Leaving neverland Opinion Column
With so many celebrity stories of sexual misconduct, it’s hard to know what to believe. Especially with someone like Michael Jackson, who has been perceived by so many as innocent and childlike. However, the other side of the coin is that these “childlike” mannerisms were the product of a very damaged and difficult life. It’s only logical to consider a darker side of any individual who’s suffered this much. Wade Robson and James Safechuck have recently come forward with accusations that Michael had raped them as kids. For many it was taken very seriously, as these things are and should be. Others though, have found it too hard to believe and have taken it a step further, defending the late idol. Among the many crashing waves of the MeToo movement, it was no surprise these accusations made it to the top of Hollywood’s tabloids. It falls into the discretion of the viewer then to say whether it holds that much validity. It’s arguable that these men waited too long for their claims to be valid and that they're obviously “clout-chasing” or looking for a paper trail. In contrary, this outlook is problematic because if we treat one case like this - no matter who it’s against - then it becomes easy for people to use that defense for any rape accusation. Many women have waited great lengths of time before coming forward with accusations against their own attackers. So why should it be taken less seriously if it’s a man coming forward? It’s hard to take Wade Robson seriously though. This isn't the first time he’s been called to the stand to testify against the king of pop. During a trial against michael in 2005, Robson was called to the stand as the first witness. At the time, he fought the accusations, saying that Michael never touched him and would never do a thing like that. This damages his credibility because whether he was honest the first time or the second, it still looks like he’s guilty of perjury. To make things even more difficult to wrap your head around, it wouldn't be the first time Michael’s been falsely accused of child rape. The first case, in 1993 was Evan Chandler, claiming Michael had raped his son, Jordan. A recorded phone call between Evan and his lawyer proved that this accusation was false. Furthermore, Jordan Chandler the alleged victim at the time, was emancipated at age 14 after claims his father Evan, had beat him. Just weeks after Michael’s death in 2009, Evan was found dead from suicide. Gavin Arvizo who was struggling with cancer when Michael befriended him, came forward with his mother and siblings to testify against Michael in 2005. The accusation was child molestation, but later after finding out the mother, Janet, had previously committed fraud and perjury, it was discovered that the Arvizos too, were just after Michael’s money. Both of the boys who came forward before Robson and Safechuck were being controlled by their families to extort Michael. It may seem obvious then that history would repeat itself, and nothing could be done about it this time because the late popstar is no longer alive to defend himself. However, this might not necessarily be true either. In their HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland, Robson and Safechuck open up emotionally and speak graphically of the acts Michael did to them as children. They said that Michael had paid them to keep the secret and even brainwashed them to forget. Macaulay Culkin, a lifelong friend of the famed musician, has stood by his word though to say that Michael is by no mean a pedophile but in fact, much like a child himself. This makes sense because his own childhood was robbed of him by his abusive father, to perform in the Jackson Five. Being a child at heart doesn’t mean he might not have been capable of these acts though. Although there seems to be overwhelming evidence that Robson and Safechuck could be lying for whatever reason, the fact of the matter is there’s no real proof. It would be worse though if they were lying because then it would set a precedent that could irreparably damage the MeeToo movement, especially for the victims who are men. For now it lies in the eye of the beholder, for what you, the reader, believe to be true.
References & Recommendations
Hey Lorence. I really enjoyed this article. I have always heard about Micheal Jackson's cases but never really looked into it. I like how in this column you touched base on how sexual assault should always be taken seriously, even in Hollywood. And your take on both sides of it. Unfortunately in this case the two boys parents were just after Micheal's money, which is awful to lie about that. I loved the way you finished off the column with, "for now it lies in the eye of the beholder, for what you, the reader, believe to be true."
ReplyDelete