like they should..instead they exaggerated the michael jackson death. .
poor farrah , poor ed mcmahon, poor billy mays..not even the news gave these celeberties the time of day..you should all be ashamed of yourselves..
hello there i am 31 years old i grew up watching micheal jackson. He was always a big fan to me no matter what people says about him. He was endeed very humble and creative man when it comes to his music and his dance.. sometimes people like to see people suffer alot. i feelt micheal pain when he was being confuse of something which he is not. Also for the record Yes! I would leave me kids with micheal cause he would treat them real good like it was his own. thats just me saying
hello there i am 31 years old i grew up watching micheal jackson. He was always a big fan to me no matter what people says about him. He was endeed very humble and creative man when it comes to his music and his dance.. sometimes people like to see people suffer alot. i feelt micheal pain when he was being confuse of something which he is not. Also for the record Yes! I would leave me kids with micheal cause he would treat them real good like it was his own. thats just me saying
hello there i am 31 years old i grew up watching micheal jackson. He was always a big fan to me no matter what people says about him. He was endeed very humble and creative man when it comes to his music and his dance.. sometimes people like to see people suffer alot. i feelt micheal pain when he was being confuse of something which he is not. Also for the record Yes! I would leave me kids with micheal cause he would treat them real good like it was his own. thats just me saying
hello there i am 31 years old i grew up watching micheal jackson. He was always a big fan to me no matter what people says about him. He was endeed very humble and creative man when it comes to his music and his dance.. sometimes people like to see people suffer alot. i feelt micheal pain when he was being confuse of something which he is not. Also for the record Yes! I would leave me kids with micheal cause he would treat them real good like it was his own. thats just me saying
hello there i am 31 years old i grew up watching micheal jackson. He was always a big fan to me no matter what people says about him. He was endeed very humble and creative man when it comes to his music and his dance.. sometimes people like to see people suffer alot. i feelt micheal pain when he was being confuse of something which he is not. Also for the record Yes! I would leave me kids with micheal cause he would treat them real good like it was his own. thats just me saying
hello i am 312 years old i grew up wachting micheal jackson. He is my biggest fan. i even tried to moon walkbut micheal does it better.I also wanted to have hair like him. he was always humble and very creative with his song and dance. people like to see other people suffer. Also for the record Yes! i would leave my kids with micheal jackson i belive he will treat them like they would be his..
hello i am 312 years old i grew up wachting micheal jackson. He is my biggest fan. i even tried to moon walkbut micheal does it better.I also wanted to have hair like him. he was always humble and very creative with his song and dance. people like to see other people suffer. Also for the record Yes! i would leave my kids with micheal jackson i belive he will treat them like they would be his..
hello i am 312 years old i grew up wachting micheal jackson. He is my biggest fan. i even tried to moon walkbut micheal does it better.I also wanted to have hair like him. he was always humble and very creative with his song and dance. people like to see other people suffer. Also for the record Yes! i would leave my kids with micheal jackson i belive he will treat them like they would be his..
If we are to, as you say, take the "full measure" of the man, let us not forget to talk about and acknowledge the multi-millions he gave to many charitable causes and folks in need. As you and Herbert point out there's no excusing the behavior we believe or have been led to believe exists. But, while I have not, myself, seen this "evidence" undoubtedly some of it is real. But, by the same token, we can't have it both ways:--we can't say that his behavior reflects a mental illness and irrationality and then say we should hold him, in that regard, to the same standard as those we consider for all intensive purposes to be "sane". This is NOT said by way of an excuse, just an acknowledgment of the difficulties and seriousness of trying to find easy answers to make sense out of this complicated life. Peter King on the other hand should actually be doing something for the injured soldiers and vets not trying to make an early senatorial shot across the bow.
"The media doesn’t like paradox."
are you kidding me??? The media LOVES anything unusual, paradox, or controversial, cause this can drive up the rating (also create yellow journalism)!
Yes, his is probably both a genius artist and and have issue with boys. I don't know if he really touched those boys, so I am not going to call him a pedophile, or label him as such and such. I hate labeling and bashing, so I am not going to join in.
But I would wonder what happen if he is just an average artist instead of "king of pop", then how will we see him?
Either way, I do think that the medias have been putting WAY too much coverage on his death, to a point that increasing more people are becoming tired of the news (not all people are MJ's fans).
Now, let's this thing over with after today's memorial.
Bob Herbert said himself that he was psychologically disabled. We do not ostracize those who are sick. We heal them and nurture them back to health. His doctors failed him in this respect. I find both Peter King and Bob Herbert disrepectful. I was always taught not to speak ill of the dead. The man isn't even buried yet!! Peter King and all the idiots in Albany need to stick to doing their jobs!
I don't think speak ill of the dead is always wrong, if the one died indeed did something wrong, even the person died doesn't make it right. Tons of people speak ill of Hitler ever since he died, is this disrespectful also?
If we are prohibited to do so, even when it is a fact, then it becomes another kind of censorship.
KC - Hilter is a totally different class than MJ. All the stuff that is said by Peter King is presumption, (must I remind you that he was acquited by a jury of his peers) whereas what Hitler did was well documented. Making accusations about the dead is a cowardice thing to do since the they cannot defend themselves. The memorial was beautiful and touching. May he rest in peace.
I don't know about others, but myself would stay neutral for the trial. MJ may touched the boys, he may not, I don't know.
By the way, not guilty from the jury doesn't have to mean anything in a sense - OJ's murder trial was not found guilty also, but everyone think he did it and can get away with it by law's loophole.
Peter King's word may be too strong, but but his points are not totally wrong, it is just what he said is not PC, but he is being blasted at. Now a day, anyone say anything not PC will be blasted.
Thank god the heat's off me, at least for a while...
after the 2 weeks over coverage of MJ's death, it is finally over. Now, I myself admire MJ's musical target, he is really one of a kind. But, from such a huge attention to his death, I think MJ is being wrongly idolized and worshiped. It is like US is lack of the heat of a national icon since Obama, and now we grab MJ as one. They almost didn't held MJ as god... It just shows what US's spiritual status is.
And really, since when did we give such an honor to our troops?
Michael Jackson is a pedophile, plain and simple. Just like OJ, he was acquitted of the charges. The world is better off without people like Michael Jackson. So long!! You will NOT be missed
Sorry guys, but this is far from over. You'll continue to hear about the children and their biological mother. The USA is made of many different people and the fact that so many were united in the death of what person shows you the reach of that person.
The U.S. may also be a nation that is socially corrupt, but that has nothing to do with MJ. The news channels are again focusing on news again and only the entertainment channels are still focusing on him entirely. So if you no longer want to hear/ watching things about him, then shut off the TV/ radio and read a book.
you are right. after the memorial, the next thing is the crazy custody battle. The sad news is, I wonder how many of them actually fight for the parental right just for the love of the kids, not for the money or fame?
PPL U HAVE TO WATCH THE FACT THAT HES BEEN FOUND NOT GUILTY AND HIS DOCUMENTARIES BOTH OF THEM THE ONE THAT TARGETED HIM AND THE ONE THAT REDEEMS HIM LEARN FROM THE PERSON MJ REALLY WAS: A CHILD AT HEART
I must agree with Ferdinand -- Michael Jackson may have had many problems, but I don't think he ever was a child molester. The parents of those boys simply tried to extort money from Jackson, and they, along with Peter King, should all burn in Hell. I'm not even a fan of Jackson's -- I agree with the person who earlier wrote that John Lennon was ten (really, a thousand) times more talented. Jackson was mentally ill, but that doesn't give them the right to rip him off and exploit him, and actually destroy his life.
Your language is scary, sounds like anyone with strong language that you don't want to hear should burn in hell. But really, since when did we give our fallen heroes such an honor (besides liberals bash them as murders)? I guess it is not PC to say this also....
Again, I am neutral on this molester part.
and for that guy, please don't write in all upper case. the line is short this time so people can finish off easy. any longer, people will have a hard time to read it, no matter if you feel like shouting.
Please, go to Michael's website and read hundreds of thousands of comments how he influenced the world. No deviant could do so much good around the world. Unfortunaely we live in a society where it takes for one to die to be appreciated.
MJ was an outstanding musical talent until he moonwalked over the edge. He deserves admiration for his musical accomplishments but this doesn't mean we need to be silent about the rest of his life. He did what he did, good and bad. The media adulation, however, is a whole different thing. Round the clock coverage on commercial an cable TV for a week is more than overkill. It sent a bad message to many and wore others out. We didn't/don't need that/this much coverage about an entertainer. MJ did not heal the sick, he didn't raise the dead, he never performed open heart surgery and saved a human life, and he never put himself in harms way for his country. He remained a child until he was 50 years old. Those that have truly done greater things for humanity than sing and dance never received this much adulation. It seems we have our values backwards and the media just wants to make a buck.
Michael Jackson was definintely an impaired human being but he was not a pervert or child molester. True, his behavior with children sometimes crossed the line and became inappropriate. But the man's sense of reality was skewed by his enormous lifelong fame. Those that knew him best would tell you that he was more than likely nonsexual or asexual. The evidence of his life suggests that he didn't have a lustful bone in his body. Take note, Peter King, you're a knat talking against a whale. Very few politcians throughout history his contributed more to humanity and culture as Michael Jackson had. He gave and did more for the poor, the hungry, and the sick than you and some of the idiot politicians berating this man can ever scatch the surface of. He wasn't just another black man that could sing and dance and got accused of something vile so he must be guilty because he's black and he got accused.
There is a simple reason that 5% of people out there think that Michael Jackson was a pedophile: misinformation. The media reported that Jordie Chandler, also a Long Island resident, accurately described "spotches" on Michael Jackson's penis. However, the media placed a single line to report that the police investigation revealed that while Jordie Chandler informed them that Michael Jackson was circumcised, a visual inspection revealed that he was not circumcised. I don't know how you could mistake the two and it clearly demonstrated that the Chandlers were grifters. We all recall that when little Amy Fisher was in jail, she too said she could identify someone's penis. That guys went to jail.
I also think that the comparison's to OJ Simpson are telling. The most incriminating evidence in the OJ Simpson case was precluded from introduction because it was obtained during the "unlawful" search conducted on the night of the murders. Had all of the evidence been allowed into the case, there is no way he would not have been convicted.
With Michael Jackson, the DA executed upon ten warrants and conducted searches of Neverland and two other apartments. They also were permitted to introduce evidence of prior claims of molestation. In spite of the $4,000,000 poured into the prosecution and the 10 years to build its case, the prosecution was unable to secure a guilty verdict. This is not because evidence was precluded but maybe, just maybe, because the media reported "salacious" details that were not entirely true.
I don't know what happened and I never will. However, this was a man who entertained millions of fans around the world. He should be appreciated for what he gave, how he entertained and what he leaves behind.
You don't have to be a fan, but if you have nothing nice to say. . .
also want to add that O.J.'s case was very different right from the beginning...Remember OJ ran from the cops. (white bronco) I don't think an innocent person would do such a thing.
I'll remember MJ for the good he's brought into the world. And his positive messages in his songs.
You peoples who are posting messages here like Brian, Eileen, and Andrew are talking a lot of nonsense. For if Micheal Jackson really should burn in Heck for molestering all the sexy little children, then so should at least around 75% of all the Catholick priests, bishops, cardinals, and Popes. But of course this can't be so, now can it? Because if it was really wrong to molester all the sweet sexy little boys, then God wouldn't have created them so sexy and tasty in the first place. Common sense, peoples!
Long live Macauley Culkin, Jesus Juice, and K-Y Jelly!