It's hard to believe that it's been over two years since the world first mourned the loss of the King of Pop. While some of his fans expressed remorse on June 25, 2009, many knew that the cost of Michael Jackson's death went far beyond his impeccable music. Although entertainment remains severely devoid of Michael's unmatched talent, perhaps even more profoundly, many charities and innocents around the planet no longer have the ability to benefit from his overwhelming generosity. And for his children and family, Michael's departure was and is felt on the deepest level as the daily battle to carry on without him continues. This week, as the involuntary manslaughter trial for Dr. Conrad Murray (his doctor at the time) gets underway, it's important to keep in mind precisely who the accused criminal is -- and who the victim was.
During my teenage years, I had the pleasure of first being introduced to Michael. Both blessed to have received mentorship and guidance from the late great Godfather of soul, James Brown, we quickly formed a kinship and bond that was virtually like family. Even though I focused on advocacy/activism and he on creating incredible music, we were on the same social and political page and worked through our respective fields to bring light to inequality wherever and whenever we viewed it. Our friendship lasted through the decades, through all of the ridiculous false accusations and through a media frenzy that tried its hardest to paint him as somehow odd or peculiar when he was only highlighting our own abnormality as a society.
In 1984, during Michael's Victory Tour, I took on the role of his community relations director. Working in such a capacity, I again witnessed the unprecedented reaction people from all walks of life had towards this man, his music and impact in the world. And whether it was openly reminding all of us to 'heal the world' or quietly giving away hundreds of millions of his own wealth to the impoverished, Michael's imprint everywhere was remarkable. And yet, many still attempted to portray him as somehow peculiar.
Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial this week. Accused of violating standards of medical care by leaving Michael unattended and failing to call 911, his defense will do whatever they can to keep him from serving jail time. They'll argue his innocence, his years of service and most importantly, they will attempt to put Michael on trial yet again. Already this week, we heard the defense argue that Michael died from a combination of tranquilizers and a surgical anesthetic he took without Murray's knowledge. Defense attorney Ed Chernoff even stated that Michael took enough prescription drugs to 'put six of you to sleep' and then somehow he self-administered Propofol (anesthetic usually used in hospitals). It is an outrageous statement compounded by the fact that it is Dr. Murray himself that stands accused of administering Propofol in excessive quantities and then leaving Michael unattended.
Great talent comes with great consequences. As an artist, when you are so intricately in touch with emotions, and think and feel on a deeper level than most, you are often viewed as an outsider when you don't conform to conventional norms. That is the double-edged sword Michael dealt with throughout his lifetime. I had the unique pleasure of getting to know him for years and working with him on a host of issues. In 2002, Michael came to our National Action Network headquarters in Harlem as we marched together to Sony Music along with hundreds of supporters to demand his right to ownership of the very masterpieces he created. And I watched as many often tried -- and of course failed -- to vilify him over and over again. As I told Michael's children during his funeral in '09, there was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with.
As the strangeness unfortunately plays out yet again in another court drama over two years after Michael's passing, let's be sure to remember precisely who is on trial here.
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Michael Jackson had a painful life , physically and mentally ,caused of false accusations and the hungry Media. It has managed to brain wash a lot of people .
From the moment MJJ began in the industry, he was a certified and annointed star. Unlike anyone before or since, he was touched with a unique gift from God that enabled him to reach everyone on this planet in a way that no one every will again. His heart was pure, his soul was blessed and unfortunately heavy was the head that wore his crown.
So many opportunists have taken advantage of this man and continue to prey on his legacy. He was not an artist ... he was a 'product' and sadly so many neglected to realize that he was a human being. I don't know what brought Conrad Murray in to MJJ's life, but the fact remains that his role was negligent and for that he needs to be punished. No matter what caused MJJ to allegedly rely on medications for escape and relief, it is clear that he carried a burden of pain, disappointment and sheer loneliness that plagued his heart for most of his life. If Murray wanted to help MJJ and he was truly his "friend", he should have known he was over his head in the true type of treatment that his patient required. Tragic.
The media's instinct always seems to follow the gutter. It is rare to read such an enlightened and factual article suh as this. Thank you for the touching insights in Michael I never tire of reading them.
Please I beg everyone to remember Conrad Murray is on trial not Michael Jackson.
However, a prime example of the unethical behavior that has presented itself in this trial is the media's presentation of the 'facts'. There are media outlets that are reporting such trivia as highlighting items such as a doll found on Mr. Jackson's bed, and developing an 'article' that is entitled, "Michael Jackson Slept with Dolls".
The ludicrous nature of such an article is reminiscent of days gone by, when Mr. Jackson was relentlessly, unfactually, and disrespectfully reported by media outlets in an effort to garner ratings through salacious headliners.
Focusing on Mr. Jackson as being a drug addict is certainly taking advantage of the mischaracterization of the superstar's tainted media reputation. The coroner's report specfically states that the condition of Mr. Jackson's organs did not reflect a person with a drug history.
It is the media coverage of this trial that needs to be addressed. Journalists/reporters have an ethical obligation to report the facts and not take advantage of a dead victim by revisiting and reusing tabloid-style tactics to sell a storyline.
This is a shameful time in history that we are living in. We need to DEMAND that our journalists/reporters be held accountable for the materials that they report.
Michael Jackson was innocent in 1993 and 2005. Both of the circumstances of those cases were answered and disproved -- emphatically -- in the 2005 trial. The wealth of evidence that supports this is literally everywhere online, in the transcripts, statements by those involved and yes, even the 1994 settlement agreement, which specifically stated the Chandlers had a right to pursue criminal proceedings -- if a case was proven to exist.
Except it never was.
Evan Chandler's extortion is a matter of fact, not supposition. It was taped and can still be heard if one looks for it. The transcript reads like a criminal plan for extortion and that is, in fact, exactly what it was. Evan's extortion was inadequately explored by the LAPD at the time.
People should also know the pictures of Jackson, explicitly did NOT match Jordan Chandler's description, and it should be more than interesting to many that Jordan refused to speak to both his parents after the falsely stated events of 1993 and in fact his father tried to attack him in a serious incident in 2005. Jordan also refused to testify in 2005.
The continued besmirching of Jackson's name during a case that is meant to be decided on the facts leading to June 25, 2009, is both cheap and without substance. In short: If you wouldn't like it done to you or your family member, don't do
Did he stop to think about how hilarious that title sounds, in light of the fact that Michael Jackson is famous for paying a kid's family off to get them to drop criminal charges against him?
I hope the jury is smart enough to figure out this BS (as opposed to that stooopid Anthony jury). Jackson paid for his mistake(s). This doctor should do so, also.
No-one said Michael Jackson isn't. But Murray's defense should tell the truth. Instead they are asking intelligent people to believe a fully sedated man somehow 1) sits up and 2) prepares a complicated injection for himself.
Seriously?