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The French call it "je ne sais quoi", English for "I don't know what it is". Some call it charisma, magnetism or charm; Ronald Riggio, the famous professor of leadership theory, says it is a combination of "expressivity, sensitivity, control, eloquence, vision and self-confidence". But whatever it is and however it is defined, Michael Jackson had it abundantly in his works. There is little doubt that he was the world's most famous entertainer and that his reach was universal, rendering him one of the icons of the 20th century.
However, with such fame and symbolism came controversy and an obvious and spectacular element of sin. But this article isn't dealing with the aforementioned issues, but trying to understand the various social, economic and psychological dimensions in the life of an iconic man to hundreds of millions. People like Michael Jackson, though responsible for their deeds, are the products and victims of communities, societies and families that fail in their responsibilities – and in these cases are a warning and incentive to all of us.
Case One: Abused as a Child
Michael Jackson was abused, as a child, by his father. Abuse took the form of beatings with whips and wires, being thrown against the wall for making typical child mistakes, enduring constant beltings on the back and other deranged forms of discipline. There is a noted example of his father wearing a terror mask and entering upon his sons' bedroom screaming, terrifying and awakening them for the mistake of leaving their window open at night. According to John Taraborrelli, who wrote a biography of Michael Jackson, such incidents contributed to the intense nightmares and panic attacks that Michael constantly had in his childhood and which compounded in adulthood.
The effects of an overly-aggressive father, in the childhood of a child, depress and retard natural emotional and mental growths. The unrestrained force of an authority, like a parent, contributes to inhibited capacities of trust, intimacy, security and confidence. Furthermore, the lack of communication with an approachable father-figure means that natural benefits such as intelligence, reasoning and other essential cognitive skills are often not attained to potential.
One who sees Michael Jackson in interview would immediately realise the absolute timidness and shyness of his rhetoric and tone; such was the extent of his defensive character, that many would describe it of an extreme feminine form. A journalist from the LA Times, Robert Hilburn, claims that Michael "wrestled with a Bambi-like shyness". Such an extreme case of timidness, in diametric opposition to his stage persona, must be correlated with a childhood of terror and fear.
Case Two: Deprived of Childhood
"Peter Pan to me represents something that is very special in my heart, youth, childhood, never growing up, magic, flying… I am Peter Pan"- Michael Jackson, at the age of 43.
Michael Jackson never experienced the elements of an ordinary childhood. He, because of his talents and abilities, was burdened with rehearsals, expectations and commitments from the age of five. At the age of ten, Michael was performing on television and facing the scrutiny of an unrelenting critic culture that evaluated his every performance and dubbed him a 'future star'. Such realities, combined with the harshness of his father, constituted a complex burden that deprived Michael of the essential communication, relationship and trust components necessary in life.
The absence of a childhood often means that an adult, in age, may have an abnormally strong tendency towards childhood activities that compensate for undeveloped traits and unexpressed feelings. Michael Jackson repeatedly and constantly demonstrated an association with an unresolved childhood; examples include taking Peter Pan and cartoon characters as role models, erecting amusement park rides in his Neverland Mansion, keeping exotic pets like monkeys, and having a personal magician to keep him entertained. Additionally, he had a strong association with children and young celebrities, which ultimately contributed to the child molestation charges against him – of which he was acquitted.
Case Three: The Problems of Celebrity Culture and the Capitalistic Form
The capitalist system requires that the human skill or talent be dissociated from the underlying human emotion and condition. The reason for this separation, between the skill and the self, is so the exploitative machine of capitalism – which carries great considerations for production – can be as 'efficient' a system as possible. It is for these reasons that mentally deranged individuals are not only allowed to continue in their production of 'art', but are exploited by a celebrity culture where eccentricity drives another sub-industry (gossip magazines and celebrity television).
There was absolutely no intervention in the life of Michael Jackson on the part of social services that could have contained or resolved his psychological troubles. Rather, these troubles were later exasperated and exploited, by many, to constitute an aura of exoticness and surrealism to his later albums and latest 'comeback tour'. Such is the working of a well-oiled exploitative machine that even obvious shortcomings and flaws are utilised in marketing. Only in a fundamentally flawed system are notoriety and crime celebrated as means of production; hip-hop gangs, athletes with aggressive and arrogant dispositions, and gangland and Mafia personnel are all adopted as ideal personalities by many mega corporations – thus contributing to a decimation of the moral fabric of society.
Furthermore, and because of the capitalist compartmentalisation of 'skill' and 'self', fans were easily able to distinguish between Jackson's works and his condition – for one was 'impressive' and the other was 'interesting'. The result was a man who lived as a lonely wreck in the midst of a system that sought his music, thrived in his eccentricities and news, but didn't have time, interest or legal and cultural obligation in resolving his troubles.
Case Four: Racism and Ideal Cultures
"I used to not look at myself, I would wash my face in the dark, I wouldn’t want to look in the mirror, my father teased me, and I just hated it…" – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is said to have had body dysmorphic disorder, where the affected individual constantly frets over what may be perceived to be problems in appearance. This complex is associated with adults whose childhood was inundated with criticism and isolation – which Jackson endured due to his family situation.
However, another factor is to be found in the racial context of the United States of America. As one commentator put it, " Jackson became the poster child of black self hatred in the black community". It is said that Jackson dissociated from the 'Black Pride' movement that swept the seventies and eighties, and instead sought the 'perfection' of whiteness that could compensate for his deep-rooted mental and physical insecurities.
American society has constantly, be it intentionally or unintentionally, posited Anglo-Saxon whiteness as the ideal culture and appearance – a 'poster ideal' of success, power and wealth that is rooted in 240 years of slavery and ninety years of segregation in the streets and towns of America. From that basis, an inferiority complex ensues amongst minority communities that either rebel from the 'ideal culture and race' or aspire to assimilate into it. Michael Jackson, as an African American, of exceptionally weak character, attempted to assimilate by undertaking the most extreme of measures – in trying to become white-looking.
Conclusion
This extremely complex man was a product of his context. To look at Jackson as an individual born out of a landscape that was 'better than him' is fallacious. If anything, this tragic life is a representation of a far-reaching culture. It is depraved constructs that create the celebrity pedestal, put their victims on it, stone them with rocks and then mourn their tragic end. For that reason, it is essential that we strive to save people and communities from the transgression they commit against themselves. The world of celebrity is amongst the darkest manifestations of disbelief and corruption; hence, it is a fertile land for Da'wah, and our leaders and preachers must find ways to make the most of it.
Finally, if Michael died upon the creed of Islam, as many credible Imams have claimed, may Allah shower mercy on him and all of those who preceded us in death and who were upon the guidance of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Source: Al-Firdaus News |
