The two Michael Jacksons, remembered.
Hey, did you hear about the coup that overthrew the Honduran president?
You might have, if you visited the New York Times’ website yesterday and managed to look over past the Michael Jackson multimedia retrospective to the bottom left corner of your screen. Or perhaps if you went to the Washington Post’s site, and you ignored the coverage of the BET Awards’ Tribute to Michael Jackson and made it down the right side of the page.
I wouldn’t fault you for not hearing about it, though, if you only get your news from CNN.com, which ranked a quiz about the King of Pop over coverage of Iran and features Honduras only in a tiny link at the top of the page.
Unfortunately, while violence reigns supreme in a smallish country in Central America, our media outlets remain distracted by a far more important figure: Wacko Jacko, the man who until last week was used by the same mass media as no more than a punchline.
While it’s impossible to deny that the man’s arc gave us a mirror through which we could view our own cultural journey and obsession with fame, it seems a bit extreme to devote a Time magazine tribute issue to a man who, to the best of my knowledge, was neither a Nobel laureate nor a saint. More importantly, however, our relentless focus on the onetime Captain Eo fails to respect both the dead – Mr. Jackson, a commodity to the end – and the living, who are enduring very real injustices to which we cannot be bothered to pay attention. Let us let the man rest in peace.
“…his closest companion was a chimpanzee named Bubbles, whom, one presumes, didn’t care about his record sales.”
Michael Jackson’s legacy is certainly an enduring one, and his work deserves a level of analysis and tribute fitting one whose artistic endeavors have influenced a culture. But at a certain point, the man and the art must be separated.
Jackson lived a life notably devoid of traditional relationships, free from people who cared about him for things other than his talent and his money; from his earliest years, when he was marketed by a truly terrifying set of stage parents, his life was marked by a series of indicators suggesting that his only self-worth could come from his ability to perform and make money. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his closest companion was a chimpanzee named Bubbles, whom, one presumes, didn’t care about his record sales.
And in death, as in life, Michael Jackson is being used in a way that benefits us. One day of coverage? Understandable, and deserved. Two days allows for clarity and more solid reporting. By day three, however, coverage becomes redundant, focused increasingly on his eccentricities. Anything above three days exists less to “pay tribute” and more to draw reader traffic and sell copies. Even in death, we cannot afford him the dignity to keep his life his own.
The endless coverage of Jackson also serves as a distraction from other news – Honduras, Iran, the passage of a major climate change bill. Unlike Jackson, the people involved in these stories are often still alive. Ignoring them is not only ethically questionable, but, incidentally enough, also goes counter to the message of social consciousness and peace that many of MJ’s songs worked so hard to promote. In “Heal the World,” Jackson reminds us: There are people dying/If you care enough for the living.
So perhaps a better tribute to Michael Jackson would be to focus more on the message and let the man go. Jackson, one can only hope, would rather have had us consider the fact that we are the world, and we ought to start acting like it. “So let’s start giving,” he sang. “There’s a choice we’re making.” We owe it to him – and to the rest of the world – to make the right choice.
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“Wacko Jacko, the man who until last week was used by the same mass media as no more than a punchline.” That's the worst part of all of this – suddenly he's some kind of national hero post-mortem despite the very real problems he had (which went pretty much untreated and unpunished) while alive.
For crying out loud, our own former Presidents don't even get this much national press coverage when they die… I think the media has been paying way too much attention to MJ and should return to reporting the NEWS.
June 29, 2009 at 10:05 pmThat's because your president will never leave something to the WORLD. He will never CREATE something and will never make choices/decisions on his own.
July 6, 2009 at 4:06 amA man who changed the lives of BILLIONS around the world through MUSIC, through creation, can never get enough coverage. It was the mass-media that destroyed him, and silly accusations released by people who wanted his money. Money earned through decades of hard work.
R.I.P., Michael, you were a noble, tender soul who couldn't face the cruelty of a corrupted society all by himself.
God bless you!
i think people have done some very rude things and posted them, like the pictures for example they have cut his nose off so it see throo it. and theres a mask one. now im only ellevan iwas born 1998 in febuary 16, anyway im very ashamed of what some people have done
July 6, 2009 at 7:10 amwhat you said was cool. im heather feb 16 1998. im 11 years old in year six and go to saint bedes in red hill. anyway wat you said was lovly
July 6, 2009 at 7:21 ami cant understand every thing you just said but some of that stuff you said was a bit rude and i agree with lau
July 6, 2009 at 7:32 amthat is news
July 6, 2009 at 7:35 amummm. alex i think that you are very rude and disrespectful and u need a reality check. and personally i do not think that michael jackson did anything wrongful to any of those kids and i believe that they jus wanted to get some money. and our presidents dont get as much news time when they die because most of them really did nothing to help the world. mj gave millions to charities and he WAS THE KING OF POP (music) and he was good at wat he did. and with the baby over the balcony thing i believe that he jus wanted the world to know how proud he was that he had a new baby and if you look closely at the tape he had the baby in a good grip. so think about what u say about the dead. R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON.
July 6, 2009 at 3:46 pmAlex you need to wake up! reporting about michael Jackson is news.
July 6, 2009 at 11:09 pmLeave Michael alone. Let him rest in peace
July 7, 2009 at 12:03 pmYou say that the mass media killed him, yet you can never give him enough coverage?! Hmmm…
July 7, 2009 at 12:53 pmam pierdut un mare talent al tuturor timpurilor .o mare pierder
July 7, 2009 at 2:48 pmI think Michael J was a paedophile, and all I can say is 'aint karma a bitch'. Pity we in the West care more about a man like that, than what is happening in Afghanistan, where the ol' US of A, just sent 4000 more troops….hello!! Is there anyone sane out there? G-d I hate tinsel town. rivki
July 7, 2009 at 6:10 pmit's michael jackson dude. Yes i read about the other news going on in the world, are you too stupid not to read about other things? the point is he is an American icon. The media is allowed to pay homage to him. did you write a dumb article like this when Princess Diana passed away?
July 7, 2009 at 6:56 pmwhat does this mean:
am pierdut un mare talent al tuturor timpurilor .o mare pierder
July 7, 2009 at 10:34 pmmichael i love you sooooomucct
July 8, 2009 at 7:04 amStevie Wonder said it best. He was a Mentor of Micheal Jackson, and has an introspect into his life and the lives of so many (like me) who grew up in the 60's and 70's. June 30th, 2009 at the Montreal Jazz Festival it was laid out plainly for us. I won't try and quote it, search and you will find…
July 9, 2009 at 7:22 ami will forever live to regret that i never knew him as a person; brooke shields said he was caring, funny; now what else would a friend want in a friend?? caring, understanding and funny, and above all loving; i will always be his fan no matter what the media or the world says; him alone, his soul rests in peace; would know what kind of person he truly was; it is not fair that he is no more and negative things are still said about him; it is true what someone said: let the man go in peace……….will always love u MJ
July 9, 2009 at 1:56 pmThe traduction it's for (unknow):am pierdut un mare talent al tuturor timpurilor .o mare pierdere
July 9, 2009 at 9:04 pmthat phrase miens I lost a grast talent for the every time A great lost …(roumainan language )
Have you understand it???
I have somethings to say in reference to all the negative things that was said about Michael Jackson, for one he was a good music artist one of the best….second people are very ignorant to say some of the things that I have read and also heard he is gone to be with the lord and some people are so immature to say things about his past that was in the past let things stay in the past, it was not always what he has done or what people think that he has done we are not the judge let god handle that, it is about his legacy what he has accomplished, stop saying negative things about this person and move forward be nice!!!!
July 9, 2009 at 11:54 pmIt don't matter that he had a good grip on the baby, no one in his right mind holds a baby over a balcony, you can show people how proud u r of ur new child with out putting it in danger. Ever heard of accidents u know they do happen and he could have dropped that baby.
July 10, 2009 at 5:26 pmAnd yes he gave us alot of good music and gave alot to charity. But if you'd have ever attended any 12 step groups and listened to the results of child sexual abuse, you would know that, that is just a way to justify what he done. Good grief look at the way he dressed and always grabbing himself on stage that's not normanl, with the studded decoration on the crouch part of his pants.
YOUR AN ASSHOLE AND SHOULD BURN IN HELL. what type of human being says things about another person like the above. the man suffered enough and now PEOPLE like you are still running at the mouth about how negative of a person he was. lmao…i suppose its jealousy. of course you couldnt give poor children every where half of your whole income. so who the hell cares if he had a chimp named bubbles for a pet. what are YOU doing thats interesting besides worrying about the late Mr. Jackson. its people like you who destroyed a beautiful soul and caused him to become what he did. an insecure person. people like you make me sick you get off on destroying people. unzip your pants and look at your self for a moment hmmmm not much there is it…..so either your compensating for what you lack in some uh no MANY departments, your a true ass hole, or both. oh his name is NOT Wacko Jacko its Michael Jackson, and as for Obama he is going to do a hell of a job as president. thats 100x more that your money hungry illiterate George W. Bush did….uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh as Mr. Bush would say. the scoop what a joke…..
July 10, 2009 at 9:28 pmoh and you are late…..the thriteen year old boy that claimed Michael molested him has recently confessed that he lied……..so no one is justifying anything. he is not child molester. further more different cultures have different ways of expressing their joy for their new children….read a book, learn something, and dont speak until something educated can come out of your mouth. last but not least you need help with your grammar, so before you start judging re read the paragraph that you posted then sit in silence and think about it. oh i lied Michael made money , grabbing his croch, you made…………….., Mr. Jackson made more money, from the way he danced; sang; and dressed, you made ………………..NOTHING!!!! ps before i go normanl is spelled N-O-R-M-A-L normal…….if you decide to respond, respond with the definition of normal have a wonderful day
July 10, 2009 at 9:38 pmsadly you will……………rest in hell first class and all………so enjoy
July 10, 2009 at 9:40 pmthats crazy because i felt the exact same way….i cried so hard watching the memorial…..and the part (i think) that should have shook everyone even the people who hate him was when his daughter got up and said he was the greatest father…..i really cried i couldnt help it….i thought people should be ashamed they have destroyed these three children's lives with out any regard….what so ever…….oh and it was his brother Randy…….huh wow *speechless*
July 10, 2009 at 9:45 pmhe probably didnt considering, well who cares, look at the source who wrote the article…..LAME for crying out loud i just told a friend, now dont get me wrong the rest of the world needs to be worried about too, but if we dont give a fuck about our own people here in america why the hell should we care about those over there……….thats like saying oh my household doesnt have food but HEY!!!!!! ill go buy my neighbor some bread………………………..uh ok?????????????????????
July 10, 2009 at 9:49 pmmichael jackson is still a child of his creator giving to his parents,sibbling fo the 50 years of his exciting life.His music had deep,deep meanings that affect his perrsonnal life,that he shared with the whole entier world. michael is that love child ,who lived his famous life worrying about also giving his fans the best songs you would want to ever hear. michaels death was shoting to the world,but we all must let him rest because God isn't about no mess My heart goes out to his childrens,parents,KATHERINE,JOE,sibblings TITO,JACKIE, JERMAINE, MARLO, RANDY, REBA, LATOYA, JANET, and host of nieces and nephews,relatives,and fans.
July 10, 2009 at 11:27 pmI'm sorry that you are insensitive to all the work Micheal did to save this planet and the people in it!!! Those worried about Honduras and Iran are stiil alive but haven't done as much as Micheal has done in their whole lifetime and who know if they ever would even if they had the money. He deserves the tribute he was given. he worked hard gave the world quality entertainment and music AND SUPPORT IN MEANS OF MONEY AND FOUNDATIONS THAT ARE STILL LIVING TODAY!!!! He was a great Man! Long live men like Micheal jackson!!!
July 11, 2009 at 3:29 amLots of love, Toni
hey MICHEAL JACKSON my faviorte singer actually known as ” THE KING OF POP ” ! well when i heard of
MICHEAL JACKSON'S DEATH i was surprised that that happened so for 2 weeks i have stood crying .
so i still continue adoring micheal jackson as ” THE KING OF POP ” IN SPANISH ” EL REYE DEL POP”
RIP 1958-2009 I LOVE YOU MICHEAL JACKSON
July 11, 2009 at 7:19 amIt's because nobody wants to hear about violence all the time.
Sometimes it's nice to kick back and enjoy a great legacy.
Personally, I don't care if Honduras is wiped clean off the planet.
Selfish? probably. Do I care? Not One Bit!!@!#
July 11, 2009 at 9:46 pmSo what if he made alot of money, what have u made, and reguardless of what cultures believe in, it was a dangerous thing to hold a baby over a balcony rail, as for the definition of normal, it sure ain't u. And for ur information I know how to spell N-O-R-M-A-L, we're all only human and as for your grammar “IT SHOULD BE HE IS NOT A CHILD MOLESTER.” And for your information a person doesn't have to molest a child to do harm, can you tell me the clinical definition of child molestation? Or of sexual abuse, it is defined as anythig that makes a person uncomfortable in the way they are being touched, helt, or talked to. So maybe you should go read a few books. Maybe before you go running your mouth you should sat and listen to some of the stories of CHILDREN BEING SHOWN INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR!!!!! In groups like I have and as to how it gives them the wrong idea as to what is appropriate. And I'll speak anytime I get dam good and ready, because unless you live in Russia, this is The United States and I have the freedom to speak as I dam well please thank you.
July 11, 2009 at 10:55 pmI agree about Obama, Bush had to cheat in the first place to get into office.
July 11, 2009 at 11:03 pmI agree about Obama, Bush had to cheat in the first place to get into office.
July 11, 2009 at 11:03 pmMike is one of the greatest hero have ever seen on earth he is the the legend of both hip hop and r&b on earth
July 12, 2009 at 12:56 pmgood night mike tolly ''t'' loves u
In our daily today MJ's sister says he was murdered; and then there was
July 12, 2009 at 1:40 pman article recently on internet saying that MJ died in '87!! The guy
after that claims to be MJ……….now one cannot stop wondering can
he??
awww, Alex I am so sorry it not you getting all the multi-media attention. Now go get a life and stop whinning about MJ's roses after death ::(
July 12, 2009 at 6:13 pmI have not purchased a magazine or a paper in the past decade since the horrible alligations started about Michael…. They will not be payed by me for their lies.
July 12, 2009 at 8:06 pmI have not purchased a cd or anything alike after his death.
I believe in supporting the artist while alive, and not the greedy souls that profit after his death.
I will always love him and I’m very sad he is no longer with us.
People can say what ever they want it is Democracy that we are living in but we the people can make the decision to support it or disregard it.
Don’t feed the lying mouths.
are you made
July 13, 2009 at 1:59 ammichael jacson WE ARE ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 13, 2009 at 5:00 amWell my reply to him…………thank you for being the
July 13, 2009 at 1:29 pmjudge………..i wonder whose talking??
Well I had the nerve to responde but apparently you don't.
July 18, 2009 at 11:22 pmHave something to add?