It seems that lots of people want to know what I think and thought about Michael Jackson. I step into the fray with not a little trepidation.
Needless to say, Michael Jackson was long after my “day.” However, the first record album that my oldest daughter ever asked for was “Thriller” and she later told me that she really had no idea what it was about but that all her fellow 1st graders, or 3rd graders, were saying that they were getting it for Christmas so she want it too! I also thought that many of his songs were kind of “sweet” and his voice was definitely “sweet.”
Since his untimely death last Thursday, I’ve learned so much more about him. As a psychotherapist I have great compassion for anyone that suffered child abuse and neglect. I’ve shuddered to hear about all the things that his father beat him with and I do deeply regret he had to endure such a childhood.
The actions he was accused of as an adult will go unproven and basically unprovable. I do not judge anyone, that’s not my job.
What I do know now is that he was truly a child prodigy and sang and danced in a way that few people before or after were able to do. He created a whole new style of dancing that has been copied by many, many others. Like it or not, Michael jackson was probably a genius who never grew out of a child’s mindset and perspective. One of the wonderful things he did that I loved was the “We Are the World” get-together of so many stars of the 80’s. I leave you with that.