Is the complicated legacy of Michael Jackson truly ruined?

With the release of HBO’s recent documentary, Leaving Neverland, Michael Jackson is gaining media attention, and not for the right reasons. The documentary follows the stories of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim to have been groomed and sexually abused by the pop star as children.

As always, what followed was a stream of loyal supporters berating this revelation, all unwilling to believe their idol could ever do such a thing. Maybe revelation is the wrong word, because if we are all being honest to ourselves, there was always something not quite right. Michael Jackson was a middle aged man, who openly admitted to sleeping in the same bed as children, yet in his own words he believed this to be “charming” and “sweet”. Yet, would we be okay in any other situation knowing that a man over the age of 30 was sleeping in the same bed as a 7 year old? Do we accept this as normal, just because he was Michael Jackson?

Do we accept this as normal, just because he was Michael Jackson?

Maybe, Michael sleeping in the same bed as children doesn’t ring alarm bells to you. Or, at the very least, it is true that this does not prove he was a child molester. So, what about his home, Neverland Ranch? Neverland was a 2,800 acre children’s paradise. With amusement rides, animals, toys, and a cinema — it stayed true to the fairytale-like concept of Neverland. Yet, the name Neverland also comes with sentiments of immortality and escapism. Michael Jackson lived like he had never grown up, like he was immortal, and could live in his child’s paradise forever without anyone ever knowing what was happening.

This is the place he would invite children he had taken a likening to, and have them stay for days at his ranch; what child wouldn’t want to? To have all the toys and entertainment you could ever dream of, as well as the attention of the biggest pop star in the world? For me, Michael Jackson’s home, Neverland Ranch, befalls a dark irony. For many, Neverland is associated with childhood stories and fairy tales. For these boys, if the accusations are true, Neverland becomes quite the opposite, a reminder of a loss of childhood and a place of nightmares.

For these boys, if the accusations are true, Neverland becomes quite the opposite, a reminder of a loss of childhood and a place of nightmares

Maybe even this isn’t enough to make you sceptical, but it was definitely enough to see Michael Jackson’s legacy become tainted. His songs have been taken off from the Starbucks Spotify playlist and his music banned from numerous radio stations. Artists who cover his songs have started thinking twice about doing so and statues of him, such as the one in Manchester, have been taken down. Companies and celebrities have started to take a stance, and maybe it is time for more to speak out and do the same.

Over the last decade several cases of sexual abuse, rape, child molestation, and paedophilia by celebrities have been exposed. From R Kelly to Jimmy Saville, they were able to ruin lives while gaining fans, power, and influence. It took years for these crimes to be revealed because people did not speak out. I’m not talking about the victims, but the people who knew that this was going on — the managers, the friends, and the fans. However, this bubble of protection for many of these celebrities is popping, and only by speaking out can we change this embedded cycle. This isn’t necessarily just a job for companies and celebrities, but for us too.

He allegedly took advantage of kindness, generosity and love to commit heinous acts beyond comprehension

I won’t pretend like the debate surrounding separating the art from the artist is an easy one to solve. However, for me, the name Michael Jackson now leaves me feeling incredibly uncomfortable. If he was guilty, he was able to use his power not just to sexually abuse these children, but emotionally abuse them too. He gave these children love, affection, and made them feel special. He integrated himself into their families like another son or brother. He allegedly took advantage of kindness, generosity, and love to commit heinous acts beyond comprehension.

Can we deny that an artist like Michael Jackson had talent? No. But if we were the ones who were accusing Michael Jackson of these alleged actions, would we be able to separate the art from the artist?