Black AND White

I shared my opinion in regards to the COVERAGE of the Michael Jackson memorial service yesterday on Twitter/Facebook... and have been called out by a few for my words.

Yes, he was a revolutionary performer and a brilliant musician... that is clear, no argument there. But the coverage, the worshiping, the millions and millions praising this man made me a bit sick to my stomach.

He was a pedophile, not some sort of martyr or hero. I can understand news coverage, but it was overdone and very much unwarranted regardless of his impact and influence - you can't pick and choose his legacy for him!

Pedophilia: The act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children.

The definition states it is more than just the physical, it is also the fantasy or mental desire. Whether proven guilty or not - which in this day and age means nothing... look at OJ and the murder case or even more recent, Donte Stallworth getting 30-days for killing a man with his car - legal judgments made can not be the basis of truth.

I'm not here to state he was guilty of the physical act, thus should be dishonored... but there IS NO SEPARATION allowed, he choose his actions and those actions blurred the line between achievement/influence in music and his personal life.

When it comes to people in general... they are who they are, you can't separate personal and professional. You can't separate (or not separate) to accommodate a legacy. For example... one can not separate Michael Jackson's musical achievements from his personal turmoil because it damages his legacy, if at the same time you combined Lance Armstrong's cancer battles with his cycling honors because it enhances his legacy.

Also for example, you can no longer base Steve McNair's legacy on what he did on the football field and in the community alone. You know have to acknowledge and take into consideration that he was married with kids, yet was 'involved' with a 20 year old women. He was taking trips with her, and had a house and car with her, a complete separate life, hidden to his wife and kids. And some think it would be appropriate to 'forget' that when analyzing the man... that's not fair or acceptable.

All are good if you only consider their good.

Don't get me wrong, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, some major... no human is above that. But most people pay a debt to society for those mistakes, he never has! Oh, and scrutiny is not a punishment. To have an opinion on Michael Jackson and get called out as if it's blasphemy is wrong. And so is ignoring facts of his life just because they don't fit your image of him.

Michael had it all... but then he turned into 'Jacko' and the collective 'we' never felt the need to hold him to the social and ethical standards of adulthood. We all get held to those standards, on a daily basis, so should he.

Most people I know were extremely disgusted with Michael Vick and his actions towards dogs, yet Michael Jackson's actions towards children, even if alleged, get dismissed from selective memory. Sorry, I personally don't get that.

And on top of that, I don't get the defense of, 'he was never found guilty' or 'people were out for his money'. Michael was a global icon, of course he was going to be taking advantage of, sued, manipulated... but not having the right people and doing the right things to remedy that is 100% his fault!

Here's an idea, again, how about we place some ethics (or even common sense) onto Micheal's decision making and stop blaming people for taking advantage of him and wanting his money. It's simple - if people think you're creepy... don't have kids sleep over at your Neverland Ranch complex, that's just obvious fuel to the fire.

He made his own bed, we all do. I just don't approve of him wanting to share it with little boys.

In the end, that's how I feel. There's a difference between popping in his CD to celebrate / remember the artist and worshiping the man for the life he lived... and that's what many turned this into. Despite his musical and entertainment prowess, this is not a man deserving the respect and admiration of millions worldwide.

* Side note: I am not comparing Michael Jackson's global impact to the sports careers of Lance Armstrong, Steve McNair, Michael Vick, Donte Stallworth... just using those as examples in the realm of 'fame'.

* Timothy