Michael Jackson’s talent challenged those rules. His music and art reached beyond barriers and he earned the love of “white” fans and all coloured fans. Yes racism was something already in question at that point and hence Michael was applauded for crossing the boundaries.

About his skin colour- well, he had vitiligo and he chose to go whiter in order to balance his skin tone. At the end of the day vitiligo was only to spread and make him an albino. He had to look presetable to the world and he chose to do the easiest thing. Imagine his vitiligo skin wearing brown make up so that he looked dark.- would have been all the more weirder. And I don’t think our skin deep society would have continued to look beyond Michael Jackson’s blotchy skin if he had decided to go public with his vitiligo. And wait a minute, why there is a market for tanning solutions? Why it is okay to tan your skin tone to browner shades but what Michael did was coming under scrutiny? It’s okay to go darker- because it’s cool and hip, but it’s not okay to go paler- because it’s giving up your black identity and wanting to be white.. (as if being white is some sacred thing!!!). Again let me remind here, Michael had a skin condition!

His nose- well, in a country (here I am referring to the US of A) where most women go waxing to get rid of their natural body hair, where there are more pedicure/manicure salons than churches, Michael’s experiment with nose is criticized… Why why why? Breast enhancements are okay, slimming pills and gyms are okay, viagra is okay but Michael’s nose was not okay!!! I am sure there will be a time where plastic surgeries become as common as waxing and Michael will be quoted as an example in a positive light. What I mean to say is it’s all about society’s belief at a given point of time! Michael was surely ahead of it.

About his sexuality- watch his “the way you make me feel” performances. He is the most passionate of performers. He is the sexiest man who can seduce any woman! Then, yes he comes across shy in interviews etc. But why does it matter to the media? Why a man can’t be shy and withdrawn to the outside world and yet be passionate to the core in his space (Michael Jackson’s cherished space was his performance stages)? Again the society wants ideal males in a certain way and anything different goes under the scrutiny!

Last but not the least, his child molestation charges- Let me state it clear, he was acquitted. He was not guilty of anything. In western countries children have their own rooms and don’t sleep with the parents/elders. But I tell you in developing countries children sleep with their parents because they don’t have enough space in the house. Family bonds are more initmate in developing countries, divorces and less common, children stick to their families (I am not defending the system or criticizing the system in western countries, I am just stating the fact). The bonds are stronger there in a different fashion. Michael Jackson’s behaviour with kids was odd for the western society as it was beyond the comprehension of its viewpoint.

Yes, human in general don’t accept anything that is beyond what we believe is true. We don’t respect the differences. We don’t dare to cross boundaries easily. Some people have it in them to do so and also preach the world so. Michael did it in some cases (he was successful in a cultural crossover) but failed in other instances- perhaps his plea was not strong enough to change the world.

Nevertheless, Michael Jackson was a gift to the world of entertainment and that too a original, impeccable and precious one. And after that he was a kind and loving being who did a lot for sick kids and charity. I would remember him for that and the explanations for his media portrayed “eccentricity” I have given above are good enough for me. The whole reason I come up with explanations is that I see a pure heart in Michael’s heart that touches me beyond everything.

Very difficult to find decent critique of him as an artist however, so was glad to notice your discussion here. He has obviously used his own body as a form of art-making here, although I doubt if that was a conscious decision, as I agree that his motivations were more likely connected to his own desire to be comfortable with his appearance than an artistic expression.

Anyway I wonder, if metamorphosis was an important theme to him, could we not look at his work, his character, an obsession with ‘remaining a boy’ or NOT morphing (through puberty) into an adult male, through this prism…and could we come to understanding of him at a more interesting and deeper level than simply a freak, an arrested boy, a (possible) hebephile, et al.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0o0WCnt-I

Its interesting to revisit ‘Thriller’ at the end of his life. I think its clear that his destiny is already clear in retrospect, and that these themes were already an important part of his psyche. Unfortunately his control mechanisms and grip on reality were weak, perhaps he was too protected, too far removed from what we call ‘a real life’ to develop properly into a truly interesting artist.

I wonder…I wonder what he could have become if he hadn’t retreated into the fantasy life of neverland, and if he had chosen to become a man and not remain a boy, what he could have become.

But he didn’t. He retreated from us, himself and his art years ago, and that is indeed a true tradgedy.

The man was extraordinarily gifted as a performer! It’s so sad that his personal life was so difficult, and so public (something I’m sure he did with an eye to the publicity at the same time that he must have cringed). Andrew wrote about Jackson as an artist, something which I buy. But I would like to separate the part of Jackson that was a great artist performing for an audience from the part of Jackson that was driven to do things for his own delectation that were not so great to put in front of the eyes of the world. I guess I don’t see that part as art. I see it as sad.

You guys are both clearly more empathetic than I am.