School band playing Michael Jackson

[recededpronunciation]

It’s been decided that the school band - a group of 11 year old boys - are going to play a Michael Jackson number at the next concert. School staff were involved in this decision.

AIBU or is this just massively inappropriate in the wake of the Leaving Neverland revelations?

[hellhavenofury]

Oh god YABVU - Snowflake springs to mind. Honestly, leave them bloody to it.

[ScreamingValenta]

It's an interesting question - is the merit of an individual's creative output intrinsically linked to their moral worth, or should the two things be regarded as completely separate?

[recededpronunciation]

I can’t imagine they’d condone them doing a Gary Glitter number or dressing up as Jimmy Savile. It just seems a very odd choice.

[ScarletBitch]

Oh fgs get a grip

[ashtrayheart]

I don’t think yabu OP.

[Oakenbeach]

YABU

Do you think we should ban Ronald Dahl books as he was racist?!

[pessimisticstateofperception]

There are hundreds people in every area of the arts with crimes in their past.

Are we supposed to never hear music, look at paintings, watch films read books or anything else ever again?

[Silversky70]

My kids were dancing to Rolf Harris! Kids party. Very misjudged imo. As a huge MJ fan, I agree with you. Poor taste after that documentary. Perhaps they'll do R Kelly too!!!

[QueenofCBA]

YANBU! How prepared is the band for backlash from parents?

[KennDodd]

If he was still alive and getting royalties from this I'd think twice. He's not though, he's dead. If royalties are paid they'll go to his estate, his children (?) His children are completely innocent so personally I would have no problem with them benefiting.

[MeredithGrey1]

It's an odd choice, mainly because you'd think the teachers involved would have just wanted to avoid any potential complaints from parents. Regardless of your opinion, its pretty predictable that there may be one or two complaints, and if I were a teacher I'd probably think "oh I don't want to have to deal with that, I'll get them to play something else."

[LaCerbiatta]

YANBU. He's committed the most horrendous, damaging, repulsive crime. Hardly the same as being racist.

I know I'm not consistent but for example I'm happy to carry on watching Roman Polanski's films, but what MJ was just too much. He's banned in our house.

[Oakenbeach]

I think there may be an issue where the musician/artist is still alive and benefitting from the royalties such as Rolf Harris.. but MJ is dead.

[recededpronunciation]

If a group of adults play his stuff then that’s one thing. I like his music but find it quite hard to listen to now. But ten year old boys? The same age as those he is alleged to have groomed and abused?

[NowtSalamander]

I think this is utterly disrespectful to the voices of victims and they are the ones we should be listening to at the moment. I’m not saying never play him again but this is the wrong time.

[hellhavenofury]

@recededpronunciation correct.. 'alleged' - I doubt the kids will be thinking 'ooh I shouldn't be playing to this because of MJ' - I doubt they will give a crap at all.

[recededpronunciation]

At least one of them has questioned whether it is appropriate.

[TokyoSushi]

YABU and 'that parent' DD did an MJ mix in her dancrcshiw yesterday, it was amazing!

[TokyoSushi]

**Dance show

[Cheeeeislifenow]

Yanbu regardless of personal opinion, considering that the school would think some parents might not like it, it's foolish.

[RomanyQueen1]

YANBU we don't hear Jonathon thingy, or the one who abused the baby, or gary Glitter.
MJ was really no better ito musical ability.

[user1494055864]

OP I would contact the school and say its massively inappropriate.

[FullOfJellyBeans]

It's not like he'll be benefiting in any way. They're just doing it because they like the song.

[sweeneytoddsrazor]

Surely the word alleged is a big difference between Gary Glitter, Ian Watkins and MJ.