So far as I can tell there is no solid evidence that Michael Jackson was involved in child abuse. He enjoyed the company of children and sought to compensate for having missed out on a normal childhood of his own. As he was rich others thought they could cash in on this eccentricity. Of course we will never know the truth for certain but surely there should be a presumption of innocence for the dead as well as the living.
The whiff of suspicion has been enough for politicians to exercise restraint in their tributes. But what was Michael Jackson political message, if any? He was honoured by President Ronald Reagan for allowing his song Beat It to be used in a campaign against drug and alcohol addiction.
But really Jackson was focused on providing entertainment. The Earth Song reflected a concern for animal welfare and the environment. There was Ben with emotional theme about a pet rat. Perhaps the most politically significant song was his number hit Black or White. It pounded out the lyrics: "It don't matter if you're black or white" and "I'm not going to spend my life being a colour." A laudable sentiment. Also a far better message for an integrated harmonious country where individual merit counts than the dreary sectional resentments peddled by both the BNP and the Diversity Officers.
