In 2005, Michael Jackson was in a fight for his life. Now in 2011, Michael is in a fight for his death—to finally rest in peace. There is also a battle for his legacy, and for not unearthing him yet one more time—to become fodder for more tabloid media bullying. What other human being has ever, in the history of this planet, been so bullied—with those who have chosen to torment him a year and a half after his passing— following him into his grave? Discovery Channel just recently climbed aboard that same gravy train with their jaded attempt to lure viewers using his name—for a macabre offering of his mock autopsy.
Never before has anyone so innocent and so filled with a unique agape love, generosity and empathy for humanity—been so tortured. Not since the New Testament. Nor has any first family been so bullied by a spirit of meanness that is unparalleled and never-ending—not the Kennedys, not the royals, not even the Gottis. Even the modern “old money” families with inherited wealth have never been so publicly scrutinized and vilified because of their wealth and visibility.
America’s black “first family” began their rise to fame in a tiny little house in Gary Indiana that is the size of a two car garage. They were America’s black first family for decades before the Obamas moved into that American, and African American distinction. The Jacksons helped to make the Obamas possible. Their achievements are no less than historical and history-making. But never has a clan been so slapped around by life, its circumstance and the media. They too, have paid heavy dues and been victims of fame instead of being celebrated for their contributions to the culture and its evolution. In the early years, black entertainers and families were battered about by overt and violent racism. No family has been dealt a harder hand to hold. Racism in America was not their fault nor were they responsible for it or for mitigating it. But the Jacksons masterfully played their hand as well as they could having no precedent and no cultural rule book. It seems they are still being asked to anty up for a cult and culture that is better but still broken. No matter what, it’s a heavy price.
Like every family, the closet holds skeletons and secrets, joys and sorrows, malfunctions and dysfunctions. As in all complex family systems there are combinations of the heroes, the anchors, the divas, the renegades, the drama queens and usually the one person with the glue that holds them together. For the Jacksons, that person appears to be Katherine. Today we watch the matriarch of the black first family in America sit in a courtroom and listen to a doctor who is supposed to be a healer under oath to first “do no harm” and who was supposed to safeguard her son’s life. She listens to a unconscionable tale of what happened the fateful day her boy, Michael, slipped from her mother-arms forever. Before he was “Michael Jackson” he was her baby. He once fit in the crook of her arm.
Katherine Jackson watched as they bullied her son all his life and today, after he is gone, she must hear it yet again. She has to listen to the heartbreaking events leading to her son’s death and the impossible circumstances that caused it. She has to hear that even while his condition was unknown, paparazzi and fame seekers hindered her son’s final journey—to the hospital. As the ambulance driver tried to navigate out of the driveway without running over anyone, a photographer held the lens of his camera against the glass of the ambulance to get the “money shot” for the tabloids. This information comes on the heels of Discovery Channel’s debacle of filming and offering an actual mock autopsy for consumption and the audiences’ viewing pleasure. Has Katherine et al, taken a breath between tragedies?
Never in modern times has an evolutionary visionary person been so persecuted or his family had to endure so much heartache. How Katherine Jackson is still vertical is a mystery. And now she is forced to listen to the defense attorney for the physician who allowed for her son’s death—whether deliberately or accidentally, call her dead son yet more names. And she has to endure this after a lifetime of 80 years listening to the uninformed, unscrupulous and the sycophants who conscripted her child and his name for every conceivable scheme and madness known to man. Michael Jackson must have gotten his stamina from his mother. How he stood and withstood it all those years tells me more silently about the man than any tabloid horror story or defense attorney’s speech about a man he doesn’t know and never met.
And the news flowing from the courtroom, spills into the culture from the same industry that hounded Lady Diana into her early grave, and now dines on the bones of an icon. And in attendance also are, “the ladies who lunch” as they are called behind their backs by legitimate journalists who view them as the scourge of their industry—those who made their reputations and living feeding off Michael Jackson while spewing lies, innuendo, salacious stories and “biographies.” They are back to dine yet again. There is a name for that and for creatures who do it.
Mainstream media has been uncharacteristically and mysteriously respectful in the last few days while tabloid TV and print has incredulously– commented about the tie worn by the accused and the outfit worn by the victim’s sister, Janet who is a superstar in her own right. The tabloids reported too, that because his paisley tie turned heads away, the doctor who attended Michael Jackson while he died in his care, went out and bought a replacement tie—why? The better to look during photo ops? Do some covering this pre-trial hearing realize someone’s father, son, brother and hero to millions and generations is dead? Was this cultural icon so dehumanized by the very culture he sought to soften and transform into humanitarians and planetary stewards with his lyrics that his humanity is completely lost? Is this culture so cynical and so far gone that sound bites for breaking news in a trial where someone is dead, has devolved to “runway fashions?”
Michael Jackson is the poster boy for bullying—the worldwide poster boy. His fans are the enlightened ones about this and not so the population at large. They know the real man and they are not delusional. The heartbreak for them is that someone with such internal goodness and innocence could be tortured so exquisitely, for so long and with such a paradoxical disconnect, by those who can find no goodness or innocence within themselves. One cannot see something so huge in someone else that does not exist in full measure within self. It’s called projection and everyone does it. Those who shouted the loudest and most about darkness within Michael Jackson—were making a public confession about themselves. “Be careful who you love” indeed but “be even more careful whom you call names” for you are confessing your own sins. Those who called Michael dark things are not in a position to look in the mirror for the darkness reflected back would blind and silence them forever. They cannot afford to look there or to stop chasing Michael because if they stop, they would have to confront themselves and their own black hearts that so tortured him. They continue running after Michael because they are running for their lives—from themselves. That’s an infinity loop– called “hell.” Those who tell you by comments and inference that—that is where Michael is now, are giving you coordinates for their own– not future– but current, location.
Michael’s posthumous song “Breaking News” is Michael speaking from the grave about what put him there. The world was complacent before as they watched this man and his life be bullied to an early ending. The long term fans watched it all happen over decades helpless to change it or impact the media. That is no longer true. There is power in voice. There is power in coming together as one voice. You did and we will. There was one other who at the garden of his undoing asked those who loved him to stay awake and be watchful. But they fell asleep. This time when they are “breaking the news” there are those who will stay awake; and they will be watching.
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If you would like clarification of elements of the trial and for information and resources about Michael Jackson refer to or visit: www.mjmessage.com You will find a new feature called “Medical Commentary”
19 Comments
Dear Barbara, It thrills me a lot. Why can’t the media not finish all this trash? I am praying, I am so sad about Michael’s family, his children…. Oh my god, please, please help Michael’s family; they need respect and love and peace… I am most angry about… [ those who surrounded Michael and intentionally harmed him.] I am deeply ashamed for Amerika. God Bless you. Love, Eva Maria.
“‘Those who called Michael dark things are not in a position to look in the mirror for the darkness reflected back would blind and silence them forever. They cannot afford to look there or to stop chasing Michael because if they stop, they would have to confront themselves and their own black hearts that so tortured him. They continue running after Michael because they are running for their lives—from themselves. That’s an infinity loop– called “hell.'” GENIUS. I am weeping. Soon after Michael’s death I began stating on boards and in conversations that Michael was the poster boy for being bullied to death – and met with some puzzlement, skepticism, even derision for saying so. I confess to a feeling of vindication when such an extraordinary writer confirms this TRUTH. Reverend Barbara you are a great, great Writer and a great, great Soul. Of COURSE you are a spokesperson for this Man of Light. Michael Jackson only works with the best! This essay is magnificent, you have nailed the truth yet again and I wish for these writings on Inner Michael to be in a book on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Yes, there are many ‘watching’. Intelligent, knowing people who are angry and tired of one way/sideways and sometimes round about ways of insulting and demeaning Mr. Jackson. We teach our children now about bullying, it’s effects on others and the power of intervention. Now, words of attack on a good man’s character will be and are now being answered with words speaking truth. The silence is over and solidarity in purpose is at hand. So, to ‘the ladies who lunch’ and others with that darkness in their pens, be aware that you will be confronted on lies and perpetuation of slander. Thank you, Rev. Kaufmann.
I am a genius because I agreed with you? Just in case you missed it, Gertrude, this too is a projection. ~She said grinning. B.
Thank you Rev. Kaufmann! Love and gratitude. 🙂
You are a genius for what you said in the quote about hell, and for everything you said in this article. I cried with joy at how boldly and eloquently you’ve spoken the truth. While I have no doubt I am full of projection (God knows Ive been accused of worse), I stand by the “G” word when describing your work. ~ she said, grinning back.
I was looking for a new post from you. I realized that reading your postings are about my only solace this week from the onslaught regarding the Trial, the words in commentaries and on twitter – so mean and nasty and now today, where I live, a violence took place and it is so sad – too many lost lives. I see a glimmer of light in the discussion taking place with regard to the violent talk in politics and how that needs to change. Then I go back and look at what happened to Michael and now to his family – the anger and verbal abuse on the comment sections on twitter – it’s crazy I tell you. No room for discussion or critical thinking – oh none of that now. When do we solve a problem or clear up misunderstanding with violence. Now the postings about the incident – violence begets violence – don’t we get it? I have hope – I have a feeling – that things are shifting but it may be messy for a while. I like to look at things with a wide angle lens but today was a tough one. Your posting gave me a glimmer in an otherwise difficult day.
I am watching and will be vigliant. My voice is my life. Thank you for sharing this Rev B. I am but a rampart at the ready, I know I am not the only one.
I think it’s important to remember to have an open mind about all of this. The media only lets us see what they want and I’m sure there is more going on behind the scenes than we know. Just as everyone has skeletons, so will this trial. Once the door is finally opened, the truth will be told. Innocence has been replaced by a quiet vengeance and an unfolding agenda. Patience will bring a new spring…
This is the most truth-telling and well written articles about Michael and his suffering I have come across online. This needs to be published because there are many people who need to have something like this in their face. They would probably ignore though, because as you said it is ‘projection’ and many don’t want to look in the mirror and see that dark angry bitterness within themselves. I have never seen someone spew such venom over an innocent man with no regard for his life as a human being, his children or his mother–nothing, as a particular “reporter” does. Michael was persecuted his entire life, but the trial really took so much from him. You are right, how did he survive all those years, and MY GOD, how did Katherine survive seeing her baby boy so tormented and ridiculed at every turn? And in death is even worse because the circus continues. I’m sure Michael felt he would peace in death; he was wrong. I think knowing how much Michael loved this world and wanted us all to be colorblind and make it better makes it worse for me. This is the world he wanted to lift up and it wanted nothing but to drag him down. I don’t understand people who say that Michael did this to himself. He may not have been perfect, but WE as a society and the world destroyed him. We did not hold him dear like the visionary, healer, gentle spirit and Christ admirer that he was. We failed miserably and will never get that chance again. But even worse is– so many don’t realize what we lost.
So true. I have always maintained that we should prepare ourselves for some strikes below the waist regarding this trial, especially whe some of the people who participated in the “broadcasting” of the 2005 trial events are going to take part in this trial too.
Oh, Rev. Barbara, we will NOT drift off to sleep! I can’t be quiet and let those who are ignorant and refuse to confront their own “scary” images in the mirror spew their foul-smelling opinions and go unchallenged. There are so many comments on articles about Michael Jackson that are so hurtful and filled with hate, it causes me such heartache. It is also very frightening to know just how misinformed the “masses” are, especially considering the overwhelming loving-kindness, and caring of this special man. Michael was making plans for exciting new things–to connect with his fans in more intimate ways, creating new music and film to focus attention on humanity’s plight and the solutions that are possible and he was going to accomplish it without force, violence, or greed-based domination. He was enlightening, empowering and raising peoples’ consciousness so magnificently. The hurt I feel at the senselessness of his death never stops. The fact that his family, especially dear Katherine, must endure these shocking and mind-numbing details is so sad. I pray the fans rally around her and are there every day of the hearings to let her know that they love and support her. May truth prevail and justice be done. We will not be silent.
I don’t know what to say, really…except Thank you. However, I have something to say about the post “The Real Michael Jackson” on mjmessage. Its a very well written one, are you the author Barbara?
I could not stop looking at the picture of Kathrine who stares so proudly and lovingly at her baby son. Since when did that sweet child become pubic property? That’s Michael Jackson, Kathrine’s baby son, a brother, and a father. We have a lot of nerve to claim every single aspect of his personal life as ours to do with whatever we please. His personal life was not then, nor now, ours to toy with. He gave to us what was meant to be ours– the gift of dance and music. That is all we had a right to. And today we do the same. We wait for the breaking news. We are ready to “pounce” at the first sign of any negative statement to defend Michael. And some are not aware of how to put a leash on that passion and end up turning on each other.We agonize over it all those who love him, and the lunching ladies as you say, prepare their table. Let’s not go where Michael does not want us to go. I know what Michael wants from us because I know Michaels heart. He wants us to love his song, his dance. To love each other. And to take our passion and turn it into something that will nourish the world. That is what he did every single time he was hurt. He turned something bad into something beautiful to nourish the world. A film, a song, a message. Michael gave us what he wanted us to have. And I am eternally grateful for his gift.
Thank you Rev Barbara for having the courage (once again) to speak the truth. I only hope that many people start to realize this truth. I hear about bullying in so many ways today and it really pains me that humanity has come to this place. I read your words and I became very angry at all the people who contributed to the bullying of a human being whose only desire was to spread love, protect children, heal the world; the list goes on. I do not have to tell you or anyone who has read your blog. They already know this. At this point, I feel as I’m just spewing words, so I will stop. You’ve said it best for all of us who understand who Michael was and what he was trying to do. I sincerely hope that all those people who are not traveling the road of light and love, they eventually arrive at that fork in the road where there are two signs. These two signs read in one direction “Road to Light and Love” and the other sign reads “Continue Down Your Same Path”. My hope is that they choose “Road to Light and Love”. Thank you and Namaste!
They may still be ‘breaking the news’ but you’re still breaking the even better news – that more and more people are seeing through the pretence of mass media and are saying NO. Thank you for being a voice and a Soul in Action.
Ditto. And Namaste`~B
Thank you for sharing your article. Massmedia have incredible power, nor do we are not able to recognize when it starts to concern any of us personally. Michael had a difficult life in the fight against them, trying for a long time, but endure it for so many years.
It just makes me so sad how money is just so dirty. Michael did say he felt like he lived in a fish bowl just think about how he felt he was constantly being ridiculed for every movement he made. He was not a free man. I remember as a child being bullied in school and how that affected me well into my adulthood. I can not imagine being bullied all thoughout my life. Its so sad how even after his death people do not leave him alone and still call him names. I just hope and pray that one day the media will stop looking at celebrities like Michael as cartoon characters that they can throw daggers at, but as living breathing people with feelings and families like you and I. It’s like there is a disconnect there; its really all about money. As long as we can make people aware of whats going on maybe things change move forward for the better.