Whatever your opinion of Michael Jackson, be it good or bad that’s your choice, however what has offended me is the way some people can be so flippant about the death of another human being. No-one can take away the genius of Jackson, nor can the most ardent hater ignore his popularity and with it the joy and happiness he brought to so many. Of course none of that matters to those who were cracking insensitive (and frankly unfunny) jokes and bring up his misdemeanours before he had even officially been announced dead.
Celebrities can be viewed as “non-human-like” which seems to automatically mean anyone can say anything about them and no-one should be offended by it. Creating a “them and us” mentality, usually if we’re being honest is born out of pure and simple jealousy of either their talent or wealth. Some even make a living out of it, and two of the finer examples of this trait is the despicable Perez Hilton, who wouldn’t even be known if it were not for the stars he attacks through his tacky website, which he had to pull a page down from after suggesting the news of Michael Jackson being rushed to hospital was some sort of stunt. Add to that, American “comedienne” Sarah Silverman, who has made a living out of saying inappropriate things in the name of humour, posted on her Twitter account: “Did you hear Michael Jackson’s kids are free? That’s not nice. I’m sorry. Ugh, I feel bad for saying that. LOOK A BLUE CAR!”. If right now you’re finding humour in any of this, then chances are you’re heading to the same place you want Michael Jackson to be right now. Think of the irony on that one!
Anyone can be offensive, you don’t need to be a Perez or Silverman. Heck, I think you’re c**t! Hilarious, isn’t it? Isn’t it? You fat, ugly f**ker. Oh, by the way, your Mother is a cheap wh*re.
The very definition of a celebrity is someone who is a well known person. Yes, a person. Just like you and I. The difference is for whatever reason, they are famous. They still put their pants on one leg at a time and they all have family and friends who love and care for them, just like you and me. This has been forgotten by some people I think, those who feel it’s acceptable to attack someone in the public eye because of some limited knowledge they may have, and sometimes with absolutely no reason whatsoever apart from because they can. Rather than be positive they choose to be negative as it’s easier to bring someone down to your level than it is for you to raise yourself above it all. It actually says more about the person spewing this vile putrid than the celebrity they are talking about.
I am not a Michael Jackson fan. I own the ‘History’ album and the ‘Black Or White’ CD single. That’s it. I am not here to condone what he may or may not have done. This actually isn’t about Michael Jackson. This could be the death of any famous person. It just so happens that the “King of Pop” has passed on and he was a more controversial figure than most. If you are one of those Muppets who were coming out with tasteless comments as the rolling news coverage reported on his death, firstly well done for reading this far, secondly remember the next time you feel hard done by something in your personal life, some level of injustice that people comment on without having access to all the facts about your situation - know you’ve done the very same thing, of course you did it to a celebrity though, and that’s acceptable but the same set of morals do not apply themselves to famous people when it comes to you. How hypocritical can you get?!
I know not everyone is so absolutely pathetic to be so negative about someone they do not really know. In fact, the majority of people are positive and while in this instance are not ignoring the scandals that surrounded Michael Jackson during parts of his life, these people are morally just to show respect to a great entertainer, singer, dancer... father, man, fellow human being.
To those who could not or would know show signs of respect during the first few hours and days of the death of Jackson, I ask you this: how much is too much in your world? Is it acceptable to you to have your family and friends disrespected on their deaths? After all, it is not Michael Jackson you’re hurting with your callous words but those who knew him better than you ever will. Where does this all end? No point asking you, because you simply don’t care, so just beat it, beat it.
Michael Jackson - Rest In Peace
Additional: Whoever created and peddled the hoax deaths of Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum in the wake of the Michael Jackson death, your parents must be very proud of you - that is if you actually have any to speak of.
5 comments:
I have to say Mr Shand, this is one of the most sensible bits of writing I've seen on the interweb in a good while. People do forget that celebrities are people too, and our whole 'celebrity culture' really doesn't help things. There have been some really nasty things said in the last day which are very unfair.
Regardless of what people thought of him in life, the fact is, he was a brilliant musician, who, I don't think, ever quite managed to leave childhood behind. I don't believe he ever meant anybody any harm, and although I was never a 'fan', I like his music a lot, and I'm sorry to see him go.
Is a little respect really so hard for people to give?
While I get your point, your return example was a bit extreme. The difference with the jokes and gallows humour is its not TO the person or a member of their family. personally I think there's a big difference between making a joke about a celeb and walking up to someone/their sister/you get the idea and saying "your a fat ugly f*ck". I fully expected to see jokes within...seconds...and said to my mum "btw, fair warning, if I get famous there'll be jokes when I die". It goes further than that as I've heard ones when non famous people have died too.
So while I see your point, I think your off on this for two reasons. 1) it's been happening since the first famous person, probably before and 2)your encouraging something you don't like by ranting so much. If no one listened, it would stop. For the record I am an MJ fan, my mum cried a bit today and I pretty much just ignored the jokes.
All this said, I hope Perez dies in a fire soon. Always hated that prick.
Shivonne, thank you for the compliment on my blog though, it is very much appreciated - sadly, I think your closing question answers itself. I really believe a little respect is too hard for some people to give. It should be noted that Michael Jackson was never found guilty of the crimes he was accused of but like I said in my blog, the general consensus seems to be that if you're a celebrity you're guilty even if proven innocent.
Dave - sadly I think it's that mentality of trying to justify disrespectful comments that encourages this kind of behaviour. Just because something has been happening for years should not make it acceptable and regarding my actual blog pedalling this negativity you are way off the mark. The reason why people think it's OK to disrespect a celebrity who has just passed is because hardly anyone says otherwise these days. They stupidly end up convincing themselves that they are only saying what other people are thinking. An absurd notion when you actually analyse it!
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "Celebrities can be viewed as 'non-human-like".
The unreal/larger-than-life personas they (or their publicity/spin machines)create put a divide between them as a person and them as a personality.
In an online/'reality tv'/star lifestyle magazine/videogame/desensitised world, it does become easy for some to forget the people, often fragile, behind the brttle facade.
As a counter argument to that, you say it is morally just to show respect to "... a father, man, fellow human being". Indeed. However, the mawkish outpourings of emotion to someone who most had only heard on the radio or seen on TV, is a little different to showing respect.
The man was an entertainer of many years; he had some trouble in his life; he died. Like many public figures some will miss him, and he will have a place in history. Does his death deserve to be top of the national news? No.
That worries me perhaps more than the tasteless jokes that do the rounds.
Michael Jackson's brother announced his death with a statement something like: “My brother, the legendary King of Pop, passed away…….”
Apart from the obviously pretentiousness of the statement, does that sound like a genuine emotive family announcement? If my brother goes before me I am not going to announce his death by saying, “My brother, the best warehouseman in the Kingston upon Thames PC World depot, passed away…”
Sure he was a genius, and that's being recognised by nonstop broadcasts across the world as I write. But this genius should not be allowed to overshadow his very basic flaws as an individual. Hence, the jokes. I believe that no-one (especially me!) has the right not to be offended. I'm with Bill Hicks, who was genuinely amazed that anyone could be offended by a joke.
And if, as you suggest, I'm heading for the same place where I believe MJ is now, that's fine. As long as I'm not reincarnated down there as an 11 year old.
As for 'how much is too much in my world', I've no idea. I'll let you know when I've got there.
Thanks as always for an interesting and thought provoking blog.
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