Perhaps it's an 'age thing' but I don't really believe that. I'm sick of the Michael Jackson coverage! I can't watch CNN or even (gasp) FOX for the endless tributes. Yes, he was very talented. Yes he made a major impact on the music and culture scene. YES he was a troubled man who had a troubled interaction with young boys if not a proven pedophile, and I don't find that worthy of praise or note.
Why are we not talking about how that sickness affected his life and perhaps destroyed lives of those around him? Did he not use his money and fame to protect himself from punishment or help? Did he not pay off millions of dollars as hush money to various families of young boys?
I do not find this behavior worthy of praise and I resent having to turn off the news that I normally listen to in the morning while performing chores and instead have to sit and pick through the newspaper to find what ELSE is happening in the world. And yes, for me, his behavior overshadowed his talent and that I find sad, but none the less true. Not a popular view I'm sure, but there you have it.
Ciao
11 comments:
Yep - agree. I just found a place to hide until it went away.
I wrote a comment on someone's post along these lines.
Not unpopular with me, certainly!
I am completely mystified by the coverage this story has received, and like you, look about vainly to see what other important things are happening in the world.
And as for comparing his (to me fairly slender) talents with those of Mozart and Beethoven ...well, I can only shriek my disbelief, and go away.
i find myself increasingly indifferent. i was thoroughly nonplussed when i heard, and then, like you, one can't get far enough away from it. sorta like the oj simpson trial some time ago. i hated that shit too.
oh and hey, grats on your recent (?) nuptials, i have been rubbish at keeping up
Not personally a huge fan, but I think he was an amazing artist, and did make a huge contribution to popular culture (first black man on MTV, gave millions to charity, etc). Just because you find his music less enjoyable that Mozart is no reason to be snooty.
There have been a lot of great figures who were morally dubious or even reprehensible. Thomas Jefferson, for example, or Percy Shelly. That doesn't zero out their accomplishments, nor does it make their personal lives a-ok. At the time Percy Shelly may have been seen as just as "popular" as Jackson is today.
You and me both, my love. Maybe it is an age thing, but I just see it as Princess Diana all over again. Eventually it all becomes nauseating.
Have to agree with you there Lady Mac. Funny how death rehabilitates reputations, isn't it?
james
I hope you have a pillow under that rock, it looks to be a spell...
Thank you for coming by.
Moannie
Indeed. Thank you for coming by.
I Beatrice
I'm not arguing with his talent just his personal life. thank you for your comments and for coming by.
darth
Hey there buddy. Thank you for the congrats. No worries about being behind, she said running to catch up...
thank you for coming by.
scarlettscion
I agree that he made a huge professional contribution and was enormously talented - but, big but for me is his self expressed attitude toward children. Just because there are other famous men in history who were also not vilified for their misdeeds does not make it any better for me.
It's a personal issue and you, as always, make good points my love.
thank you for coming by.
Ian
I consider it a "taste" thing rather than an 'age' thing. Thank you for coming by.
jmb
Isn't that the truth! I'm not on board with speaking no ill of the dead - we learn from history no?
thank you for coming by.
I am sorry that such a great talent ended the way it did but I cannot watch all this stuff either. It is driving me to drink!
OK, Yes it is getting to the point where the constant publicity is really wearing and I for one am certainly getting fed up with it.
It must be said that he did provide a strong thread of the sound track to our lives over a number of decades and some of it was pretty popular.
I sure don't think he was what most of us would see as normal in how he grew up of behaved.
But despite that I don't remember him being convicted of being a paedophile... maybe I missed it? You gotta wonder if the chance of him being a big payday didn't influence many of the people who came in contact with him including those who made claims.
As for settling out of court. I know people who would rather pay a wrongly issued parking ticket than have to contest it.
Now people will be able to say what they please I guess.
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