Usable Insight – Michael Jackson, Not Guilty; You and Me, Guilty
When you go from somebody to anybody,
it’s the same as being nobody.
Imagine then what it’s like to go from an idol to a freak.
I wonder what the toll on someone’s peace of mind, subsequent stress level and need to take meds to deal with it would be when a world that used to idolize you ridicules you as a screwball.
In Hamlet Shakespeare wrote that: “The lady doth protest too much.” It’s understandable that the untimely death of the “King of Pop” would generate such an emotional reaction since Michael Jackson’s life, accomplishments and setbacks have occurred alongside our own. I just wonder how much of the outpouring that we see and that we may feel coming from within ourselves is fueled by a touch of guilt that maybe our laughing and parodying of him over the past decade may have contributed to what finally made his heart give out.
Whatever the case, it appears that his memory will be less about the person whom we felt embarrassed for and more about the superstar who “thrilled” us for so long.
So long Michael. May you rest in peace and I hope that when you run into Elvis and Frank Sinatra you’re jammin away.
Also: Will Michael Jackson be loved for who he once was or not?
June 29th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Dr. Goulston who is responsible for making Michael Jackson appear as a screwball? Certainly Michael Jackson played a significant role. We live in a society where you are innocent until proven guilty. This also means that some who are guilty might get away with it because of lack of evidence, not because they are not guilty of what they have been accused of. I believe as the saying goes, “where there is smoke there is fire.” Especially if it occurs many times. I don’t feel any guilt over this Michael Jackson’s death. I do think its a tragedy.
Maybe we should examine what impact the pressures of being a child star can have on a person. I have never had the impression that Hollywood is looking out for the best interests of their child stars.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:01 am
It seems to me you’re letting Michael be a victim – a role he seemed to play very well. Denial is not a river in Africa; he chose his path that led to his destruction. It is sad, tragic, hopefully others will learn, but there can be no learning without personal responsibility like the 12 Steps helps us embrace.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Dr. Goulston,
Thank you for an observation that should make most readers re-evaluate their view of Michael Jackson. I believe for those of us who have always appreciated him, his talent and what he gave to the world there will be no guilt, only sadness at the loss and at not experiencing the concert series that has had such positive early commentary.
For those of us who liked Jackson but were not overtly “fanatic” in our appreciation, there may be some guilt over comments made and judgments imposed over his illness.
For those of us who are simply frightened about anyone or anything outside of our own limited experience and who actively contribute to the stigmatization of the mentally ill, the enlightened are stuck with continuing to try to educate. I strongly suspect that this latter group is not burdened by guilt.
Still trying to get out of my own way.
jim
June 29th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Dr. Mark: I admire your empathy. I also believe a cigar is sometimes a cigar, and people who are far off the grid of “normal” behavior attract and perhaps deserve names like “freak” and “wacko”. Jackson’s behavior was fed upon and ballooned by the media, but the initial actions (sleepovers with boys, etc.)would cause most people to avoid or prosecute him if he were not famous and wealthy.
Which brings up the question, why do we think artists should be normal or healthy in any way? Picasso treated women badly, Mel Gibson’s life is a train wreck, and the list of actors and singers today who are ugly in public and private would fill the Library of Congress. I think we should appreciate their work on its own terms, and leave the details of their personal lives to the media grind.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Dr Mark: Respectfully, I have to disagree with you when you state that “…his memory will be less about the person whom we felt embarrassed for and more about the superstar who “thrilled” us for so long”. So long as the media continues to focus on the negative (i.e., Michael Jackson’s behavior) and fails to accenuate the positive (i.e., Michael Jackson’s musical legacy), we will continue to get the same type of coverage, no matter who the celebrity is. It’s what the public wants, right?
July 6th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I got to know Michael as a friend. That friendship was the outgrowth of his great love for the creations of Disney and specifically projects that I had been involved with. Away from prying eyes, Michael was like an inquisitive child with a sense of innocence that was astonishingly sincere. Michael seemed to be the embodiment of “Josh”, the character Tom Hanks brought to life in the movie “Big”.
The circus that Michael grew up under, fused with a restrictive religious upbringing that denied many traditional childhood celebrations. The results created a very unique individual who would spend a lifetime trying to capture a second chance at childhood. That obsession became the cauldron that would conger both the brilliant talent, and captivate the world.
For good or bad, the rest of us must live in a world of set rules and behaviors in order to survive. Imagine for a moment controlling your world with the mind of a child having the means to be denied nothing. Such a child would quickly spin out of control.
At the end of “Big” Josh realizes he is not equipped to continue as a superstar man/child in the cut throat world of adults. He makes a wish and instantly returns to the controlled environment of being 12 years old. If real life were that easy Michael’s story might have ended differently, but we would have been denied the byproduct of his unique perspective. That magic will go on entertaining “normal” people forever.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog…gets solved properly asap.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pm
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN MICHEAL YOU’RE WITHIN OUR HEARTS FOR EVER I LOVE YOU’REM MUSIC