MJ: Exile to Envy

I know there are millions of devoted Michael Jackson fans around the world. Those who never once considered even the possibility that he was guilty of child molestation. I am ashamed to say that I was not one of them. Until this past Tuesday. I entered Jackson Death mayhem with an iron will. I planted my feet firmly on the line of appreciator of musical genius and strong opposer to life. It is unnecessary to list all of Jackson's musical accomplishments. It would take many pages and you would be well beyond tired of reading, not to mention bored, by the time I was done. Thus, I'm taking a personal angle on the death of Michael Jackson.
The world regarded him as one thing. A freak. He was black by birth and white "by choice". Although I don't know that we will ever know for certain why his skin changed colors. He had a botched nose job multiple times. He dangled his youngest son over a balcony as a child. He was accused of child molestation after reports of sleepovers gone wrong at his Neverland Ranch. Without dispute one of these critiques will get you expelled from Hollywood let alone all of them. But let's be honest. We never really knew who Michael Jackson was. He was a soft-spoken, big-hearted humanitarian. The Guinness Book of World Records documents his extravagant gifts to charity. He touched millions with his music. Now that I see all this on paper the good and bad really even out. I'm not saying child molestation isn't horrible. But the truth is he was never convicted. According to family and close friends, Jackson never recovered emotionally from the highly publicized trial. The icing on the cake for me was the amazingly touching and reverent, though public, memorial service. The singers were genuinely hurt at the loss of a friend and icon. His children, in public for the first time in their lives, made it clear that Michael Jackson was a present and attentive father. That can't be said for too many stars these days.
Looking back, I feel I should have given Michael Jackson more of a chance. I'm prone to instantaneous idolization of attractive celebrities. They end up disappointing me nearly every time. Maybe I had it backwards this time.