For Myself & Others: How Shall We Remember the King of Pop?
By Bomani Jones, AOL BlackVoices columnist
Whether he's sentenced to jail or free to return to Neverland, Michael Jackson is fighting for his personal and professional life. But since his stateside career has been dead in the water for a decade, his professional life is about his legacy, the way he will be viewed by fans, critics and the unborn until the end of time.Some believe, no matter the outcome, Jackson will be revered, and that his incredible catalog of classics, strong relationships in urban radio, and indelible influence on pop music will be enough to overcome anything presented in court. But that stands in conflict with America's distaste for child molesters, people so hated they are looked down upon by convicts. The world has ignored R. Kelly's generally presumed guilt for statutory rape, but it's hard to fathom that a convicted child molester could be extended the support that Kelly has inexplicably received from the masses. The sexual purity of teenaged girls isn't worth as much to most as the innocence of young boys. That's equally misogynistic and homophobic; and in America, that's life.
But if Kelly, one-tenth the figure Jackson is, can carry on as usual with those charges over his head, there's no telling what MJ could get away with. The sentiments of many were encapsulated by a buddy I had lunch with this week. He says Jackson's trial should end and be replaced by a bizarre mutation of Marvin Gaye's 'Here, My Dear,' the profits from which served as settlement for Gaye's divorce from Anna Gordy. Instead of playing cee-lo with a jury -- by all accounts, this case could go either way -- my friend said Mike should be given a year to record an album. If it's as good as 'Thriller,' he should be set free. 'Bad' or worse would mean jail for the rest of his life.
Yes, some love Michael Jackson enough to sacrifice a couple of kids at the altar of his amazing talents.
A significant number must find that disturbing, even when illustrated in obviously facetious terms. There s a small chance that the MJ the world came to love in another era could disappear as prosecutors introduce a different man to the masses. Regardless of whether he's more spectacle than spectacular, he was the biggest star pop music has ever seen. Michael Jackson was so far ahead of his time that Usher Raymond has made himself today's megastar by being little more than Michael Jackson with a gym membership. But 30 years from now, it should not shock anyone if Jackson's musical accomplishments are forgotten.
Stranger things have happened, and most memories are short. In a world where, in spite of his acquittal, O.J. Simpson (America's favorite black person before Oprah came on the scene) is remembered primarily as a defendant instead of a Hall of Fame running back, the possibility that Michael Jackson will be seen as an accused and/or convicted pedophile isn't that far-fetched. And when one considers that his career has been dead since 'Dangerous,' a record released so long ago that Kriss Kross was the opening act on its accompanying tour, MJ's future and legacy can only get bleaker with each witness and exhibit. To many, the verdict will be a mere formality.
If his place in the world becomes defined by this trial, will we still hear 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' as parties wind down? Would he be able to throw himself any more self-aggrandizing anniversary specials? (Assuming he's acquitted, of course.) Would he be revered as the legend he undoubtedly is?
Those questions will be answered in the years following his trial. The way this case affects the public en masse won't be determined by whether Michael Jackson is convicted or not, and those results will be more compelling than any jury room banter. (I can only say that because I'm not the one on trial.) But just like the verdict, it could go either way.
March 18, 2005