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I have been following the death of Michael Jackson, and not only it [possibly] illustrates the death of another celebrity from prescription medications, but it also shows the importance of childhood abuse and neglect, and how the jerks who perpetuate it get off scott free.
Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, used to watch them rehearse and beat them with a belt if they did something wrong. He would trip them and push them into walls. One time he picked up Michael by one leg and beat him on the buttocks and legs. He took the proceeds of the Jackson 5 for himself. Just looking at Michael’s behavior as an adult it is obvious that he was a victim of childhood abuse.
But then, just in case you were unsure about this jerk, when interviewed by CNN after his son’s death, he said “we’re fine” and then went on to glibly promote his own new record company, taking advantage of the opportunity to be on the camera to promote his own business!
If this man doesn’t crawl under a rock, someone should suggest it to him strongly.
Joe Jackson is beyond redemption
Here is Joe Jackon with the Rev. Jesse Jackon (no relation?) after Michael’s death outside his home. I always thought that Rev Jackson was a twit. What is he a Reverend of anyway? The religion of his own ego?
Jessie Jackson and Joe Jackson (the father) laughing outside the home of Michael Jackson after his death.
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thats extremely sad. they are at least supposed to keep their teeths inside on this sensitive and sad occasion.
Michael Jackson revealed quite a bit about his childhood both on the ‘Oprah’ TV show some time ago, as well as the music video channel, VH1
Abuse or not, Doug, and for all his formidable talents, Michael was pretty narcissistic, too. Like his father. And, from the sound of it, his mother, too.
I’m that that even without the maltreatment, he might have inherited whatever brain traits (low empathy, grandiosity, etc.) contributed to that narcissism — just wouldn’t have been able to afford it on the grand shopaholic scale that he did.
Sorry for typo…should have read, “I’m betting that even without the maltreatment…”
Thanks for a different insight. I have always felt pain when looking at Michael Jackson. I never knew a lot about his background, but the pain showed on his face. It made me wince in pain to see that in him.
that sort of narcissism can develop because of the kind of abuse and emotional neglect he was subjected to Gina…
I put Andrew Sullivan’s piece on my blog which I think said it all best.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/06/thinking-about-michael.html
we don’t take responsibility for what we do to one another at our peril. our culture is sick…not our bodies, not our genes…
I am a bit conflicted about the implied criticism of the laughing dudes in the photo. My grandfather died when I was about 8 years old and the extended family gathered at our house. Us kids were banished outside to “play” while the adults got on with their grief. For years, we whispered to each other about the frequent sounds of laughter we heard from inside the house–we were told not to whoop and holler outside because we were “in mourning” but the adults were yukking it up inside? It was many years later that I learned that all grief is not tears and wailing; there is a place for laughter too.
We are a society that does not know well how to grieve; please don’t muck it up any more by implying that one can’t smile or laugh during a time of sorrow.
That being said, I agree that Jackson Senior has much to answer for for the mistreatment of all of his kids, and the shameless plugging of his newest venture at this time was really tacky.
InTheWild,
I hear you…we laughed a lot while my brother died as we sat vigil around his bed for 72 hours and after he died too…it’s human…and it’s a gift at times of great mourning.
And I thought the same as you…all the things about Joe Jackson may be true…but laughing after a loss does not mean one is messed up…
my brothers loss was the most painful thing I’ve ever had to deal with. I still weep deeply at times a whole year and a half later…but we had some good laughs at strange times while he was dying and right after…
Gianna wrote: that sort of narcissism can develop because of the kind of abuse and emotional neglect he was subjected to Gina…
—-
I’m sure that’s true sometimes, though I don’t know that we have solid research (not that double-blind research is the gold standard for everything). But plenty of people are abused and do NOT become narcissistic. What is the difference? We don’t really know, but genetic studies are starting to give us some clues. Check out the studies and see what you think.
More importantly, before you counter what I wrote, please try to read it: “Even without the maltreatment in childhood, Michael could well have turned out narcissistic.”
Pathology obviously runs in the family. So does great talent. Joe Jackson was smart and driven enough to get that family on that map. Michael was smart and driven in other ways. In many ways, they might be very much alike.
Anyone who thinks that the brain that influenced Joe Jackson’s behavior could not have been passed down, neurogenetically (at least in part) to Michael, well, that’s just ignoring biology. We do that at our peril.
Gianna wrote: we don’t take responsibility for what we do to one another at our peril. our culture is sick…not our bodies, not our genes…
—-
Ummmm, and what do you suppose influences culture?
JOE, JESSE AND SHARPTION ARE ALL PIGS AND SHOULD DROP DEAD.
Amen to this post! Why does pathological protoplasm proliferate while healthy genes get squeezed? My opinion, for what it is worth? Managed Care has squashed the diagnosis and treatment interventions for Axis II, which is basically therapy if the patient has any true interest in change. I think I see more cluster B features misdiagnosed as Bipolar and it just gets more twisted as ignorant colleagues ram polypharmacy down these people’s throats. Narcissism and antisocial traits are more pervasive in community mental health these days, and no one wants to diagnose it.
I don’t know if you would agree, but if a drug came out that improved insight and judgment, we’d be out of a job.
He doesn’t deserve to be a father. It’s beyond words how low he actually is as a person to promote his business using his son, even after death for greed – what a TOTAL prick ! He should not get off for his actions over the years.
Tales of the abuse meted out by Joe are rife, and come not only from Michael, but LaToya (and Janet?), too. Let’s assume that they’re true, which is all we can do, seeing as we weren’t there. I wonder what Joe sought to achieve by this action? Was he trying to motivate his kids to greater effort? I suppose he would argue that he achieved that, at least, and thus his actions were justified, although that might be a classic example of the end justifying the means (if the means look dubious, I’d be inclined to question the end, too).
Anyway, Joe’s world is structured in the patriarchal style, where his word may never be gainsaid, and punishment (proportionate or otherwise), is at his whim. This probably means that his children have been programmed to agree with him, no matter what. Or else. Family get togethers must be tedious, with everybody waiting on Joe to say something or other, before agreeing with him, slavishly!
Matt
skillsnotpills’ ignorance is telling on this score:
“I don’t know if you would agree, but if a drug came out that improved insight and judgment, we’d be out of a job.”
In fact, there are currently medications that vastly improve insight and judgment for some patients. Too bad you don’t know about them — and even worse for your patients.
If it’s so beneficial why don’t you share the information here, Anonymous, so people don’t have to suffer from the ignorance of their doctors in not wanting to drug them with meds that have serious physical and mental adverse reactions.
Maybe we should just pass a law to get meds in the drinking water so that everyone including doctors will have greater insight. After all, people don’t know how to walk with their feet, and there is an overabundance of people who can’t find doctors to prescribe drugs. America is undermedicated.
You must be on one of the drugs that gives people better insight, making you more qualified than skillsnotpills.
I am just curious if you are one of those types who thinks it’s ok to keep experimenting with patients until they find “the right med” or if you think one encounter with homicidality or suicidality would be sufficient reason to stop playing with fire. And how do you determine ahead of time if someone is going to have improved insight and judgment rather than sucidality or violence?
I’m guessing you’re either not a doctor, or you’re a patient who is upset about the information you’re hearing about these drugs, or you have some sort of financial incentive to encourage them to others.
Tell us, oh wise anonymous, which of these meds directly improve insight and judgment, so all of us ignorant and naive doctors can improve our patients by the end of the week?
What an ignorant and clueless comment on your part. And thank you to Ms Philo for her reply as well. It is pharma lackies who say these stupid things to try to get innocent patients to jump on these band wagons headed for cliffs.
Clarification: if insight and judgment is impaired due to an Axis 1 illness like depression or psychosis, the mood or thought disorder will improve, not by the meds alone mind you, but make one amenable to be more proactive and responsible AGAIN, but if one was lacking in insight and judgment prior, I don’t think it is going to magically appear because one took a pill.
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