3/18/19

Michael Jackson has been a national icon since the 80’s, and many still find ways to continue his legacy. However, a new documentary might change people’s views on Jackson…
Michael Joseph Jackson was born to Katherine Esther Jackson and Joseph Walter Jackson in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. He is 8 out of 11 children, including Janet, Randy, and Marlon Jackson. During his childhood, Jackson was part of “The Jackson Five,” which was managed by Joseph. In 2003, Joseph had acknowledged the fact that he regularly whipped Jackson; to which Michael Jackson said “Played a large role in his success.” Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, late Elvis’ daughter. They soon divorced, which lead Jackson to marry Debbie Rowe, whom he had three children with: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Jackson, and Prince Jackson II. Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999.
Michael Jackson had became depressed following the sexual harassment allegations, which lead him to start taking various medications. On June 25, 2009, Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest at 50 years old. On August 28, the Los Angeles County Coroner made an official statement classifying Jackson’s death as a homicide. Conrad Murray, a personal doctor for Jackson, had been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Shortly before his death, Jackson had been administered propofol, two anxiety benzodiazepines, lorazepam, and midazolam.
In 1993, 13 year old Jordan Chandler, along with his father Evan Chandler, had first accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. Jackson argued that “he was the victim of a jealous father trying to extort money.” In 2005, although Jordan and Chandler made accurate results, Jackson wasn’t convicted. During the early stages of the trial, Jackson had became addicted to various medications.
Leaving Neverland was released on January 25, 2019. The film is a focus on Wade Robson (choreographer) and James Safechuck, who claimed Jackson sexually abused them as children in 2013. The film is a 4-hour documentary, with the family of Wade and Robson describing the relationship between them and Jackson. It has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with 81 reviews calling the film “Crucial and Careful.”
Corey Feldman came to Jackson’s defense, saying that Jackson had not acted inappropriate to him when he was young, also calling the film “One-sided.” Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin McCallister on Home Alone, claimed to have been close with Jackson and agreed that Jackson had not sexually abused him. Jackson’s family described the film as, “A Public Lynching.” Otherwise, Radio stations have removed Jackson’s songs from broadcast amid the allegations. The Simpsons episode “Stark Raving Dad,” which featured Jackson’s voice, was pulled from circulation. Drake removed “Don’t Matter To Me,” a song featuring Jackson’s vocals, from his Assassination Vacation Tour song list.
s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson
https://theweek.com/articles/827935/why-ti-right-about-michael-jackson Matthew Walther, March 11, 2019