Is Joe Jackson really grieving?
Why some critics think Michael Jackson's father isn't handling his son's death appropriately
Joe Jackson at the BET awards on Sunday
(Sara De Boer/Retna Ltd./Corbis)
Michael Jackson's father is as "cold as ice," said Lauren Monica in Daily Kos. On the BET awards red carpet Sunday night, Joe Jackson was interviewed about his son's death (watch the interview), but he seemed only interested in Michael's legacy as a "superstar"—not once did he refer to MJ as his "beloved son," or even as his son, for that matter. And just two days after Michael's death, the Jackson patriarch seemed "to have a great time at the BET awards instead of grieving." Unbelievable.
Joe Jackson's antics at the BET awards were "just awful," said Gawker. Not only did he display "indifference over the recent death of his son," he even had the gall to plug "some Blu-Ray disc he's peddling." His behavior was absolutely "cringe-worthy," and made you want to grab him, "slap him across his face a few times and shake him vigorously while screaming, 'What the hell is wrong with you old man!'"
Look, Joe Jackson is clearly grieving, said Kyle Anderson in MTV.com, and he wasn't exactly "in high spirits" at the BET awards. He expressed concerns "over the final moments of his son's life, especially the circumstances and people surrounding the incident." And he took responsibility as the family's patriarch immediately following his son's death, and has "stressed that his and his family's primary priority was the care of Michael's three children."
Joe Jackson may have been closer to Michael than people realize, said FOXNews.com. Although it was widely believed that "the singer was distant from his family," Joe Jackson had reportedly "seen his son shortly before his death," and Michael "spoke with his mother Katherine quite regularly," which is more than can be said for MJ's eight siblings—none of them had talked to their brother recently.
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39 Comments
Posted by john, Monday, June 29, 2009, 1:22 pm Real nice your son just dies and you to go to the BET awards show really grieving aren't you? what a puke!
Posted by Unknown, Monday, June 29, 2009, 1:22 pm Watching Joe Jackson at the BET Awards made me sick. Four days after your son's death you're talking about your new BluRay and dancing in the front row of an award show?! Disgusting.
Posted by Catherine, Chicago, Monday, June 29, 2009, 1:36 pm His emotional and physical abuse and exploitation of his son from the time Michael was 4 destroyed any chance of selfesteem or sense of security for life. This slavedriver should be ashamed to show his face.
Posted by Stephen Taylor, Monday, June 29, 2009, 3:26 pm Joe used to call his son big nose. No wonder MJ had such selfesteem issues. He also used to whip him and treat him like shit, and MJ said at one point that when he knew he had to see his dad he felt like puking. The man is sick and cruel. That behaviour is really shameful. Sounds like he doesn't have a heart... I feel like I grieved more and I never even met Michael, yet his own dad dances and promotes BluRay. Terrible.
Posted by Stephen Taylor, Monday, June 29, 2009, 3:26 pm Joe used to call his son big nose. No wonder MJ had such selfesteem issues. He also used to whip him and treat him like shit, and MJ said at one point that when he knew he had to see his dad he felt like puking. The man is sick and cruel. That behaviour is really shameful. Sounds like he doesn't have a heart... I feel like I grieved more and I never even met Michael, yet his own dad dances and promotes BluRay. Terrible.
Posted by sarah, Monday, June 29, 2009, 4:45 pm Yes, no one should be surprised. This man was the epicentre of his son's problems, must have been more aware than anyone what was going on at the earliest stages and did nothing. The twisted mentality that developed from the treatment Michael received at his hands has borne its awful fruit, and not only is he not grieving, he doesn't show the least amount of surprise. I would say this man lacks a conscience, and should have been taken away by the authorities 40 years ago. What the hell is he doing at the BET awards??!!?!
Posted by Jay, Monday, June 29, 2009, 5:24 pm He was also at the epicentre of his son's success! At what point do we stop holding a parent responsible for their offspring's screwup. I love MJ's music. I grew up with him. He's the soundtrack of my youth. But come on, he was a weird, strange dude. Very talented but very much a nut. He was 50 years old, at some point it's not Joe's fault.
Posted by Political Atheist, Monday, June 29, 2009, 5:35 pm If ever there was a demonpossessed man, he is it. What a freaking monster!
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