Re: Paris Jackson to appear on Ellen - December 8th (Begins acting career)
Based on what I've seen, and only that, I dont have any doubt the kids are happy. But, as kids, they also have no idea how manipulated they are by their own family. And there's no doubt in my mind they are. In a way, I'm glad they cant see it, it would be devastating. I'm not talking precisely about this project because I dont know enough about it yet.
Based on what I've seen, the kids seem happy, brave and confident to me too. Isn't being happy the thing Michael wanted the most for his kids. Then, why are so many here act like the kids are suffering? Yes, they are followed by paparazzi (which isn't exactly new to them, they were followed by paps when Michael was alive), they receive inappropriate tweets (which isn't that unusual this day and age, many other regular teenagers get bullied on-line too), they appeared on severeal public events (depends on the event, some fans cheer about their apperance in some events.) So, in many ways, these teenagers are just living life like many other teenagers do, chasing their dreams like many other teenagers do and they are doing the best that they could. Why are we acting like their guardian is doing a horrible job when Prince and Paris are thriving? Look at some contestants of x-factor, would we call parents of Rachel Crow (13 year-old), Astro (13 year-old) and Drew (14 year-old) selling their kids?
I dont think Michael had any idea how his mother would act with his kids. It's only a personal feeling because I would never pretend to know what he thought. I see what he said he wanted for his children and what she did when he passed, and to me it's the absolute opposite. I only believe he had an image of his mother, like we all have. I also believe he worked hard on preserving the public image of his family (and he was the only one actually of the said family), and no one knows what he truly felt or thought deep inside. I have a deep feeling that KJ is letting the kids in the hands of her other children, aka Latoya. Not because she doesnt care, but because she's simply too old to take care of 3 young kids.
Yes, we all have an image of our mothers. To me, my mother is my everything. If some total strangers criticize her or call her names, I would be beyond upset. But, would I think my mother is my everything if she neglected me, abused me or allowed others to abuse me? Guess not. To Michael, his mother is a saint. Does it make sense that Michael still thought his mother is a saint and trusted his children to her if Katherine was less than loving and caring? We are talking about his children, Michael's world and everything, would he trust his children to Katherine for the sake of "preserving a public image of his family"?
As for Michael's life, we'll never know what would have happened. But, honestly, it was not such a manichean situation; it was not sacrifice your childhood or be poor. You can still make your kid practise hard (without terrorizing them btw) and allow them time to have fun too. You dont have to send your very young boy play in strip clubs until late hours for example. As a mother, it's your job to protect him from that kind of stuff. I never understood how such a religious person could allow that.
It all comes down to saying extreme suffering makes you great, but is it worth it? I dont know. Only Michael could answer.
I'm not suggesting it's either having no childhood or being poor. As a matter of fact, there were many factors behind Michael's success. But, working hard (extremely hard) is one of the reasons for Michael's success. Ever heard about the "10,000 hours theory" - no master can become a master without at least 10,000 hours of practice under his belt. Bill Joy, the cofounder of Sun Microsystem, would stay in the computer lab from dusk till dawn for years. Bill Gates would go to the computer lab in University of Washington at 3 am to work on programming when he's 15 - 16 year-old.
As for sending a young boy to a strip club to play, it's wrong from our perspectives. But, have you ever considered it from Katherine's perspective? We are talking about a black family of 10 in Gary, Indiana, in the 60's. Katherine saw how the boys in the neighborhood got into trouble or how bleak the outlook was for so many other families. What would you do if you were in her shoes? I'm not giving her excuse (I have to be clear), but I can't deny that she may mean well in her heart.
When I was about 6 year-old, my mom would force me to use chopsticks to move a bowl of glass balls from one bowl to another bowl before letting me have my meals. I remember it took me a painfully long time to accomplish the task before I could eat. Her friends would call her crazy or cruel. But, she did that to me because she realized I didn't hold my chopsticks correctly and she wanted me to hold them right. She can't hold chopsticks correctly herself and she didn't want me to repeat her mistake. My point is what may sound cruel to some may indeed have a good intention behind the action.
Yes, great success is always a result of great suffering. Is it worth it? Michael actually answered the question himself. He said he would not do it another way.
