To get DS Michael Jackson posters?

[hijklmnke]

I don't know if I'm being ridiculous.

DS is 5 and has semi-recently discovered Michael Jackson. Obsessed with his music, it's always on.

He has asked for me to get him some MJ posters to put up in his room.

I feel weird about it because of the allegations made against him.

AIBU to get them and put them up?

I'd be ok with him enjoying the music. I wouldn't encourage it, however, or buy posters which seems more about celebrating MJ the man. I'd also perhaps try to encourage him to listen to MJ in the context of listening to other performers- there are lots of other Motown artists he might like. Basically just trying to steer him gently away from an obsession with MJ personally while encouraging him to enjoy a range of music.

I also find it hard to believe a 5 year old has asked for Michael Jackson posters. If it's true then no, you shouldn't get posters of a predatory paedophile for your small child's bedroom, HTH

Why do people find it odd that a 5yo is a fan (taking out who it is). We showed our children musical artists when they were that age and they got into it. Op our kids were into watching YouTube clips of him performing etc but I wouldn’t do the poster thing no

His music is still played on mainstream radio, he is still praised in the media as the greatest pop artist of all time etc. etc.

I'm not sure about the UK.

In Ireland, his music is not played on mainstream radio any longer and this was announced by them following the documentary.

His music was amazing. But his actions were too problematic to override this & I'd dissuade any child from following him, music or otherwise. And I can't believe that a 5 yo has genuinely become such a fan, he wants a poster in his bedroom.

I agree. There are plenty of unsavoury characters in history whose work is admired. I'm so sick of all this cancel culture rubbish. People need to grow up and accept that no matter what flaws people had (or alleged flaws) it doesn't take away from the good things they've done or created. I really don't know how some people have time to actually live, they are so concerned with what others have done/are doing.

MJ is dead, let your son have some posters if he wants them.

Where would you even get the posters from?

Put it next to the Gary Glitter poster.

Which of MJ's faces does your 5 year old want posters of? There's a few to choose from.

Well because of all the allegations that he sexually abused young boys. Boys potentially your sons age. Are you comfortable with that? If you are go ahead but I wouldn’t. I’d just say they don’t do MJ posters anymore and move on, discourage it

Flaws - sexually abusing kids. I wouldn’t call that a flaw

I don’t understand why people are questioning if this is real or not, when my DD was four she saw a video of Dolly Parton (I’m a big country and western fan) and became obsessed. She asked for a picture in her room, so I got her one. It’s still up now.

MJ however, no way.

Just say no. But offer him other posters - I'm sure at that age mine were more educational anyway.

Michael Jackson was a paedophile, plain and simple. I'd just explain he was a really bad man so we don't like to listen to his music. Plenty of other music is available by non-pedophiles!

Posters of Micheal Jackson, no. Allowing him to listen to his music? Yes. By buying posters, you’re not actually separating the artist from the music by virtue of the fact that the posters have his face on them, thereby making the connection. Sort of like glorifying him as a person as well as his music.

His music on the radio can be disconnected from him as it’s not a physical representation, just a voice.

I kind of agree with the point that not everything needs to be cancelled and can still be appreciated, but I’m damn sure no parents would want Jimmy Saville’s memory resurrected with posters of him on their child’s bedroom wall where they can see his face every night, same principle IMO.

Not something I would do, definitely not. Steer him in a different direction

In Ireland, his music is not played on mainstream radio any longer and this was announced by them following the documentary.

It’s played on Today FM. I have to switch over when I hear it, I think it’s bizarre they’re still playing it.

People posting about separating the art from the artist. Having a poster of a musician literally the opposite of separating the art from the artist. Listening to the music and not considering MJ as an individual would be separating the art from the artist.

Eric Gill whose beautiful sculptures decorate the BBC and Winchester cathedral, raped his daughters when they were children and wrote about it. Nobody seems to make a fuss about that

You left out that he also raped his dog.

People have made a fuss actually. The statue was vandalised in 2022, but as the BBC love peado's so much, they're the ones that don't seem to care and in fact are having the abhorrent abusers statue, lovingly restored.

I don't think a 5 year old will be asking to have posters from MJ. When my older children were little they wanted cartoons prints like goku, Oliver and Benji, etc.

When DS was 4 he loved Michael Jackson, the is was years ago before the documentary came out. His songs are great and it always surprises me that they are still played. I would not get a poster though and would steer your DS towards something else. He has great taste in music btw. Just not in musicians!!

My five year old played MJ non stop for about 3 months and has now moved on to different songs he likes. I don't mind him listening to the songs but I wouldn't put posters up of anything really because his tastes change like the wind! Your son will probably like something different in a few months and the problem will go away.

I would get the posters, he's five, in another year he'll probably have moved on to something else

I'd recommend Queen, both my sons liked their music from a really young age.

Culturally misappropriated?

Sure. There must be stacks of didgeridoo players on here who are currently clapping you for standing up for them and the racism directed towards them 👏

Paul Gaugin left his wife and five children to sleep with 14 year olds in Polynesia, his paintings are worth millions.
If you don’t separate the art from the artist you’d go mad.

But surely as a parent of a 5 year old you decide what they have access to, regardless of why.