MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY

The Conspiracy Theory
 

Aphrodite Jones's latest book, Michael Jackson Conspiracy, asks you to examine the role of the media in altering our opinions of Michael Jackson from that of nearly unanimous admiration and respect to almost uniformly negative and biased.  This conspiracy theory, less hypothetical than based on reality, was a smear job that fed on our newfound obsession with the downfall of celebrity.

In a rare 1983 interview, Michael Jackson revealed for the cameras a vulnerable and emotionally-accessible side to himself.  What you get out of watching segments of this interview is that the magical message that has been in Michael Jackson's music, dance, and singing has remained constant.  He said in 1983 that he found inspiration for his art in wonderment, escapism, the unexpected, his environment, and children.  The only part about that magical source of his talent that has changed has been our perceptions.  How could that be?

The cause of the change of our perceptions of Michael Jackson can be attributed, in large part, to the media.  Each time that the media reported about rumors and gossip about Michael Jackson, the media exerted its influence on our sensitivities.  As early as 1983, Michael Jackson said that he believed a major influence on his success has come from the inspiration of kids.  The joy that Michael Jackson has witnessed in children is what has given him inspiration to create magic, he said.

Twenty years later, in 2003, when Martin Bashir broadcast his interview with Michael Jackson, that last statement about the inspiration of children was loaded with innuendo.  It became infected with ridicule and graduated to become the source of jokes.  Throughout the trial, which ensued from Mr. Bashir's controversial documentary, the media found that it paid in ratings to serve extra helpings of snide remarks, smirks, and condemnation in their press reports. 

The combined effect of this herd mentality has been that our observations of Michael Jackson have become tainted.  The actions of the media, if not explicitly intended, had the effect of deceiving us into believing that Michael Jackson was now "really" wierd.  In fact, by that time, the pejorative "wacko" had long since became synonymous with another unflattering nickname given him, "Jacko." 

There is no doubting that the media exerts a powerful influence in our lives.  That is its role in our society, to help shape public opinion.  But as the media became carried away in reporting salacious and tantalizing news about Michael Jackson, it began to desensitize us to the effect this was having on our own sensibility.  A pop star which the American public had become enamored with had now evolved in our minds into someone unsavory. 

Back in 1983, we didn't judge the creative sources of Michael Jackson's art the way we do now.  Over the intervening years, we now know what gave rise to this change. 

Even at the end of the day, in the lead-up to the announcement of the "NOT GUILTY" verdicts on June 13, 2005, the media were still predicting doom and gloom for the King of Pop. 

If you think it is irrational or impossible for the media to have all jumped on the same bandwagon, please review a collection of YouTube videos selected by Aphrodite Jones, which collectively illustrate the impact of this bias against Michael Jackson. 

Before you rush to judgment again, slow down and take a closer look.  Watch the segments of the rare 1983 interview.  Watch the collection of biased news reports on YouTube.  Then read Michael Jackson Conspiracy.  There was no secret about what the media was doing. 

The only thing that has changed since the 2005 verdicts has been the call to action made by Aphrodite Jones.