AIBU to be shocked by public celebration of Michael Jackson?

[2021x]

Now the MJ film is out my social media feed is flooded with people doing the dances and talking about the movie etc. My local cinema is holding special events and screenings.

I personally have no doubt that he was a predatory paedophile. All the signs are there, especially how he talks about how he would never hurt a child and sharing a bed with them is the "most loving thing you can do in the world". He manipulated the world into thinking he had a "child-like persona" but was able to manage a music career worth millions... which someone who is naive would never be able to manage.

I also do not judge people who enjoy his music. It was very popular at the time, and would be associated with all types nostaligic memories. I listen to problematic artists all the time, but I don't pretend that they weren't abusive.

AIBU to be astounded that any business/media outlet would be seen dead even associating with him let alone celebrating such a horrifically abusive man.

And he abused animals yet he’s not defined by his abusive nature at all.

I Won’t watch or listen to anything to do with him. I’m surprised I’m in the minority

I agree, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth as well. I believed those boys who made the allegations and was pretty convinced by that documentary. The only reason he hasn’t been found guilty is because he’s dead. I certainly don’t think he should be celebrated.

I agree. Though I was talking to my hairdresser about it. She’s much younger than I am and she said she thinks people misunderstood him… I said I don’t listen to his music anymore.

The lawyer was a wierdo but simply doing his job.

The childlike thing really annoys me though, he was childlike in many ways, more emotionally stunted as I prefer to say. Fine

But we dont give the same excuse of a child abuser who themselves has got the developmental age of a child, but who is an adult, someone with very low IQ, someone with LD. Adult men with learning needs, developmental delays also abuse children, we dont say 'oh, he's misunderstood'. If they have capacity, which they still can have despite having a low IQ, they'll be prosecuted as normal.

Not related but I’ve read a few articles saying he was possibly autistic or neurodivergent. His preference to animals over humans (his pets bubbles and a pet llama) and social awkwardness as well as methodical focus on choreography and musical composition. However, some argue that his child-like behaviour and characteristics were a trauma repose.

Very likely a combination. I thought the same about ADHD and ASD when watching the documentaries, the obsessive nature, the sensory issues, the fixations and focus, the semi mania or hypervigilance, the grandiosity. The huge collections of things he then got completely bored with, conversely the repetitions in his life, clothing, movements. He looked like someone who barely ate as well.

Also Lisa Marie Presley, what on earth was she thinking.

It gave her some publicity....
But at what cost?

I’m old enough to have been a preteen/teenager when the Jackson 5 came on the scene and the joy they brought with it. I’ll never forget them for making me brave enough to find my voice and express what I’d been silently thinking even at that young age. My life would never have been as rich as it has been if it wasn’t for the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson. I won’t be going to see the film and I think as I’m getting older I’m just letting the music fade out of my life because of everything that transpired but nothing will ever change the fact they also helped make me who I am today.

I didn’t know about some of the things you’ve mentioned.
I agree with you about Bowie and Depp, along with Micheal Jackson I try to avoid there movies/songs.

Yes, I can’t understand the public celebration of MJ either.

We live in a very strange world where consistency in dealing with the poor behaviour of others is very lacking.

In recent times (connected to behaviour and not linked to being a paedophile)
Scott Mills - cancelled
Philip Schofield - cancelled
Andrew Windsor - cancelled
Peter Mandlesson - cancelled

Michael Jackson - reinvented and being celebrated
Donald Trump - unchallenged (even by Guiffre’s family)

Why the difference?

I don't think he did prefer animals to humans, it was little boys he had in his bed every night and going by the families accounts, even if you think he didn't sexually abuse those boys he would build relationships with the whole family and act like they were all his family so from that perspective it sounds like he really valued humans.

People can respond differently to trauma but this would be a highly, highly abnormal response, he had his own children if he just wanted to protect children and relive his childhood with them, why would he pluck boys out of random families to do it with?

Can't believe it's still up. Blatant antisemitism and conspiracy.

@kkloo
yes im just referencing observations of his characteristics and mannerisms. Lots of people saying about the ‘child like personality’.

That part was reshot because the settlement with Jordy Chandler had a stipulation that he couldn't be immortalised on film or something so they had to remove anything about Jordy or his family from the film.

I will add it to the list of excuses.

Oh I will add it too the list.

We shouldn’t talk about why a paedophile is getting a new film because the crimes should have been investigated at the time

MJ always made me feel uneasy, even as a child way before the allegations & court case. He was absolutely a paedophile & that in no way compares to the crimes of some of the other celebs you are mentioning.

Was Johnny Depp abusive? Yes, probably. But in an adult relationship where the other adult was equally as abusive. Totally different kettle of fish.

I dont think its an excuse, people (me) have noticed he has a huge strong number of ND traits. Its not the reason he is sexually attracted to children, its the reason for his childlike or odd persona though. In fact black and white rigid thinking is possibly why he wasnt willing to see his behaviour as inappopriate, he thought he was right and entitled to do what he wanted.

That’s absolute bollocks. I have a ND family & everyone was more mature than their age from childhood. Nobody would ever hurt another human being & all most definitely know right from wrong.

I hate ASD being used as an excuse for criminal activity. A large percentage of the world is on the spectrum so of course some are wrong uns. But their ND has fuck all to do with that.

That whole 'childlike' thing was a fucking act.

I think the fact that he was acquitted of sex crimes against children factors into people’s opinions, too. The accusers, or at least some of them, had their day in court and a jury returned with “not guilty” verdicts on all the charges. A lot of celebrities accused of sex crimes are either convicted or, more likely, never charged. That’s not what happened with Michael Jackson.

I’m pretty sure he was a pedophile, but I understand why his acquittal makes a difference to some people.

I dont think it was an act at all. He was a very complex character and was incredibly emotionally stunted. Thats why he connected to children so well because he didnt have the capacity to have adult, equal, reciprocal relationships with his peers. Didnt have friends exactly did he.

Adults who are emotionally inept are usually 'good' with kids. Putting good in quote marks obviously!!!

I think your problem OP is the "I for one am sure."

Lots of people aren't sure. Some don't think that was the case.

Clearly it will come off differently to people who don't have the same opinion as you about him.