The Man in the Mirror: Michael Jackson. Can we see ourselves in Michael?

I loved Michael, from the Jackson 5 right up till the end. I absolutely adored him. I never believed he was guilty of child abuse, simple because he was too much of a child himself, he seemed to be trying to create the childhood,the innocence he never experienced, I believe he as asexual.    Or, at best, confused.  Emulating his sister via numerous dangerous Plastic Surgery procedures was a symptomfor me. I think like Maryln Monroe,and other 'Icons' when he got the adulation of the Fans, the success he craved, he simply could not cope with it, and withdrew, more and more into himself.

  It was not a panacea for a horrible childhood, thrown into showbiz at such an early age. Not allowed to be 2nd best or fail.  I believe he did not realise his true genius or talent, and most of all, his vulnerability and his loveability.  Michael, though that he needed to look a certain way, to be at the top of the charts etc, to be loved. His attempts at relationships, were sadly flawed.   Those who knew him, loved him.

there is a lesson for me here, there is a lesson for anyone who runs away from pain, emotional distress via tablets,alcohol, or endless affairs, materialism, at the end of the day... when the glitter is gone and the make-up is off... theres only us, and the man in the mirror. god bless u Michael

This time I fully agree with you Merely Me, I agree that emotional pains and inability to cope are behind much of the mental illness in our world today. Of course they may be pure biological cases no one disputes this and, moreover, mental illness always becomes partly a biological disorder as years go by. 

 

But research clearly demonstrates that emotional pains due to trauma make up the great percentage of mental illness. I had an alcoholic father and this is the reason for my Bipolar 1 the trauma endured during childhood. He was a violent alcoholic and a child should not see or go through what I went through. This trauma cannot be cured by medication alone and if I was like Michael Jackson I too would have started to take medication to suppress my emotional pains. But I did not do this.Of course Michael had other problems such as the fact that he was a pop star and the media that tormented him.

 

Micheal Jackson was a talented artist even a gifted one but as far as a person he was undeveloped. He wanted love a love that was never enough since when we miss out as children we can never fill the black hole of  missing love and understanding.This lack of love remains with us. It is up to us to find the strength to help ourselves, to understand what happened and to have the intelligence to save ourselves.

 

Michael Jackson needed a true friend to tell him off to chick him up his back side and to tell him where he was going wrong. Probably no one had the guts to do this. And it is the same on this site and Bipolar Connect. There are many Michael Jacksons here who need a good cick (in a nice way) to show them that they are following the wrong path.

 

Medication alone has never, and will never, fix emotional problems endured during childhood. It may mask the problems and suppress them for a while but that is it.

 

 

I like this post and it is good to find out that maybe I had misunderstood you.

 

 

Alfredo

I always enjoyed Michael's music and was sorry that he just couldn't love himself.  But there's one thing I'll always remember when I hear his music.  When my now 30-year-old son was 4, one evening we had guests for dinner and he and his older brother left the table.  A little while later, the older one brought out a boom box after dressing up the younger one with bandanas around his head and one ankle, wearing one glove and using some device for a microphone.  The older one turned on "Billie Jean" and out jumped my little autistic son into the living room, who lip synched the whole thing - it was the only time I've ever seen him dance.  It brought tears to my eyes.  He's embarrassed now if we bring it up, but I know he still enjoys MJ's music, especially the "Thriller" album.  If it could make him dance, I know it was magic.

Will be remembered for a long time. He is a proven artist time and again. I would have loved to met him and just talk to him, maybe learn what truelly made him different from so many. I think that aside from that society gets a little too star crazy and puts someone like michael way to high on the ladder. I didnt know Michael personally so I'm not going to call him a call him something that the press blows out of proportion. I think that everyone has a responsibility. I mean I wouldnt let my child stay the night at his house. That is giving in to a really odd situation and being ignorant

 

Pat

This article is spot on.  He was a phenominal artist.  However, I always felt a little sorry for him.  He just seemed so unhappy to me.  At least now, he is no longer in pain and for that I'm glad.

He was just like all of us.  He had his gift; each of us has a gift, too.  He was human and vulnerable as are each of us. Good post.

why do i feel the same exact way he felt. i know for a fact that i have agoraphobia and i sometimes deal with life in fantasy. straight up, this is the first for me to say this. Man, Michael Jackson i miss you.

I don't usually have comments for websites, but I am so sad by the passing of Michael Jackson, I just had to make a remark.  From what I have read and seen about Michael as a young child and then into his teen and young adult life is the same everywhere. It talks about his father Joe physically abusing him and verbally abusing him about his appearance and God only knows what else.  No one that I have heard has ever brought up the question of whether Michael may also have been sexually abused. I mean like child molestation.  He was so very cute, and exposed to many adults and many situations growing up.  I wonder if something may have occured to him on one occasion or possibly ongoing situations by adult males in his life.(or just one ongoing significant male?)  This MAY have caused Michaels seemingly depressed state. I've seen his face in so many pictures, and he just looks sad. This may also be the reason that he wanted to be around young boys when he grew up.  He may have been acting out some kind of fantasy over and over, about how he would have wanted to be treated. It could also explain why he never seemed to be able to have a relationship with women. He could have been made to feel so guilty about sex he didn't know which way to go sexually. I myself was sexually molested as a young child and it effected me my whole life.  Different ways of acting towards relationships etc. some depression, etc. I've also had addiction issues throughout my adult life, mostly with alcohol and cigaretes, but in it's own way has slowly been killing me like addiction killed Micheal.  I know in my heart that what I was doing was bad for me, but it didn't seem to matter because my heart was so hurt by things that happened to me in life. I wonder if the same thing happened to Michael? Life can be a heavy thing to some people, especially those with tender hearts. Thank you

Because Michael Jackson endured child abuse at hands of a parent, the message he got was he was not worthy of love and of no value. This dictated every move in life he made.Seeking aproval form outside sources. Children learn self-esteem from the first teachers in their lives,the parents.He seemed to have no one to teach him lessons to survive life. Basically used by someone who needed to feel important! Forcing their will upon him! Fame and success are good, but what's the point if you're miserable and have no peace of mind?! Society needs to lean not to put this kind of strain one someone ( we say)we love. Stop "talking" about love and "show" true love! we dehumanized Michael,once that happened he was in danger. If he had been treated like he had feelings,he might still be here with us,and peacefully so. He worked so hard for acceptance,not knowing that he already had it. Namely from The Almighty God, The Lord Jesus!Whom he really wanted and sought. He sought in people the love and peace that can only be gotten of God. His love for other people was great,but (maybe) never learned to love Michael. Michael was special not because of his gifts or talents,but because he created and loved by the Lord Jesus! Peace to his family. No more fears or worries now,Dearest Michael.You are truly loved!

Because Michael Jackson endured child abuse at hands of a parent, the message he got was he was not worthy of love and of no value. This dictated every move in life he made.Seeking aproval form outside sources. Children learn self-esteem from the first teachers in their lives,the parents.He seemed to have no one to teach him lessons to survive life. Basically used by someone who needed to feel important! Forcing their will upon him! Fame and success are good, but what's the point if you're miserable and have no peace of mind?! Society needs to lean not to put this kind of strain one someone ( we say)we love. Stop "talking" about love and "show" true love! we dehumanized Michael,once that happened he was in danger. If he had been treated like he had feelings,he might still be here with us,and peacefully so. He worked so hard for acceptance,not knowing that he already had it. Namely from The Almighty God, The Lord Jesus!Whom he really wanted and sought. He sought in people the love and peace that can only be gotten of God. His love for other people was great,but (maybe) never learned to love Michael. Michael was special not because of his gifts or talents,but because he created and loved by the Lord Jesus! Peace to his family. No more fears or worries now,Dearest Michael.You are truly loved!