I fully intended to weave Michael Jackson's death into a piece I've intended to write for a long time - about our failure as a society to fully absorb all that has been learned about mental illness and incorporate it into our understanding of our fellow human beings. For whatever reason, I'm not quite ready to write that yet, so it will have to suffice to say that I am deeply saddened not so much by MJ's death as by the factors that make his premature demise seem inevitable. Looking back at the tortured arc of his career, at the abuse and negligence of his family and friends over fifty years, and at the unbearable weight of stardom on this fragile soul - it's a wonder he made it this far.
Michael Jackson was clearly a psychotic individual - and I mean that in the medical sense, not in the derogatory way that is so often carelessly and ignorantly applied to people we don't understand. He was emotionally, sexually, and psychologically divorced from reality while stardom prevented, if not discouraged, meaningful counsel and care from reaching him. He was worshipped by those who appreciated his artistic contribution to the world, with little regard for what lie beneath. He was labeled a "freak" by those who did not. He was protected and his behavior was reinforced by those who had access to him.
As for the allegations of child abuse: We'll probably never know if Michael Jackson molested children. I'm inclined to think some very bad people used their own children to take advantage of the man. If it did happen, I'm comfortable placing a significant portion of the blame on any parent who saw fit to let their child spend the night with a man as sick as Michael Jackson. Again, medically sick...not disgusting or evil.
In the end, it literally doesn't matter whether Michael Jackson was black or white, man or woman, adult or child. All I need to know about Michael Jackson can be heard in "I'll Be There," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and "Man in the Mirror," (my three personal favorites): The purity, the genius, the individuality, and the physical manifestation of an era and a genre in one person. Perhaps we missed out on a great comeback and another burst of genius, but I think Michael is probably better off missing out on another round of fame, ridicule, wealth, abuse, adulation, and exploitation.
Rest in Peace, Michael. Rest in peace.
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