^I do get that, but why does she condone Joseph's behaviour today? Why didn't she do anything to stop Jermaine from beating his kids? Why did she write in her first book, and tell Margaret Maldonado as well that children need to be disciplined, with implements as per the Bible.
The idea that she was against the beatings, but coudn't do anything about it for fear of being abandoned by Joseph is not supported by the above. The above supports the idea that Katherine was a passive participant in the abuse.
Words from Katherine, taken off her first book - [/SIZE]
And there you have it. Not only did she not take whatever actions that were available to her, to spare her children, but she
NEVER took responsibility for it, or any sort of accountability. The family myth CONTINUES to be, "
those were spankings, not beatings." Wasn't Randy arrested for spousal-abuse? And Jermaine has said he beat his own children? THAT is the pattern that must be broken. I can't see that Katherine has changed or grown at all, in that regard. It is VERY possible to say that "
Katherine was an enabler." And I say it again, and hold absolutely firm on that. it's quite a classic situation, and very, very sad. We DO have a lot of information, including Michael's words, and
Katherine's own words, in her book. I choose to believe Michael; Katherine's words show that she never did understand her responsibility, and probably never will.
And for the poster who said, "
We didn't witness what went on, so we can't really know?" If all we knew was what we
personally witnessed, and every other piece of information was discounted because we didn't? We'd be back in the Stone Ages. Michael SAID he was abused as a child, and gave details. I do think we should BELIEVE him.
Above all, Michael's life was all about saving, protecting, and healing CHILDREN. He was extraordinarily empathetic toward children, due to his own losses and pain in his childhood. That WAS his message. And yes, Katherine WAS an "enabler." (as my
own mother was -- very, VERY similar. I can understand, and even forgive to some extent, but I will forever believe that she was WRONG.) This thread is surprisingly discouraging, and doesn't bode very well for any sort of future where children are protected. "
Save the children!" WAS Michael's message. I really hope we can find a way to understand that . . . . .
A mother lion would DIE to protect her cubs if necessary. Katherine was NO mother lion.
An enabler in a situation of child-abuse is the one, usually the mother, who says "don't tell." This could be for reasons of her economic security, or for fear of being beaten too, or for other reasons. This creates a toxic climate in a household, where all are "keepers of the secret." It's a "secret" that does profound
damage, and often in a generational way. I know from EXPERIENCE, ok? And I'm not sure many of you in here really DO? As adults, child survivors of abuse may have self-esteem issues; they may gravitate toward abusive situations because that seems "normal." They may suffer from PTSD, and yes they may have SLEEP issues. Despite knowing better, I have done ALL of the above, and so have others in my family. And, the damage goes on, and on, and on. It CAN be mitigated, but never really goes away. The first -- FIRST step -- in true healing is
accountability. If not from the abuser, then from the "enabler." Almost always, it takes TWO, and one is the co-dependent. Usually the mother.
When Michael sang "Heal the World," he revealed,
again, his great love of children. In his bedroom, after his death, a post-it note was found, "No violence. EVER." His siblings apparently were not as strong, insightful, or empathetic as he was. The Jackson family history and legacy is FAR from the "American Dream" movie that glosses everything over.
Katherine has NEVER taken responsibility in any sort of public way, and continues to uphold the myth, "It wasn't that bad." But, I believe Michael, that it WAS that bad. The religion, the era, the culture, the lack of social services -- all those explain why she didn't take action, back then. I feel there is NO excuse possible, for not taking action since then. Just imagine what a force she could be for healing, for children, in the WORLD, if she would just speak out? But, she doesn't. She lies to herself, and she lies to the public in her "it wasn't that bad" statements. The beat will go on, until some brave people STOP the generational damage and tell the TRUTH.
Adult victims of childhood abuse, if they are women, in particular, may have RADAR for duplicating that same situation through marriage. And then, their own children find themselves in abusive situations (I am a mother, and thankfully, I did not DO this. But, many women DO.) The children grow up and repeat the pattern, endlessly, unless someone finally breaks it. Michael spoke out to SHOW us how important the children are, and how important the formative years of childhood are. Just imagine the GOOD Katherine could have done, if she'd come clean. But she didn't, and I doubt she ever will.
There is no "excuse " POSSIBLE for a mother who allows her children to be abused. "Explanations?" Sure. But EXCUSE. No, there isn't. And yes, I DO speak from direct experience.
This thread has taken a very disappointing turn, and it's obvious that some simply have not understood the incredible damage that child abuse can cause.
