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I pray Michael Jackson’s children will never be bullied like their father
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
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It was a mumbled comment by the late Michael Jackson’s father Joseph that finally made me feel sorry for the King of Pop.
“I keep looking at Paris and thinking she could do something,” Joseph said casually. “And Blanket can sing and dance ?”
Is this man for real? Michael Jackson is not yet buried. A second autopsy was carried out at the request of his family, apparently. And the star’s final resting-place has not yet been revealed to the public.
And yet Joseph Jackson seems to have turned his moneymaking attentions to Michael’s three children already. Good-looking kids, they undoubtedly are, and there’d be no problem generating endless interest in the media.
But Michael is on record as saying that Joseph beat him with a belt if he ever made a mistake during rehearsals as a child. And that Joseph made him a nervous, anxious young person who obsessed about his fame, his figure and his performances.
Was that why Michael had so much surgery, the experts asked? Because he didn’t want to look like the father he was so afraid of? I used to think that particular theory was a bit far-fetched but now I’m not so sure.
The fact that Joseph Jackson used Michael’s funeral coverage to promote his new record label speaks volumes. This man appears to have no feelings. For whatever reason he seems to care only about money.
He might be considered an elderly man, and at a point in his life where material things should be losing their importance to him.
You’d think he would want to grieve for his estranged son, Michael. And perhaps try to heal any differences between him and his other eight children, and his wife Katherine, from whom he is separated. But no, the Almighty Dollar obviously still means a lot to Joseph.
I know people handle grief in different ways but is laughing in public really a sign of extreme grief? Is bringing a publicist to your son’s funeral really the right way to go?
I really feel sorry for Michael Jackson now. And I’m even starting to agree with friends of mine who were always huge fans of Michael, and who said that if Michael was really sharing his bed with those young boys at his Neverland Ranch, then why did their parents go on bringing them to visit? And why were the parents not charged with endangerment and neglect of their own children?
Michael’s own children looked the picture of health at their father’s funeral. So I’m fairly confident they were not the victims of years of abuse or neglect themselves. They have led such a sheltered life to date. Yes, that is true. But can we really blame Michael now, for covering the children’s faces whenever they went out in public?
Perhaps he feared the very thing that Joseph Jackson has now mentioned? That someone utterly unscrupulous in showbusiness, perhaps even Joseph himself, would notice how attractive the children were, and try to make money out of them somehow?
It seems too bizarre to contemplate but maybe Michael’s children could become The Jackson Three?I read recently that Joseph Jackson was paid a six-figure sum for a brief interview about his dead son.
Who knows if this information is true or not? But isn’t it so very sad that even an interview about a dead celebrity might be worth so much money?
To the family, friends and fans of Michael Jackson, I would like to say I’m sorry I called his life a freak show in a recent column. In my defence I never really followed the life and times of Michael Jackson in any depth.
But to be bullied as a sensitive and shy child into the glaring arena of world stardom by a man like Joseph Jackson must have been a living nightmare. |No wonder Michael turned to drugs and his fantasy Neverland ranch to try to blot out the memories.
I still think Michael was very naive to try to be friends with young children.
Once our childhoods are over, be they happy childhoods or otherwise, they are over for good. And nothing on earth can turn back the clock and make them right again.
So Michael was wasting his time there, and perhaps the young children he befriended went home thinking it was safe to trust all and any friendly adults, when sadly we all know this is not a good thing to do. But apart from that, the only person Michael hurt was himself.
The cosmetic surgery, the anti-anxiety drugs, the meagre diet he supposedly existed on, and the heavy make-up he wore at all times: it all just seems so sad and lonely now.
The desperate actions of a very talented man, who seemed to become more and more lonely and unhappy, the richer he became.
Michael Jackson, rest in peace. And let us all pray the Jackson children find the peace and happiness their father never did.
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Comments
33 Comments
True and relally sad. I loved him and still do. HE will always be, just Micheal, to me.
Posted by Kakes | 18.07.09, 22:00 GMT
I to felt sad and sickened when i read of the abuse Michael & his siblings endured as children..where was there Mom during this time? why didn't she intercede or go to the authorities? do something..if she gets custody of her sons kids what guarantee is there that it won't happen again...Joe Jackson is only interested in the money no more no less..i hope that Janet Jackson gets custody.
Posted by angie | 17.07.09, 19:00 GMT
Sue me? Well, I don't think I have enough money to keep the Jackson family in the style to which they have become accustomed, sadly.
What I said was, that I did not think any pop song, no matter how amazing, was worth all the pain and suffering Michael Jackson may have endured. I still believe that.
The surgery and the shopping always seemed excessive to me. Now that I know he was addicted to painkillers, it all starts to make sense. He was perhaps using these things to avoid or subdue his inner turmoil.
Yes, the poor man loved his children. It's such a shame they may not have a loving mother to replace him with now. I hope they can help each other to grieve for Michael.
Thank-you for your comments.
Posted by Sharon Owens | 17.07.09, 16:42 GMT
I still remember that sometime in 1987 there was a concert held in LA, California. It was "Michael Jackson." Some of my friend left Chico early in the morning for the MJ concert... It was a quite night.
I feel very sorry for him as I read through his life... Now he is not here anymore...and nobody will ever disturb him.
God has sent us a very special man... for some reasons, MJ has give us something :
1. whatever your skin colour...we are all equal...He could prove that people are biased when it come to ethnic background or races. After his skin color changed, more people liked him...
2. The inner sight of us is very difficult to see by others. lots of people are prejudiced, greedy, stingy and hypocrite.
Posted by maznah | 17.07.09, 16:19 GMT
Basically I don't understand how come its the same media that played judge,jury and prosecuter when MJ was alive to the point the poor guy became a recluse. Now its this same media that's tracking how far all those things that were said should be taken as truth. Personally I feel MJ was just too naive and everyone took advantage of him. The least that these accusers and Martin Bashir can do now is apologise to his family. All the plastic surgeries that he did was for him a necessity and it should'nt even be anyone's business to question. If only everyone had shown all this love earlier instead of sidelining him as a freak, I daresay he would still be alive and giving his best to music. What we failed to appreciate God has decided to give him something better. R.I.P, MJ You're the Best.
Posted by kamaljit | 17.07.09, 06:40 GMT
Michael was a Musical God. There is no debating that, all that do are fools! Im glad to see the author has delved depper into MJ's life and seen what so many ignorant people fail to see, a tortured soul, forget the money and fame and speculation, this guy was a genius and a warmhearted kind soul who was used, abused and persecuted, he never abused anyone, why some people insist he did is just beyond me, those people are the enemy, the epitome of monkey see monkey do, bullies and losers, the evil that is most of the human race including Joe Jackson.
Posted by CK | 17.07.09, 04:57 GMT
Please don't forget that Micheal Jackson's children must have given him an enormous amount of happiness so it is not true to say he became more and more lonely. The children appear to have flourished from having such a wonderful father and this must have given him a lot of love in his final years that came too early.
Posted by Kerry | 17.07.09, 00:17 GMT
Thank you Sharon Owens, as being part of the media for apologizing (albeit too late), nonetheless, you have done what others have not, admit that you might have been wrong about Michael Jackson. It really breaks my heart that you guys could not cover and exploit the good things he did, as a balance to the bad publicity you gave him. Rest in peace, Michael. They shall reap what they sow.
Posted by Edna | 16.07.09, 23:57 GMT
MJ in heaven??? dont think so. you mj fans need to wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jim Bennett | 16.07.09, 23:42 GMT
Has anybody read the lyrics to i think was his favorite song "childhood" ? perhaps then you will understand why he did things his own way. he was not a minigod but a little boy trapped in a mans body due to the likings of joe jackson a greedy and selfish man. for the record michael was never convicted of any crime concerning children. get your facts straight before commenting on something as serious as child endangerment. to the author of this article "thank you" for seeing michael as he truly was. magnificent and wonderfully talented. may you rest in peace,michael! finally!
Posted by LINDA | 16.07.09, 21:17 GMT
I only can say that whatever he did or he did not during his life time only Michael himself knows. Whether was wrong or right nobody have to right to condemn him. Only god knows what he did and him alone. People, think that they have the right to judge him or condemn him cause he is a public figure, when in reality the one who is free of a sin through the first rock. I am not justifying his actions but i believe that no one have the right to judge others.
Posted by @@@ | 16.07.09, 20:11 GMT
There is a major poll running over at www.tinyurl.com/evilgood as to whether Michael Jackson was good or evil. Evil is currently in the lead! I think this poll is being recorded in some sort of record book, anyways, everybody go vote for good!!
Posted by Joe | 16.07.09, 19:01 GMT
I totally agree with your article, although he started taking prescription drugs after his hair caught fire to combat the intense pain, the video of this accident has just been released. As Michael was basically a shy person, is it any wonder that he wanted to live a life of his own at Neverland - you only have to watch the videos on You Tube to see the way he was mobbed wherever he went. Admittedly this is the price one has to pay for fame.
Regarding his plastic surgery Michael was born under the sign of the Virgo and like all Virgos (I am one myself) we strive for perfection, although this does not exist and are very hard on ourselves in trying to achieve it. The actions of his father are despicable and he even thinks he can make money out of his grandchildren now, which I am certain that Michael would not want. They should be allowed to grow up out of the public eye until they are old enough to decide what they want to do with their lives.
Posted by Rosalind Stead | 16.07.09, 14:31 GMT
I totally agree with your article, although he started taking prescription drugs after his hair caught fire to combat the intense pain, the video of this accident has just been released. As Michael was basically a shy person, is it any wonder that he wanted to live a life of his own at Neverland - you only have to watch the videos on You Tube to see the way he was mobbed wherever he went. Admittedly this is the price one has to pay for fame.
Regarding his plastic surgery Michael was born under the sign of the Virgo and like all Virgos (I am one myself) we strive for perfection, although this does not exist and are very hard on ourselves in trying to achieve it. The actions of his father are despicable and he even thinks he can make money out of his grandchildren now, which I am certain that Michael would not want. They should be allowed to grow up out of the public eye until they are old enough to decide what they want to do with their lives.
Posted by Rosalind Stead | 16.07.09, 14:27 GMT
thank you, nice post.
Posted by DN | 16.07.09, 12:24 GMT
What nonsense. If he was bullied, that does not give Jacko the right to abuse others. This is the usual drivel from the 'blame the fathers' brigade. We all are responsible for our own actions. Stop treating him like a mini god.
Posted by John from London | 16.07.09, 12:23 GMT
I agree with the previous comments of how 'it's a bit late now' to apologize and feel sympathetic towards this loss. It's refreshing to see a journalist write a column that doesn't intentionally condemn, but after previous remarks made thoughtlessly and now admitting to your ignorance, certainly doesn't make up for the fact you saw an opportunity to nod your head with the hoi polloi.
Alot of what you wrote is not new or exclusive news to the world, despite your new found insight to this case, it was already out there. In the future lets hope 'new' media will take the time to investigate what they write about before trying to guess what everyone's opinions are
Posted by J.m | 16.07.09, 09:43 GMT
THANK YOU!! What a lovely piece about Michael. I believe myself Michael became the insecure, shy obsessed man because of his fathers beatings, bullying, and god only knows what else he did. He has three beautiful children, and i pray Joe never ever gets to see or have anything to do with them. He never cared about michael as a son, he only saw $$$ signs. R.I.P. Michael, i grew up on your music and feel as though you were part of our family you will be missed forever, with love.
Posted by JANET | 16.07.09, 07:51 GMT
Sharon Owens
I have been doing lot of reading on michael . This the best and the wise i have read ...
Posted by claudine | 16.07.09, 02:57 GMT
Ms. Owens, apology accepted. It is hard to discern what is truth & what is fictional when it comes to entertainers. This man has been working literary for 45 years. He is at Peace.
I hope that that televison network didn't pay Joe Jackson for that pathetic interview.
Just curious as to why Joe Jackson has never mentioned getting his other grandchildren in the entertainment business-yet he has his eyes on MJ's kids. I trust that Michael's siblings will intervene since they have been so passive.
Posted by Rhonda | 15.07.09, 23:39 GMT
33 Comments