The “Man in the Mirror” may be facing more than his reflection. Michael Jackson faces serious charges and possibly jail time for seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. He is free on $3 million bail, pending his arraignment.
While some people are able to separate music from media, others question his morality.
Despite the charges, Jackson’s family and fans have decided to stand by him.
“We love you and we know you love Michael,” said Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson Monday in an emotional statement to the fans of the international pop star.
Jackson’s family is expecting major backing from fans all over the world. Today there will be a support gathering during the pop star’s arraignment in Santa Maria, Calif.
Jermaine Jackson said his brother is innocent; “One thousand percent innocent.” However, after the 45-year-old “King of Pop” admitted on national television that he saw nothing wrong with sleeping in the same bed as young boys, people outside of his immediate family began to question Jackson’s sanity and morality.
“Anytime someone has money and they’re black, people are going to try and bring them down,” Shawndel Daniel said.
Daniel, 22, a freshman physical education student from Montclair, N.J., said the case is a reflection of society’s racism.
Daniel said when white people do something wrong, the media gives only a snippet of the information, but when black people do something similar, the problem is magnified.
“They just want us to fail.”
Daniel admitted he is a fan and said he believes Jackson is innocent. “I hope he didn’t do anything. The man is a legend.”
Legend or not, Michelle Miller, 23, said Jackson is finally getting what he deserves.
“He did it. He’s been playing with those little boys since day one,” said the senior business administration student from Daytona.
Miller said the public’s interest is intensified by Jackson’s popularity.
“It comes with the territory,” said Miller. “People take the negative and run with it.”
Jackson is just one of several entertainers who have been in the limelight lately for immoral misconduct. However, some people still don’t mind supporting their favorite artists. Miller said although she is not a Jackson fan, she would buy his music if she was.
“I think it depends on the individual and how they feel about the person. I still buy R. Kelly’s music and we all know what he did,” Miller said.
Aquilla Nimmons, 19, a sophomore elementary education student from Fort Lauderdale, said she’s unsure about whether Jackson is innocent, but added that he should be more cautious of what he says to the public.
“By him saying that he sleeps with kids, (it) only gives ground to make people think he is guilty,” said Nimmons. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
Contact Tiffany Pitts at PittsTiffany@hotmail.com.