Image vs Reality:
What We Know So Far
Personal Note: I know this is messy, and I don’t think anyone has
all the answers, but here’s what I’ve found that seems grounded [JS]:
- The whole situation regarding the allegations is all about what it looks like versus what it actually is.
- The problem is that the media narrative is so much more compelling than the Peter Pan image, while the reality behind it is complicated, and, to put it bluntly, messy.
- Michael had quite the time trying to get a grip on how distorted the world saw him. As an individual, he appeared either oblivious to certain signals or, as an artist, he purposefully chose to challenge societal norms, which only heightened the media’s bias and scrutiny.
- Expecting Michael Jackson to conform to normative social standards is, in essence, setting him up to fail. He was never not famous, and his existence was anything but ordinary.
- As it stands, there’s no solid proof backing the allegations against him. In fact, the evidence suggesting his innocence is quite robust.
- The difficulty of his defense is tied to his shy, innocent image. It’s akin to stepping into the ring with Muhammad Ali while your hands are tied behind your back. To effectively counter the false media narrative and the allegations, he’d have to show his true self, which he chose not to do.
- Imagine this scenario: Your life hinges on you telling the truth in order to receive the medication specifically tailored for you. Would you still keep up the facade? This mirrors MJ’s dilemma, where he remained guarded. His ever-eroding trust in others likely contributed to his cautious approach as well.
- Michael chose to show everyone a different side of him. He knew exactly what people expected of him, so while he could be his authentic self behind closed doors, once he stepped into a PR event, he transformed into a master of theatrics. For him, it appeared that nearly every moment was a PR opportunity, and he consistently donned a mask to play the part. For us watching from the sidelines, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces.
- When women came out and said there was no romance, they might have been playing into his story and going along with what he wanted. (This, of course, does not imply that this was always the case.) But it would’ve been an easy story to sell – why would Peter Pan have an active sex life, anyway?
- Michael’s first wife stood up against the bullying, shame, and mockery associated with their relationship. She made efforts to reshape the public’s view of the man she knew him to be. However, it appears she faced significant isolation in her attempts to speak out, as Michael himself seemed opposed to it. Furthermore, many in Jackson’s orbit had little incentive to challenge his public persona.
