Michael Jackson: the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Ugly

Michael Jackson will be remembered - for his #1 hit album Thriller, for his music, dance, and authentic style that shaped an entire generation, for his generous contributions to over 30 charity organizations, for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for his official title as the King of Pop, for his Guinness Book of World Records recognition as the "greatest entertainer of all time," and also, less fortunately, for the repeated child sex scandals that devastated his career.

Jackson's difficult childhood, rise to fame and fortune, and then the overall decline of his career, relates very similarly to the well-known, gothic novel, Frankenstein written in 1818 by Mary W. Shelley. The novel demonstrates with gruesome detail how an innocent may be transformed into a monster if love is absent from his life. In 1993, a tearful Michael Jackson spoke openly about his abusive childhood during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He recalled his father's relentless emotional and physical abuse. None of the Jackson children were spared their father, Joseph's, violent outbursts, name-calling, beatings, belt-lashings, and disturbing mental perversions-but Michael seemed to receive the brunt of the torment. A member of the Jackson 5, Michael would be made to perform in front of his father, and every mistake he made would earn him a whipping. Michael Jackson explained to Oprah that he owed his incredible success as a performer and an artist to his father. He believed that, in a way, the discipline he learned during his youth contributed to his talent as a musician. But it didn't leave him un-scarred.

Many devoted fans write off Jackson's frequent sex scandals as more tabloid horse manure. Again and again, false information and outlandish accusations were made upon Michael Jackson, keeping him front page news for the better part of his life. Irresponsible journalists spewed such nonsense from Jackson sleeping like a vampire in a coffin of glass to preserve his youthful appearance and bleaching his skin in a shameful attempt cut ties with his African American heritage, to Jackson having bought the bones of the Elephant Man and suffering with anorexia and/or bulimia. The tall-tales surrounding Jackson's change in appearance and failing health earned him the nickname "Wacko Jacko" and so began his bad reputation. The truths behind Jackson's dramatic change of appearance, however, are not as intriguing as the lies. In the mid-1980's Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo, a disorder that breaks down cells and results in depigmentation of the skin.

Beginning in 1990, word got out that Jackson had been "sharing his bed" with the children who came to visit him at his whimsical "Neverland Ranch" children's resort. One 13-year-old boy in particular reported that he had been invited to bed with Jackson time and time again and made to "jerk himself off" while the pop sensation watched and groped. The boy's mother testified that Jackson had bullied her into allowing her son to spend time with him. She was appalled to learn about Jackson's sleeping arrangements with the children at his ranch, she recalled him yelling at her, "We're a family! Why don't you trust me?"

Jackson, apparently oblivious to the raised eyebrows, casually admitted that he welcomed many children into his bed, including the 13-year-old, and he didn't see anything wrong with it. During an interview with 60 Minutes, Jackson was quoted as saying, "If you're going to be a pedophile, if you're going to be a murderer, it's not a good idea..." When asked why he felt it appropriate to have the kids in his bed. Steadily, more children emerged with similar seduction and molestation accusations. In 2003 and again in 2005 Jackson stood trial. He was accused of getting the children and pre-teens drunk on wine and aroused with sexually explicit magazines. One boy had reportedly kept a diary of his encounters with Jackson- which his parents had discovered and presented as evidence. Other evidence brought before the court was Jackson's collection of homosexual pornography. Jackson refused to testify on his own behalf, and despite the evidence against him, was acquitted- though many members of the jury claimed they didn't believe his innocence. The over $20 million in settlements he paid out to the young boys who testified against him, his bizarre living accommodations at the "Neverland Ranch," and his sudden withdrawal and reclusion from the public eye left many once-devoted fans confused and hurt, asking themselves if it was fame and fortune alone that won a guilty man his freedom.

Whatever secrets Jackson kept will follow him to the grave. Michael Jackson passed away on the 25^th of June 2009 suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac arrest. He was 50.

References:
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. London. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones. 1818