Charity
MVP
I so agree with you, amastie. That's why I wish so sincerely that he is someplace that he can be happy now-- because I don't think he ever had a chance to be truly happy while he was alive.
- Thread starter Charity
- Start date
David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Michael Jackson and the false narrative phenomenon
Michael Jackson and the false narrative phenomenon
By Josh Visser, CTV.ca News
Wed. Jul. 8 2009
It has been hours since Michael Jackson's funeral, but is it too soon to ask, "Can society have its sanity back?"
The global mourning and hysteria surrounding Jackson's death surpasses the grief and accolades given to Princess Diana when she died, and you really have to go back to Elvis Presley's 1977 death for such a reaction.
But here's the rub: Three weeks ago, Jackson was seen by most people as a joke at best; or another rich celebrity who got away with horrible crimes, at worst.
This is not to say Jackson didn't have his fans. Tens of thousands of people bought tickets for 50 comeback shows planned in London. But outside of his adoring hardcore fans, people wouldn't be caught dead wearing his T-shirts even ironically.
But in death, all that changed. The media in particular, and society at large, seemed to develop a mass amnesia -- the last 18 years of lacklustre musical output, the criminal allegations and civil settlements, and the just plain weirdness was forgotten.
Instead it was all about his incredible musical genius and tremendous showmanship -- a run that lasted from 1979's "Off the Wall" to "Bad" in 1987. Despite what you may think of the man, you can't deny the sheer awesomeness of songs like "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" -- songs that broke the colour barrier on MTV and still inspire random dance parties.
But for people under 30, Jackson has been "Wacko Jacko" for the majority of their lives, which is why I find it stunningly bizarre when I hear 20-somethings talking about the singular importance of Jackson's music to them. Especially weird, when I have never heard them once express that sentiment when MJ was alive.
I'm not the only person who has seen this mass "narrative revision," but I fear there are only a select few of us who have noticed -- like when Roddy Piper wears the sunglasses in John Carpenter's "They Live" and sees that half the people around him are really aliens in disguise.
Pop contrarian and author Chuck Klosterman also appears to wearing the MJ-charade exposing sunglasses. In an interview with ESPN's Bill Simmons just days after Jackson's death, he dared challenge the new-MJ worldview.
"Where have all these people been for 25 years? He's been an object of ridicule for almost two decades," Klosterman posed. "I understand people saying great things about him after he died . . . he was this iconic, brilliant musician . . . but what I think is weird, is all these people creating this false narrative about their relationship to his music.
"Go on Facebook now . . . and you see all these people talking about how "Thriller" was the soundtrack to their life . . . How come no one has mentioned this for a decade? It's almost like they watch television, see it's a big moment and they really want to feel like they are a part of this experience. It's so curious."
The false narrative phenomenon
Even U.S. President Barack Obama seems to have spotted the phenomena.
"There are certain figures in our popular culture that just capture peoples' imagination, and in death they become even larger. I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable," he told CBS.
The new-life after death for pop stars is hardly new. Tupac and Biggie Smalls were both hailed as rap pioneers much more in death than they ever were in life.
As Klosterman has pointed out in one of his books, everyone seems to forget that when Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994, Pearl Jam was much more popular, both commercially and critically, than Nirvana. But after Cobain died, Nirvana flew into a beloved orbit and has never come back down.
But with Jackson's death, the first real important cultural figure of the Facebook/Twitter age to die, this entire "false narrative" phenomenon seems to have gone into hyper drive. No one has a story too small about what Jackson meant to them, even if in the 1980s their cassette players were only playing Boy George or Motley Crue.
The hyperbole culminated at Jackson's memorial with the Rev. Al Sharpton, giving the pop singer partial credit for paving the way for Obama's election. Okay, Jackson accomplished a great many things but of the bazillion reasons given for Obama election victory eight months ago, I don't think anyone ever mentioned, "Well, the King of Pop helped."
Why do we rewrite our histories in death? We do it for our gone-too-young celebrities and politicians, but we also do it for the regular people in our lives -- choosing to remember only the good -- rather than an accurate portrait of a person.
There was only one Michael Jackson -- there wasn't a brilliant entertainer who existed until 1987 and then his freakish clone who dabbled in plastic surgery, and spent some his time showing, at best, incredibly poor judgment around children.
You can choose to only remember his music -- in fact, you're probably best off for it. But let's not misremember his legacy, like we have for a dozen other artists. In life, Jackson won more accolades than any other artist in history, in death, he doesn't deserve any new ones created in our collective minds.
Michael Jackson and the false narrative phenomenon
By Josh Visser, CTV.ca News
Wed. Jul. 8 2009
It has been hours since Michael Jackson's funeral, but is it too soon to ask, "Can society have its sanity back?"
The global mourning and hysteria surrounding Jackson's death surpasses the grief and accolades given to Princess Diana when she died, and you really have to go back to Elvis Presley's 1977 death for such a reaction.
But here's the rub: Three weeks ago, Jackson was seen by most people as a joke at best; or another rich celebrity who got away with horrible crimes, at worst.
This is not to say Jackson didn't have his fans. Tens of thousands of people bought tickets for 50 comeback shows planned in London. But outside of his adoring hardcore fans, people wouldn't be caught dead wearing his T-shirts even ironically.
But in death, all that changed. The media in particular, and society at large, seemed to develop a mass amnesia -- the last 18 years of lacklustre musical output, the criminal allegations and civil settlements, and the just plain weirdness was forgotten.
Instead it was all about his incredible musical genius and tremendous showmanship -- a run that lasted from 1979's "Off the Wall" to "Bad" in 1987. Despite what you may think of the man, you can't deny the sheer awesomeness of songs like "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" -- songs that broke the colour barrier on MTV and still inspire random dance parties.
But for people under 30, Jackson has been "Wacko Jacko" for the majority of their lives, which is why I find it stunningly bizarre when I hear 20-somethings talking about the singular importance of Jackson's music to them. Especially weird, when I have never heard them once express that sentiment when MJ was alive.
I'm not the only person who has seen this mass "narrative revision," but I fear there are only a select few of us who have noticed -- like when Roddy Piper wears the sunglasses in John Carpenter's "They Live" and sees that half the people around him are really aliens in disguise.
Pop contrarian and author Chuck Klosterman also appears to wearing the MJ-charade exposing sunglasses. In an interview with ESPN's Bill Simmons just days after Jackson's death, he dared challenge the new-MJ worldview.
"Where have all these people been for 25 years? He's been an object of ridicule for almost two decades," Klosterman posed. "I understand people saying great things about him after he died . . . he was this iconic, brilliant musician . . . but what I think is weird, is all these people creating this false narrative about their relationship to his music.
"Go on Facebook now . . . and you see all these people talking about how "Thriller" was the soundtrack to their life . . . How come no one has mentioned this for a decade? It's almost like they watch television, see it's a big moment and they really want to feel like they are a part of this experience. It's so curious."
The false narrative phenomenon
Even U.S. President Barack Obama seems to have spotted the phenomena.
"There are certain figures in our popular culture that just capture peoples' imagination, and in death they become even larger. I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable," he told CBS.
The new-life after death for pop stars is hardly new. Tupac and Biggie Smalls were both hailed as rap pioneers much more in death than they ever were in life.
As Klosterman has pointed out in one of his books, everyone seems to forget that when Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994, Pearl Jam was much more popular, both commercially and critically, than Nirvana. But after Cobain died, Nirvana flew into a beloved orbit and has never come back down.
But with Jackson's death, the first real important cultural figure of the Facebook/Twitter age to die, this entire "false narrative" phenomenon seems to have gone into hyper drive. No one has a story too small about what Jackson meant to them, even if in the 1980s their cassette players were only playing Boy George or Motley Crue.
The hyperbole culminated at Jackson's memorial with the Rev. Al Sharpton, giving the pop singer partial credit for paving the way for Obama's election. Okay, Jackson accomplished a great many things but of the bazillion reasons given for Obama election victory eight months ago, I don't think anyone ever mentioned, "Well, the King of Pop helped."
Why do we rewrite our histories in death? We do it for our gone-too-young celebrities and politicians, but we also do it for the regular people in our lives -- choosing to remember only the good -- rather than an accurate portrait of a person.
There was only one Michael Jackson -- there wasn't a brilliant entertainer who existed until 1987 and then his freakish clone who dabbled in plastic surgery, and spent some his time showing, at best, incredibly poor judgment around children.
You can choose to only remember his music -- in fact, you're probably best off for it. But let's not misremember his legacy, like we have for a dozen other artists. In life, Jackson won more accolades than any other artist in history, in death, he doesn't deserve any new ones created in our collective minds.
David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
It gets even more sordid and tacky
DEBBIE ROWE DROPS CUSTODY FIGHT: $4M MOTHER LODE FOR MICHAEL JACKSON EX
By KATE SHEEHY, New York Post
July 14, 2009
Michael Jackson's baby mama Debbie Rowe has sold her kids again -- this time squeezing about $4 million from her former mother-in-law in exchange for giving up her parental rights, a family source told The Post yesterday.
"It's one final payday," the disgusted Jackson confidant said.
The family isn't happy about the mega-payout -- which was set to be sealed in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon -- but they consider it a necessary evil, the source said.
"They felt it was like a ransom-type thing. [Rowe] jumped back into the picture because she wanted money," the friend said.
Rowe -- a former dental assistant who bore a boy and girl for Jacko -- had forfeited her parental rights once before in exchange for big bucks.
After the birth of son Prince Michael, now 12, and daughter Paris, 11, she agreed to allow Jackson to raise them in exchange for a lump sum of $8 million, plus $900,000 annually for five years, the source said.
When Jacko was accused of child molestation in 2001, Rowe resurfaced to reclaim her rights. But she wound up giving her ex-husband full custody of the kids anyway -- in exchange for another $4 million plus a $900,000 home.
This time around, she is forfeiting her restored parental rights to Jackson's mom, Katherine, in exchange for yet another roughly $4 million, the family source said.
"This would be it. This takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time," the source said.
"If something happens to Katherine, [Rowe] can't challenge the next [guardian], whether that be Diana Ross or someone in the family."
Neither lawyers for Rowe nor Katherine Jackson returned phone calls or e-mails.
While it had been thought that Rowe was demanding that Jacko's abusive father, Joe, have nothing to do with the kids, the source said there is no such language in the agreement.
Still, the family will keep him in check, the source said.
Joe Jackson is reportedly pushing his dead son's children -- also including Prince Michael II, a k a "Blanket," born to an unidentified surrogate using donor sperm -- to form a new group, The Jackson 3.
But "that's something the family would absolutely not tolerate," the source said.
The King of Pop's siblings are themselves involved in a venture that has become much more lucrative since his death.
Jacko's five remaining brothers were filming an A&E pilot for what they hoped would be a reality series about them launching a reunion tour.
While the five initially agreed to be paid a total of between $200,000 and $300,000 for the pilot, they now want to add footage of Michael's funeral into the mix -- and boost their take to "between $10 million and $20 million," the family source said.
DEBBIE ROWE DROPS CUSTODY FIGHT: $4M MOTHER LODE FOR MICHAEL JACKSON EX
By KATE SHEEHY, New York Post
July 14, 2009
Michael Jackson's baby mama Debbie Rowe has sold her kids again -- this time squeezing about $4 million from her former mother-in-law in exchange for giving up her parental rights, a family source told The Post yesterday.
"It's one final payday," the disgusted Jackson confidant said.
The family isn't happy about the mega-payout -- which was set to be sealed in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon -- but they consider it a necessary evil, the source said.
"They felt it was like a ransom-type thing. [Rowe] jumped back into the picture because she wanted money," the friend said.
Rowe -- a former dental assistant who bore a boy and girl for Jacko -- had forfeited her parental rights once before in exchange for big bucks.
After the birth of son Prince Michael, now 12, and daughter Paris, 11, she agreed to allow Jackson to raise them in exchange for a lump sum of $8 million, plus $900,000 annually for five years, the source said.
When Jacko was accused of child molestation in 2001, Rowe resurfaced to reclaim her rights. But she wound up giving her ex-husband full custody of the kids anyway -- in exchange for another $4 million plus a $900,000 home.
This time around, she is forfeiting her restored parental rights to Jackson's mom, Katherine, in exchange for yet another roughly $4 million, the family source said.
"This would be it. This takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time," the source said.
"If something happens to Katherine, [Rowe] can't challenge the next [guardian], whether that be Diana Ross or someone in the family."
Neither lawyers for Rowe nor Katherine Jackson returned phone calls or e-mails.
While it had been thought that Rowe was demanding that Jacko's abusive father, Joe, have nothing to do with the kids, the source said there is no such language in the agreement.
Still, the family will keep him in check, the source said.
Joe Jackson is reportedly pushing his dead son's children -- also including Prince Michael II, a k a "Blanket," born to an unidentified surrogate using donor sperm -- to form a new group, The Jackson 3.
But "that's something the family would absolutely not tolerate," the source said.
The King of Pop's siblings are themselves involved in a venture that has become much more lucrative since his death.
Jacko's five remaining brothers were filming an A&E pilot for what they hoped would be a reality series about them launching a reunion tour.
While the five initially agreed to be paid a total of between $200,000 and $300,000 for the pilot, they now want to add footage of Michael's funeral into the mix -- and boost their take to "between $10 million and $20 million," the family source said.
white page
Member
Those poor children, it is horrifying to imagine what they will feel when they are of an age to understand just how sordid and immoral their birth mother is.
I just deeply hope that there are enough decent adults as carers in their present entourage
I just deeply hope that there are enough decent adults as carers in their present entourage
16 of Michael Jackson's Greatest Non-Musical Achievements
The news of Michael Jackson's death rocked the world on June 25, 2009. Since his death all of the major television networks have aired special tributes highlighting his musical legacy. Those tributes are fitting for the man who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice and whose 1982 Thriller album still holds the title of all-time best selling record in the world. However, Michael Jackson also had many significant non-musical achievements that are rarely mentioned.
The Michael Jackson Burn Center
On January 27, 1984, Jackson suffered second degree burns on his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. A pyrotechnics accident set his hair on fire in front of the auditorium full of fans who were there for a simulated concert. Jackson sued PepsiCo and settled out of court for $1.5 million. The settlement was donated to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, where Jackson received treatment for his burns. Using the money donated by Jackson, Brotman was able to get the best available technology for treating burn victims. The burn ward at the hospital was later named the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" to honor Jackson and his generous contribution.
Received Award from President Reagan
Michael Jackson was invited to the White House on May 14, 1984, where he received an award for his support of drug and alcohol abuse charities, presented by President Ronald Reagan.
Donated Profits of Victory Tour to Charity
The 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by the Jacksons, introduced more than two million fans to Jackson's solo material. Following the tour, Jackson donated his $5 million share from the tour's profits to charity.
We Are the World, We Are the Children
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the charity single "We Are the World" in 1985. Both artists were among the 39 musicians who recorded the song. The single was released around the world to and proceeds went to help the needy in Africa and the U.S. Almost 20 million copies of "We Are the World" were sold, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. The project raised millions for famine relief.
Treated Underprivileged Children to Free Shows
During the Bad World Tour, Michael Jackson played to sold out crowds and smashed Guinness World records when 504,000 fans packed Wembley Stadium for each of the seven sold out shows and the tour grossed $125 million. During all of this, Jackson invited underprivileged children to the shows and donated to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.
100 Percent to Charity
Jackson donated 100 percent of the profits from him single "Man in the Mirror" to charity.
Donations to the United Negro College Fund
From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund.
Honored by President George H. W. Bush
President George H. W. Bush commended Jackson for his achievements and presented him with the White House's special "Artist of the Decade" award in recognition of his musical influence during the 1980s.
Heal The World Foundation
Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's Neverland ranch to ride theme park rides the singer had built on the property. Heal the World also gave millions of dollars to help children around the world who were threatened by war and illnesses.
Dangerous Profits Go to Charity
Jackson started the Dangerous World Tour on June 27, 1992 and completed it on November 11, 1993, after entertaining 3.5 million people at 67 concerts. All of the profits from the concerts were donated to the Heal the World Foundation.
Publicly Pleaded for More HIV/AIDS Research
When Ryan White, a hemophiliac teen from Indiana was kicked out of school in 1985 because he contracted HIV from a contaminated blood treatment, Jackson became one of his advocates. After White's death in 1990, Jackson pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala for more funding for HIV/AIDS charities and research.
Teamed with Luciano Pavarotti for Charity
Jackson and Pavarottii teamed up for a benefit concert in Modena, Italy in June 1999. The concert was focused on support of the non-profit organization Warchild. The artists raised a million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo and also donated money to help the children of Guatemala.
Michael Jackson and Friends Benefit Concerts
Also in June 1999, Jackson organized a series of benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. He recruited Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram, Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti for the Michael Jackson and Friends concerts. The proceeds were donated to the "Nelson Mandela Children's Fund", the Red Cross and UNESCO.
Guinness Record for Support of Charities
Jackson was listed in the 2000 book of Guinness World Records for his support more charities than any other entertainer or personality. Jackson supported 39 charities through cash donations and sponsorships.
Moonwalk
Jackson released his first autobiography, Moon Walk, in 1988. The book took four years to write and detailed alleged abuse Jackson suffered as a child and his plastic surgeries. The book topped the New York Times best seller's list.
Support After 9/11
After the 9/11 attacks, Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., which aired on October 21, 2001. Dozens of major artists performed at the concert and Jackson sang "What More Can I Give" as the finale.
The news of Michael Jackson's death rocked the world on June 25, 2009. Since his death all of the major television networks have aired special tributes highlighting his musical legacy. Those tributes are fitting for the man who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice and whose 1982 Thriller album still holds the title of all-time best selling record in the world. However, Michael Jackson also had many significant non-musical achievements that are rarely mentioned.
The Michael Jackson Burn Center
On January 27, 1984, Jackson suffered second degree burns on his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. A pyrotechnics accident set his hair on fire in front of the auditorium full of fans who were there for a simulated concert. Jackson sued PepsiCo and settled out of court for $1.5 million. The settlement was donated to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California, where Jackson received treatment for his burns. Using the money donated by Jackson, Brotman was able to get the best available technology for treating burn victims. The burn ward at the hospital was later named the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" to honor Jackson and his generous contribution.
Received Award from President Reagan
Michael Jackson was invited to the White House on May 14, 1984, where he received an award for his support of drug and alcohol abuse charities, presented by President Ronald Reagan.
Donated Profits of Victory Tour to Charity
The 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by the Jacksons, introduced more than two million fans to Jackson's solo material. Following the tour, Jackson donated his $5 million share from the tour's profits to charity.
We Are the World, We Are the Children
Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the charity single "We Are the World" in 1985. Both artists were among the 39 musicians who recorded the song. The single was released around the world to and proceeds went to help the needy in Africa and the U.S. Almost 20 million copies of "We Are the World" were sold, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. The project raised millions for famine relief.
Treated Underprivileged Children to Free Shows
During the Bad World Tour, Michael Jackson played to sold out crowds and smashed Guinness World records when 504,000 fans packed Wembley Stadium for each of the seven sold out shows and the tour grossed $125 million. During all of this, Jackson invited underprivileged children to the shows and donated to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.
100 Percent to Charity
Jackson donated 100 percent of the profits from him single "Man in the Mirror" to charity.
Donations to the United Negro College Fund
From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund.
Honored by President George H. W. Bush
President George H. W. Bush commended Jackson for his achievements and presented him with the White House's special "Artist of the Decade" award in recognition of his musical influence during the 1980s.
Heal The World Foundation
Jackson founded the "Heal the World Foundation" in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's Neverland ranch to ride theme park rides the singer had built on the property. Heal the World also gave millions of dollars to help children around the world who were threatened by war and illnesses.
Dangerous Profits Go to Charity
Jackson started the Dangerous World Tour on June 27, 1992 and completed it on November 11, 1993, after entertaining 3.5 million people at 67 concerts. All of the profits from the concerts were donated to the Heal the World Foundation.
Publicly Pleaded for More HIV/AIDS Research
When Ryan White, a hemophiliac teen from Indiana was kicked out of school in 1985 because he contracted HIV from a contaminated blood treatment, Jackson became one of his advocates. After White's death in 1990, Jackson pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala for more funding for HIV/AIDS charities and research.
Teamed with Luciano Pavarotti for Charity
Jackson and Pavarottii teamed up for a benefit concert in Modena, Italy in June 1999. The concert was focused on support of the non-profit organization Warchild. The artists raised a million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo and also donated money to help the children of Guatemala.
Michael Jackson and Friends Benefit Concerts
Also in June 1999, Jackson organized a series of benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. He recruited Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram, Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti for the Michael Jackson and Friends concerts. The proceeds were donated to the "Nelson Mandela Children's Fund", the Red Cross and UNESCO.
Guinness Record for Support of Charities
Jackson was listed in the 2000 book of Guinness World Records for his support more charities than any other entertainer or personality. Jackson supported 39 charities through cash donations and sponsorships.
Moonwalk
Jackson released his first autobiography, Moon Walk, in 1988. The book took four years to write and detailed alleged abuse Jackson suffered as a child and his plastic surgeries. The book topped the New York Times best seller's list.
Support After 9/11
After the 9/11 attacks, Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., which aired on October 21, 2001. Dozens of major artists performed at the concert and Jackson sang "What More Can I Give" as the finale.
Replying is not possible. This forum is only available as an archive.
Similar threads
