Has Death Wiped Clean Michael Jackson's Sins? Many Say Yes
A few years ago, young children listening to
Michael Jackson tunes might have been something their parents would warn them about. Given the accusations that arose about his relationships with children in the 90s, some parents might not want the iconic pop star to be one of their kid's favorites.
But as Jackson's death has shown us this year, the final farewell is a transformational step in the image of a major icon. The scandals that may have plagued his life -- inappropriate behavior with children, addiction, isolation -- cast clouds of judgment that, in death, are mere footnotes to the greater legacy of their cultural contributions.
Gaylord Fields, senior editor at
Spinner.com, said the sudden death of a major entertainer allows their faults to be set aside. The scandal of their death may create headlines, but afterward there is a wave of forgiveness that lasts longer than any misgivings.
"It's almost as if they've sort of been wiped clean of all earthly sin," Fields explained. "It's a very religious sort of conversion that happens when really big stars die before their time. And that's definitely been the case with Michael Jackson."
Fields draws comparisons to Elvis, John Lennon, and other performers who die before their story is complete. Whatever their status may be in the public eye at the time, their death is a time to focus on other aspects of their life and career.
"You need to kind of scrub them up if you want to put them on a pedestal," he said. "You're not gonna put a dirty statue on a pedestal."
King of Pop fans from different generations have different memories of how they see him. Those who remember him from The Jackson Five stage, 'Thriller' stage, or only from South Park parodies, will have different opinions on his life and times. However laced his legacy may be with scandal and mystery, those who wish to remember him as an icon will have no trouble doing so -- in part due to his untimely death.
"People really needed to reclaim him and reinvent him and this became the perfect excuse of someone who deserves iconic status without the tabloid scandal," he said.
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Memorable Michael Moments
Michael Jackson is photographed with Brooke Shields in 1988.
Ron Galella, WireImage
Ron Galella, WireImage
Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film 'The Wiz.'
Tom Zimberoff, Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey interviewed Jackson in February of 1993.
AP
Time showed off an Andy Warhol portrait on a 1984 cover at the height of his 'Thriller' popularity.
Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images
Michael Jackson is photographed with Brooke Shields in 1988.
Ron Galella, WireImage
Michael Jackson hit the court with Michael Jordan during the video shoot for 'Jam' in 1992.
FOX / AP
Jackson attends a Pepsi press conference on February 3, 1992. Jackson accepted the largest individual sponsorship deal in history from Pepsi-Cola in 1983.
Steve Allen, Liaison / Getty Images
Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena in 1993. The halftime show was a ratings smash.
Rusty Kennedy, AP
Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley kiss on the stage of Radio City Music Hall at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. "And they said he wouldn't last," Jackson joked.
AFP / Getty Images
Wearing a black surgical mask, Jackson arrives with companion Debbie Rowe, mother to two of his children, at a performance of the play "Sisterella" in 1996.
Chris Pizzello, AP
Michael Jackson with baby son Prince and mother Debbie Rowe on cover of OK! Magazine in 1997.
OK! Magazine / AP
Music and pop culture play an important role in any individual's life. They are a way to mark time, a way to connect the years and a way to commemorate life-changing milestones. Jackson's chart-topping music would've played a role in many people's lives. For parents to hold onto those memories and play certain songs for their kids is their way of remembering. But with that comes the cleansing of his legacy – they won't re-read the headlines of his scandals, but they will jam out to 'Beat It.'
"The threat of a real Michael Jackson and the scandal he had with the children is not interfering," Fields said. "It can't hurt the kids anymore."
Dr.Joe Schiavo, director of the music program at Rutgers-Camden, says the way people hang onto music of former times is an "interesting phenomenon." To listen to certain music, and share it with one's children, is a way for people to hang onto a piece of their youth.
"When you're young, a teenager or in your early 20s, there's many different events that take place in your life, it's just part of growing up," Schiavo said. "And I think we all have a tendency, at least I do, of associating certain events with songs that happen to be popular at the time or songs I'd like to listen to."
Listening to those songs after a sudden death of an icon like Jackson instantly rehabs his image. Schiavo notes that our culture has such short attention spans, that the talent is what stands out. A new generation of Jackson fans, absorbing his catalog after death, will only know the talent and the loss of a fantastic performer.
Just before Jackson's death this summer, he was preparing for his stateside comeback. Memorialized in the 'This is It' film, Jackson was dedicated to his craft up until the end. He seemed driven to reclaim a status in the U.S. public eye as not a scandal maker, but as the vessel of star power that got him where he was in the first place. While the tour may have changed up his image, his death served to do the same -- a somewhat morbid thought, but true nonetheless.
"This was going to be his big comeback, yet his popularity in the U.S. was waning since he'd been away for so long," Schiavo said. "We can only imagine now what his life would be like had he been able to go through with this tour."
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Our Bible, incidently the same version Michael used, condems repeated same sins as unforgiveable, therefor Michael is Doomed unsaveable and will go to HELL, it's in the Book, he constantly molested children, innocent kids that didnt know better, he took unfair advantage of there innocence and exploited them to the fullest, Jan Jackson LOOK deep into your Heart and you will understand the truth. Your Brother is in HELL forever, that also goes for all the Lesbians and Gays
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Did you not get loved by your parents or something? There is so much hate there. I am a Christian and it is my conviction that it's not up to me where he is now and it's not up to me to speculate. I did not know him personally so I don't know. I only enjoyed his music and performances.
And Who gave you the right to judge? Are You God? And how many times are we forgiven?????? And i truly pray there is forgiveness for you?
It's people like yourself, Patrick, that the world needs less of. Being prejudice is also a sin, and it seems you yourself are a repeat offender.
shup up please nobody knows what really happens. plus i think the bible is just bs sorry just my opinion.plus don't all this christian values said that you don't have to judge other people without knowing them first.
you area dumbass,you have no knowledege wheteherhe did this,but you are judging, what does your booksay about that,hypocrite
I don't beleive MJ molested any children! I think that the haters don't beleive it either, but they just want to put down and crucify another black man. MJ had the biggest, loving and giving heart. Only an a**hole would beleive that he would do something so discusting. All of those years when he would be on tour he would stop to visit orphans & childern in hospitals to give them hope and put a smile on their faces. What do you think he molested them too idot! You don't like MJ don't read about him, don't blog about him! Go straight to hell. RIP my angel we still beleive you're inocent
I am so glad you not god. and just playing the part on earth with your pious judgements. It is people like you that put Jesus on the cross to begin with. Shame on you for judging and being so mean to people who have lost loved one. But I'm sure you live in a glass house. There are names for people like you but you ususually on hear it spoken around a kennel.
Mr. HATER, your point is well taken regarding the danger of a mega-star that repeatedly is charged with molesting a child, allowed to continue or have his fans mimicking in his child molesting footsteps cannot be allowed..........But that is not the case with Mr. Michael Jackson. If you look at both child molestation cases brought against Mr. Jackson, they both had time-lines that would have made a district attorney throw both cases out....But because Mr. Jackson had made the mistake of establishing himself as a Wacko Jacko from his strange conduct, it was easy for any prosecutor to have probable cause. So while Mr. Jackson was not a child molestor, he was very stupid and reckless with his conduct, and Mr. Jackson brought the "probable cause theory that the pa pa uses" into play....to the table. Now in his tragic death, Mr. Hater.....Mr. Jackson will be honored and respected......Na Na
Well said Patrick.
LMAO Why are you bringing up child molestation when the kids admited after his death that their parents made them lie for the money. Those kids are adults now. You need to get a life and stop kicking the man down that you did not personally know.
What ever whacko jacko did is between him and God. Just like the rest of us, we will be judged only by God, not by each other. Besides, in our time frame, what ever he did he did and that can't be changed. He is a poster boy of someone who believes their own press, to call him "King of Pop" is a joke, well maybe 25 years ago, but nothing since other than press on his odd choices and behavior.
Patrick, I feel sorry for you. My Bible does not say anything like that and a man's salvation is known by God, certainly not you!
I guess the 300 millon dollars he donated to charity means nothing.....talk what u know not what u heard.
there was never any proof he did those things to children.i think that was a lot of people wanting his money we are not god we do not decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. i think he is in heaven.because he was a very good hearted person and he seemed to have loved people.
When MJ paid off his first accuser I vowed to never listen to his music again, and even though I loved many of his songs, I stuck to the promise with myself. Now that he is gone and being judged by someone who knows the truth, I let myself listen to his music.
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Micheal never paid off his first accuser. The agreement was that the accuser and his family would only speak about their accusations in a court of law and not resort to spreading rumours. The family and the prosecution decided not to press charges because they lacked evidence. Stop believing everything you read. The truth is available look for it!
However you want to skirt the issue, he paid off his accuser.
Nancy, you are not in possession of the facts, sorry. Google the GQ article "Was Michael Jackson Framed?" to begin to learn the truth. Read "Redemption" by Geraldine Hughes, legal secretary to Evan Chandler's attorney, which reveals the extortion plot against MJ. Continue, if you have the stomach for it, with "Michael Jackson Conspiracy" by Aphrodite Jones to learn about the travesty of a trial in 2005. He was acquitted on all counts, but the trial never should have gone forward. It is sickening what people will do for money. This was an innocent man, and silly tabloids that use terms like "sins" and "scandals" rather than facts will not be able to hide that forever.
R.I.P Michael....my opinion has not changed...and it was never good..... but I wish you peace with our Lord.
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