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Bury the Never Ending Myth of Jackson as Child Molester
Websites, blogs and chatrooms pulsed with garish cracks about it. Legions of commentators and news reporters snuck it in every chance they got. More than a few of Michael Jackson's fervent admirers and supporters made a dismissive reference to it. Even President Barack Obama in a cautious acknowledgment of Jackson's towering contributions to American music and artistry still made reference to the "tragedy" in Jackson's life which was a subtle nod to it. And New York Congressman Pete King skipped the niceties and flatly said it.
The "it" is the never ending myth of Jackson the child molester. It still hangs as a damning indictment that feeds the gossip mills and gives an arsenal of ammunition to Jackson detractors. This is not a small point. In the coming weeks, there will be a push to bestow official commemorative monuments, honors on and a national stamp for Jackson. The taint of scandal could doom these efforts to permanently memorialize Jackson.
The child molester myth doesn't rest on Jackson's trial and clean acquittal on multiple child abuse charges in a Santa Maria courthouse in June 2005. Only the most rabid Jackson loathers still finger point to that to taint Jackson. The myth of Jackson as child abuser rests squarely on the charge by a 13 year old boy a decade before the trial and the multi-million dollar settlement out of court. The settlement, then and now, feeds the suspicion that Jackson must have done something unsavory and probably criminal, or else why settle?
Sixteen years later, though, the facts remain unchanged. The charge that Jackson molested the boy was brought by the boy's father. In interviews the boy repeatedly denied the charges. This changed only after he was administered sodium amytal, an invasive, mind altering drug that medical experts have frowned on and courts have disregarded in witness testimony.
Prosecutors, police departments and investigators in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara spent millions of dollars, convened two grand juries and probed nearly 200 witnesses that included 30 children, who knew Jackson to try to substantiate the charge. Not a single corroborating witness was found. Nonetheless, a motley group of disgruntled Jackson's former housekeepers, attendants and bodyguards still peddled the story to any media outlet willing to shell out the cash that Jackson had engaged in child sexual wrongdoing. Not one of the charges was confirmed. Typical was this exchange between one of Jackson's attorneys and one of the accusing bodyguards under oath:
"So you don't know anything about Mr. Jackson and [the boy], do you?" "All I know is from the sworn documents that other people have sworn to."
"But other than what someone else may have said, you have no firsthand knowledge about Mr. Jackson and [the boy], do you?""That's correct."
"Have you spoken to a child who has ever told you that Mr. Jackson did anything improper with the child?"
"No."
"Where did you get your impressions about Jackson's behavior?"
"Just what I've been hearing in the media and what I've experienced with my own eyes."
"Okay. That's the point. You experienced nothing with your own eyes, did you?"
"That's right, nothing."
When asked at the time about the charges against Jackson, child behavior experts and psychiatrists nearly all agreed that he did not fit the profile of a pedophile. They agreed that the disorder is progressive and there are generally not one but a trail of victims.
The myth of Jackson as child molester never hinged on evidence or testimony to substantiate it, but solely on the settlement. Why then did Jackson agree to it?
No charge stirs more disgust, revulsion, and pricks more emotional hot buttons than the charge of child molestation. The accusation stamps the Scarlet letter of doubt, suspicion, shame and guilt on the accused. The accused can never fully expunge it. There is simply no defense against it. Under the hyper intense media glare and spotlight that Jackson remained under, the allegation no mater how bogus would have been endless fodder for the public gossip mill. This would have wreaked irreparable damage on Jackson's ever shifting musical career and personal life.
A trial in Los Angeles in the racially charged backdrop of the Rodney King beating, the L.A. riots, and pulsating racial tensions in the mid-1990s would have been risky business. A trial in staid, upscale, and majority white, Santa Barbara County would have been even more risky.
Jackson and his attorneys knew that when it came to the charge of child molestation the presumption of innocence, or even actual innocence, is tossed out the window. Though Jackson did nothing wrong, a trial would have left him, his reputation and his career in shambles. The settlement was the only pragmatic, logical and legal way to end the sordid issue.
The settlement under extreme duress must not sully his name and place as an honored American icon. The myth of Jackson as child molester must finally be buried.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His weekly radio show, "The Hutchinson Report" can be heard on weekly in Los Angeles on KTYM Radio 1460 AM and nationally on blogtalkradio.com
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I appreciate the objectivity of your blog. It is difficult to find clarity around Michael Jackson's life amidst the theories, rumors, and opinions circulating. I appreciate that you pointed out facts in the mire of fiction around this public figure. It is probably as close as we will get to the the truth, which will vary based on the subjective experience of any person actually involved, including Michael Jackson himself.
Michael Jackson's public conduct and behavior perpetuated this allege myth. It is not appropriate or normal for an adult male to "want" to share his bed with children. Anyone whose innocently laid in the bed with a sleeping child knows its not fun! Kids sleep wild; they swing, kick and have no boundaries or respect for "their side" of the bed. That's how most kids sleep. If they've had a bottle of water or juice before bed look out. There is no fun sleeping with kids UNLESS there is a twisted agenda. It makes me disgusted to think MJ was a pedophile who used the world as a stage & audience to do it. After the first trial a man of wise judgment would have STOPPED giving the appearance of inappropriate behavior with young fair skinned boys. All the parents who exposed their sons to MJ knowing the possibility of a predatory sexual tendency existed, shame on them for positioning their boys for proposition and pay off. If true, shame on MJ. I guess his reputation wasn't worth the cost of a fight/trial. He chose to "cash out" his accusers again and again instead of fighting for his good name. The lingering question of innocence or guilt underminds him anyway. Might as well (if innocent) fought the accusers instead of making them millionaires and still having his integrity questioned. He was found not guilty at the last trial but never innocent.
You cannot be found "innocent"...it's either guilty or not guilty. I tend to think that there was no abuse. If so, why did the hundreds or thousands of kids who visited him NOT make accusations? Pedophiles are pretty consistent.
When they were little, there were a lot of times that my daughters slept with me and yeah, once got thrown up on in the middle of the night. Fun, NOT. On a few occasions, I let them go camping with another family and I knew the parents and all the kids would share a tent. No problem.
Parents do lots of things with their children that are totally appropriate and acceptable.
However, the same things being done with or to children to whom you are NOT a parent is not always acceptable, appropriate, or Legal.
MJ is wholly responsible for all the suspicions surrounding this child molestation issue.
There was no excuse for his actions after the first allegation. To continually sleep in the same bed as (several) youngsters, to invite them to his home unsupervised, and to openly discuss these 'eccentricities' in public interviews on TV, did him more damage than any reporter, gossip columnist, or paparazzi anywhere at any time.
Face it, MJ was not 'right in the head'. Tortured soul, sensitive artist, product of child abuse himself, or whatever other reason or excuse one wants to conjure up... HIS ACTIONS spoke louder than anyone else's words.
I wasn't going to comment on this, but then it bugged me.... so....
" If so, why did the hundreds or thousands of kids who visited him NOT make accusations? Pedophiles are pretty consistent."
Rapists are pretty consistent too. (they have their preferred "type"). So would you dismiss a rape victim's story because well, 15 other women knew that man and spent time around him and weren't raped by him... so she must be lying?
Sorry. Your comment / argument for MJ's innocence is completely without merit.
Time heals all wounds; I am confident there will come a day where Michael's life work will be given the respect it deserves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F166o1QO6Y8
Reading the vast majority of fan comments, I'm reminded of John F. Kennedy's poignant remark:
"We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."
A very persuasive post that will probably change few minds.
He paid tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits. That's an admission of guilt.
It was just one lawsuit. And I disagree.
Michael Jackson's behavior may have been bizarre or inappropriate but the real question is why would any parent allow their child to spend "alone time" with a clearly eccentric man?By all accounts Jackson would become irrationally upset if anyone even suggested that he should not be engaging in such activities.People like puppies and kittens because they're cute toylike creatures to be played with.Jackson seems to have liked children for the same reason.There's no proof Jackson sexuelly molested children outside of third hand accounts and people making accusations in hopes of financial reward.
Michael said himself that it was the greatest act of love to share your bed with a child. Whatever did or didnt happen, we will never know. No matter who you are, a middle aged man spooning a child is inappropriate. Was he eccentric? Yes. Were his actions completely innocent, maybe that was yes, too. But as a society how can we draw a line at someone who is eccentric but famous, and not the neighbor next door? Would you be upset if your preadolescent son or daughter slept in their Father's friends bed at a sleep over? Maybe that would be a yes, too.
Where did you hear about him "spooning" with a child?
You have a vivid imagination albeit devoid of fact. However, why did your mind automatically create spooning out of thin air?
Ok leaving the spooning comment aside, the poster makes quite a relevant point.
"Would you be upset if your preadolescent son or daughter slept in their Father's friends bed at a sleep over?"
I think we all know every (responsible) parents answer to that. It's a big fat YES I WOULD! But because Michael enjoyed fame, his eccentricities should somehow be ignored? I don't buy it. I'm not saying he ever abused a child but it is extremely odd for a grown man to have children with no relation to him sleeping in their bed. I could even go as far as to understand if say, he had kids over and their was a crazy storm and kids were frightened and ran to the "grown up" to sleep in their bed for protection. But this wasn't the case with MJ. As talented as he was we cannot simply ignore how extremely, well, dysfunctional his personal life was. That may have been a product of never having a "real" personal life, but it is what it is, and shouldn't be swept under the rug.
The latest...I subscribe to only one mag "The Week " , not cheap. Came yesterday, instead of Obit. they give a page to , it was on "Talking Points" saying..Jackson ; Are we mourning a monster?
Say what you will, but it is needless to say, my subscription will not be renewed .
Nothing was written about his talent , it was only about the dark side of heresay and bottomfeeding....
Life is short, most of us would like to enjoy the music than spend our time on digging dirt.
Since it was "needless to say", why did you say it?
Johnny, don't be that guy. No one likes that guy.
HuffPost's Pick
Don't forget the tabloid media that grew even larger from the "reporting." The lingering myth gave media a ratings boost and an air of superiority, frankly that feed the tabloids. Who wants to hear that he "was a wonderful person" that's repeated by people who actually know him?? And notice there is no serious coverage of his acquittal without including a good dose of innuendo.
Neither do I recall hearing any serious discussion about his humanitarian work accomplished over his lifetime that world leaders have acknowledged, not just in the last few years but for more than thirty years. Michael Jackson was loved all over the world, but shunned by his own country because of greed and/or a lack of interest in the truth. It's really sad and offensive to say the least. The world spoke loud and clear in mourning his death and celebrating his life which I think stunned many in this country. One day maybe enough of us will want to know "what the fuss" that will lead to us to learning the true life of MJ and not this made up caricature of him. He deserves much better.
Thank you!!
I appreciate your post.
No, thank YOU :-)
Thank you for this. I hope people will let the man rest in peace.
this is funny....i can't look at huffpo without someone having convicted bush/cheney et al when there hasn't even been an indictment...and according to obama there won't be any.... the jury found oj innocent also.....i guess the cops will have to start looking for the real killers now that oj is in jail....mj was guilty...period....being found innocent doesn't mean he did not do it...just that he had better lawyers and star power...judging from the posts on here i would say he had idol worship on his side as well....
read all of the evidence that was presented at the trial and you will change your mind...i did. he was innocent and i'm now sorry i believed the innuendo/sensationalism that continues to move papers and increase viewership.
A long-time supporter of HuffPost, I must agree. This week, we have seen Alex Baldwin permitted to use the site to exact revenge on someone who merely questioned his credentials as a wouldbe politician. And now this?
baldwin will never run...he will have to listen to that tape of himself screaming at his daughter over and over again...
So you are calling for a trial?
well, just take this offhand comment of MJ during the Bashir.. WHAT'S WRONG SHARING A BED ETC.. forget the full quote..
but Michael USED THE WORD.. SHARE... the magic word.. SHARE..
by the time Media repeated and commented on this inncuous comment..
it's become to.. MJ ADMIITED IT'S OK TO " SLEEP " WITH LITTLE BOYS!! which in our present society meANS.. HAVING SEX.. SOMETHING MORE MORBID..
so from SHARE.. MJ'S WORD.. it's become 'sleep'; with..
I find it so interesting how many posters at this very forum in recent days.., have written exactly this.. sleep with liitle boys! and condeming him..
He NEVER said he was IN the bed with them. Even the boy in the case said he slept in the bed while Jackson slept on the FLOOR.
In the interview, Jackson says "I slept on the floor, but even if I didn't it would be okay".
He said "not if you're a sick person or a pedophile" but as a friend.
He said it had nothing to do with sex.
And NO other kid came out and said he touched them inappropriately at all. If he were a pedophile, there would have been many.
but more than this: the other boys that the DA accused jackson of molesting either denied the charges outright or, as in the case of the 1993 boy, refused to testify at all.
I've read Maureen Orths column and I still do not believe Michael Jackson ever molested anyone. I don't know why she believes he did - other than he was truly eccentric and lived a weird life. But I think he just genuinely loved children. It's too easy to accuse someone of molestation in this country.
she got close to the boys family & lawyers-- of course, they'd be nice to her. she w as writing for VF..
I read every word she's written since the allegations. & every interview. I found her biased.,, what's more she protects the true drama & lack of character in those accusers.. why,I never trusted anything from her.
In this instance, to understnad these allegations-- the reporter must expose the true background of the accusers which GQ did to get t he full picture.
Michael Jackson was a true BLESSING TO THE WORLD,
and most of all he was a blessing to his own children.
Michael Jackson's TREASURES on Earth were his children, and
now he watches over them from Heaven.
Yes, Angels are among us.
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBuDh13TZJY&feature=related
Yes he was a true angel and an original person...not a copy cat. We will all miss him.
We need to stop allowing the media to tell us who our heroes/sheroes ought to be. None of us is perfect. We all live somewhere on the normal to abnormal scale, we do some things well and we make some bad decisions. Most of us, unlike MJ, just don't lives our lives in public view and therein lies our salvation from massive public scrutiny and ridicule.
He was just too kind and giving to the wrong people who destroyed him.
I agree, but never use the word "sheroes" again.
LOL
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