A Eulogy for Michael Jackson's Childhood

Some people think Michael Jackson was a gentle creature. Others think he was a child molester. I believe both of these things.

When you're a child living in an adult world, you think you're above the law. You see things and do things regular children don't see and do. You see things and do things even your teachers and your friends' parents will never see and do. Jackson spent what would have been his childhood trying to make it in the music industry. He couldn't have known what he was missing. Not only did his father bully him into succeeding, but celebrity is exciting. Lonely and alienating, but addictive.

It was only as he got older that Jackson realized that the one thing he sacrificed was the thing he most wanted to get back.

Jackson built Neverland Ranch in an attempt to regain his childhood. The ranch was a bubble insulated from the realities and judgments of the outside world. I believe that Jackson had inappropriate relations with children at the ranch. I also believe that he didn't see anything wrong with being a grown man having relations with children because he didn't see himself as a grown man. In his head he was a child. He saw his sexual relations with those kids as one child experimenting with other children. In his head it really was innocent. I think this is why Jackson so openly talked about these sleepovers. He never meant to hurt these kids, but the sexual abuse was damaging to them, as sexual abuse always is.

Jackson was a talented musician and his music will stand on its own, but Jackson would have been better off if "I Want You Back" wasn't in our iTunes libraries. He would have been better off if Off The Wall had never come out. If no one had ever heard of Bad or Thriller. And so would some of the children who entered his life.

It turns out that nothing can compare to a mundane childhood. Missing out on the opportunity to grow up at a normal pace is something that one of the richest and most famous men in the world spent his life and fortune trying to get back. In our celebrity-obsessed culture, it is ordinary life that is extraordinary for the extraordinary who never got a chance to be ordinary.

Comments

[DH6]

If you recognize that his childhood was stolen than maybe you should have thought a little further and realized the reason he loved children so much and allowed them to stay with him is because he wanted to give them the best experiences he could that he was robbed of when he was a child. It was nothing sick or perverted, he has said himself that the children were never asked to stay in his room they'd ask him themselves if they could, and then he'd have them call their parents for permission first. Otherwise they'd stay in a guest room. The only thing he said ever took place was telling stories, milk and cookies, laughing. Just as any other friends would do. Do your research if you want to become a respected journalist. He was acquitted of the charges also but I guess you're just oblivious to that also. There wasn't any need to bring this back around especially after his passing. RIP MJ. You're loved.

[meljo]

you are so right! we love you michael

[decaballero]

I think that when it comes to such a sensitive issue as child molestation you should't judge a person, even worst a life and legacy, based on what your gut tells you and not on what was actually proven.

[KT8711]

I firmly agree that there is nothing better a mundane childhood.

My parents were hard-a$$es. When I was little, school and playing with my friends were my two jobs... I wasn't expected to be a superstar or something. My parents didn't try to make a living off me like Michael Jackson's did.

When I sometimes complain that my parents were too strict, my mom likes to say, "I stand by my results." And she's right- my brother is 27 and in his internship at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA and I'm 24 and going into my last year of law school.... and we're both happy with what we're doing. My mom was right. She always is.

[ufopp]

Way too early to tell. It remains to be seen how you do the rest of your life.

[Serena]

Wow, lots of people say these things. I really wish Jacko had had a chance to prove his innocence with a trial...oh no, wait, he DID. And was acquitted. Years ago!

[Toni Shannon]

Sadly enough people like yourself will select to remember him for the negative actions assumed he had taken.. (and mind you acquitted for)... instead of rejoicing in the things we know he has done. He will be historical remembered for many things... Now I will be the 1st to admit he made some poor choices but haven't we all at some point. And lets not forget that he was human.. and I think that is where we (as a whole) should take the blame. He borrowed on the Peter Pan philosphy and the public made him own it. We didin't treat him like others, in fact, in the history of entertainment has there been anyone so reverred and reviled at the same time.. So do us all a favor and let him rest in peace.. And let God judge him for ASSUMED indiscretions but let us rejoice in the legacy of music that we truly know he was.. in other words STOP HATING!!!!

[eva86]

I couldn't have said it any better than you just did. Godspeed MIchael.

[Terriac]

I think you very well may be right on the money. I've had the same thoughts myself.

[kejia]

I agree with you as well.