tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67703637167224006212024-02-18T17:30:39.784-08:00Michael Jackson:A Living LegacyThis blog is an arena to counter-act the negativity that has in the past and still does to this day, surrounds Michael Jackson, through informative articles, interviews with people who worked with and were close to him, tribute blogs, poems and videos.Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-91385656407868993372011-11-11T08:05:00.000-08:002011-11-11T08:05:02.009-08:00We Can't Take It...Wev'e Already Had Enough!Across the world Michael Jackson is loved not for his music but for his humanity. This extraordinary gift from God had so much more to do on this earth as his philanthropic mission, envisioned from childhood, had not yet come to fruition. A brilliant light in our world forever snuffed out by the calloused actions of another. We cannot stand idly by and watch the media once again tear at him like a pack of wolves, nor allow his killer to have “his say” without fear of perjury.<br />
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WE URGE ALL BLOGGERS – Use this information to set up a post on your site.<br />
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We request ALL the MJGlobal family members particpate in this endeavor.<br />
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In support of the MJGlobal family of advocates that have been clearly demonstrating our moral indignation for such a calamity as allowing a convicted felon to profit form the very victim he killed <a href="http://www.claad.org/component/content/article/106" target="_blank">CLAAD.org ‘s call to Turn off our TV</a> has stood behind us against the media giant NBC/COMCAST/MSNBC.<br />
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WE, stand together UNITED in this cause and are promoting that TV sets be turned off during the broadcast tonight, we invite fans from Australia to Europe, from Africa to the Americas and Asia, to come on Twitter tonight and voice our disdain at this most unconscionable betrayal.<br />
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Time Zones:<br />
NEW YORK: 11/11/11 9PM – 11PM<br />
LOS ANGELES: 11/11/11 6PM-8PM<br />
SAO PAULO: 11/12/11 MIDNIGHT – 2AM<br />
LONDON: 11/12/11 2AM-4AM<br />
PARIS: 11/12/11 3AM-5AM<br />
MOSCOW: 11/12/11 6AM-8AM<br />
JOHANNESBURG : 11/12/11 4AM – 6AM<br />
SYDNEY: 11/12/11 1PM-3PM<br />
JAKARTA: 11/12/11 9AM-11AM<br />
BEIJING: 11/12/11 10AM-12PM<br />
HONG KONG: 11/12/11 10AM-12PM<br />
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We will trend: TURN TV OFF<br />
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No hashtag.<br />
Only use the TT once in a tweet<br />
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You can add the following individuals to your tweets:<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/@SavannahGuthrie" target="_blank">@SavannahGuthrie</a> – the “reporter” interviewing the convicted killer <br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/todayshow" target="_blank">@todayshow</a> Documentary will be shown<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/@mgrabof" target="_blank">@mgraboff</a> – President of MSNBC & NBC<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/@NBC" target="_blank">@NBC</a> – TV Station that has been airing excerpts and promoting the documentary<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/@MSNBC" target="_blank">@MSNBC</a>: TV Station that will broadcast the full documentary tonight<br />
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NOTE: We consider Michael as a brother, a beloved family member and will not contribute to the corporate bottom line greed of NBC and it’s affliates. Nor will be any part of lining the pockets of Michael’s murderer, Conrad Murray or his debtors.<br />
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We urge you not to contribute to their viewing numbers or give MSNBC the viewership and ratings they desire. If you must watch the Murray documentary it is readily available on YouTube.<br />
Alliances:<br />
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<a href="http://youredoingwrong.blogspot.com/2011/11/triumph-of-human-indecency.html" target="_blank">http://youredoingwrong.blogspot.com/2011/11/triumph-of-human-indecency.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://united4mjlegacy.blogspot.com/2011/11/standing-up-against-corporate-greed-in.html" target="_blank">http://united4mjlegacy.blogspot.com/2011/11/standing-up-against-corporate-greed-in.html</a><br />
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From MJJJustice and the MJGlobal Family united for Michael!Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-49310886581988428982011-11-05T20:00:00.000-07:002011-11-05T20:00:10.261-07:00Pay Michael Forward: A Call to Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm1g9mNnFAyVSsE58UTCGuQsLGB8_-7YmJSKfahX3uF3CMdaOEFAv_m7x5HcEN-VLxHeG5Er5W0ucMEjUg8Xz0jdt5KPn04ke1x807mZ26uM0zYBEuVNnxyVGYkiz_wr8RxKmVcsBges/s1600/LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm1g9mNnFAyVSsE58UTCGuQsLGB8_-7YmJSKfahX3uF3CMdaOEFAv_m7x5HcEN-VLxHeG5Er5W0ucMEjUg8Xz0jdt5KPn04ke1x807mZ26uM0zYBEuVNnxyVGYkiz_wr8RxKmVcsBges/s1600/LOGO.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Joe Vogel's highly anticipated November 1, international release of <em>Man in the Music: The Life and Creative Work of Michael Jackson</em>, will be supported by the launch of Pay Michael Forward—a site dedicated solely to supporting <em>Man in the Music</em> and Joe Vogel, an exciting 'launch-of-Man-in-the-Music' contest, endorsed by Joe Vogel. <a href="http://www.paymichaelforward.com/" target="_blank">http://www.paymichaelforward.com/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It’s Time! After many months of anticipation, Joe Vogel’s long-awaited release of <em>Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson</em> has arrived. For those of us who know and those who remember, Michael told us that when we wanted to be near him we could find his love and his soul in the music. Joe’s work will now inform the reader about the meticulous creative process of an artistic genius as he crafts his special magic. Michael’s storied perfectionism and humanity become a tapestry of love, woven throughout his musical history, and slowly revealed inside Joe’s elegant prose. Cultural, personal and organizational forces that weighed on the artist during his life are clearly defined, and the reader is invited to re-examine the lyrical, visual and vocal interpretations expressed by a man struggling sometimes to make sense of his world, of our world. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">In an effort to expand and share Joe’s work with a larger audience, we are thrilled to highlight the announcement of a new website dedicated to supporting Joe in his celebration of Michael’s life and work. Pay Michael Forward was imagined and now comes to life as a pathway for this to happen. A handful of passionate team members have constructed an avenue for all of us to use our imaginations and special skills to make this endeavor a success. The primary focus is, of course, on Joe and <em>Man in the Music</em>, offering an opportunity for many to contribute stories, videos and thoughts, as we move Michael’s story forward.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The site will include prizes, dialogue, reviews, and an opportunity to interact with Joe and discuss his labor of love. Interviews, articles, promotions and quotes from Joe are included and highlighted. The idea is simple….to move Michael further into public consciousness with a new understanding of his genius, and the remarkable contributions he has made and continues to make toward world peace, social justice, human dignity, and care for children all over the world through the common language of music.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I envision a school-aged child or a college student searching for a research topic, or a mom browsing a library while her children are in school all reaching for <em>Man in the Music</em>. Attracted by the beautiful cover and the familiar name, she will experience the weight of its importance and its tactile beauty as she reads Joe’s introduction. Perhaps the child will love the images contained within and carry it home for a parent to read. And the college student will find a cozy corner and revisit the joy and excitement of a favorite song, as he is awakened to the creative process alive in the heart and soul of a marvelous artist;</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Just as we have united in the pursuit of justice, perhaps we can now do the same in an effort to Pay Michael Forward. It is time now for hardbound testaments to truth, for film that attests to a unique human treasure, and for words and memories spoken by those who knew and loved him. Legacy, reputation and recognition of Michael’s global cultural significance must be protected with the truth, and this is one vehicle where we can help to make that happen. Joe dedicated his time and talent, and now his baby is born. Let’s join him in this effort and raise Michael up to his deserved place in history. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="269" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/images2jpgPAYFORWARD.jpg" width="187" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">In association with Pay Michael Forward, Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait, MJ-777, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive, Voices Education Project and Inner Michael, we are delighted to bring you news of the amazing contest to celebrate and accelerate the worldwide launch of Joe Vogel's definivite new book, <em>Man in the Music.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The </span><span style="color: black;">Pay Michael Forward team are asking fans to participate in a surge-buy campaign between the crucial period of Nov 1- Nov 13, in order to propel Man in the Music into the bestseller lists at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. This, in turn, will help to drive it into the New York Times best sellers list. Fans are further incentivized to help get Joe out there by talking about Michael Jackson, sending a message to publishers that the truth CAN sell, and spreading the truth about who Michael was and his incredible gift to us.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">Pay Michael Forward: <a href="http://www.paymichaelforward.com/" target="_blank">http://www.paymichaelforward.com/</a> Voices Education Project: </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.voiceseducation.org/" target="_blank">http://www.voiceseducation.org/</a> and Inner Michael: <a href="http://www.innermichael.com/">http://www.innermichael.com/</a> are the only three sites where fans can enter a worldwide contest endorsed by Joe Vogel that is designed to encourage and show appreciation to fans who buy more than one Man in the Music copies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>Contest Details:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Order two or more books and enter by filling out the contest form on a page, at Inner Michael or at Voices. Using the link on the form will open another window where you may order books through the Voices Education Project link at Amazon and contributes a 5% commission to “Voices” who hosts the amazing “Words and Violence” curriculum dedicated to Michael Jackson and Lady Diana Spencer. PMF (Pay Michael Forward) encourages you to use that link as a win/win for everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Order two or more books and become eligible for prizes: </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Everyone who enters the contest will receive an invitation</span> to a fireside chat via telephone and internet hosted by Rev. B at Inner Michael and featuring Joe Vogel and a surprise special guest. The date of the fireside chat is to be determined.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Winners will be determined by the number of books purchased; the grand prize winner will be determined by a drawing; and additional prizes will be awarded to those with the most creative ideas for how to promote the book <em>Man in the Music </em>and/or <em>Pay Michael Forward</em>, the website as judged by the PMF staff.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The First Place Winner</span> will receive an additional signed copy of <em>Man in the Music</em>, a signed hardbound copy of Joe Vogel’s <em>Earth Song</em> and a giant poster “Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned from Michael Jackson” by Amy Grace. And of course—an invitation to the fireside chat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Second Place Winner</span> will receive a signed copy of <em>Earth Song</em>, a small poster “Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned from Michael Jackson” by Amy Grace. And of course—an invitation to the fireside chat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Third Place Winner</span> will receive a signed copy of <em>Earth Song</em> and a T-shirt designed by Amy Grace. And of course—an invitation to the fireside chat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Grand Prize winner</span> will be determined by a drawing by Joe Vogel at a to-be-determined date filmed and presented on YouTube. The winner will receive the <em>Ultimate Collection of Music</em> by Michael Jackson, signed copies of <em>Man in the Music</em> and <em>Earth Song. </em>And of course—an invitation to the fireside chat.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Additional Prizes (signed copies of Joe’s book <em>Earth Song</em>) will be awarded to contestants who send in the most creative ideas of how to promote Joe Vogel’s books and the website Pay Michael Forward. Or, those who have already creatively promoted the books and website—tell us how you did it. The additional prize winners are judged and chosen by the PMF staff.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The PMF team would really like those who enter the competition or even those who have already bought their MIM copies and do not intend or cannot buy more; to visit PMF to hear about the creative ways which the team has created for how people can 'pay Michael Forward.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">You can take pictures and load as twitpics or make videos of yourselves gifting MIM to curious friends or strangers with sensible questions, libraries, colleges, schools, church groups, reading groups, youth groups, hospital or hospice libraries, universities, doctors surgeries and dentists etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Fans are also invited to upload all those important pictures into the comments section at PMF, with a brief explanation of how they found their advocacy experience at the site, in a specially designated page at PMF. You can also, from Nov 1 onwards send your twipics of ‘paying Michael forward' to the PayMichaelForward twitter account:</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/PayMJForward">http://twitter.com/#!/PayMJForward</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/a-call-to-action/article/pay-michael-forward-a-call-to-action">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/a-call-to-action/article/pay-michael-forward-a-call-to-action</a>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-72138015823138087442011-11-05T19:50:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:50:46.419-07:00A Living Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDB_50Ec-reSimDVjOYNeyaMbfRR9qyZQLxMosCu3Sb9IzNYM-3Lkk5wI7X-cQPB0m6wMaZ5Q514d_x5RdO-vNRJOU9flabVK0r-dx_zbEkPXAhYb1t6g5HzGjyu-h4hsrt-pQT1z1tY/s1600/IS773-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDB_50Ec-reSimDVjOYNeyaMbfRR9qyZQLxMosCu3Sb9IzNYM-3Lkk5wI7X-cQPB0m6wMaZ5Q514d_x5RdO-vNRJOU9flabVK0r-dx_zbEkPXAhYb1t6g5HzGjyu-h4hsrt-pQT1z1tY/s1600/IS773-005.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><em>Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become </em><strong><em>~</em></strong><em> </em>C. S. Lewis</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;">On our weekly, Sunday visit to my grandmother’s house many, many years ago, she called my parents and me to the table for lunch. Laid out upon the table was her usual fare of cold-cuts and salad, along with scrumptious hot scones, butter, jam, and whipped cream. Normally I would race to the table in anticipation of feasting on the hot treats, but that day I was immersed in a new book my mother had just bought me. It was full of colorful pictures and fantastical tales of knights, dragons, and castles. I was too young at the time to understand most of the words in the book, but the illustrations had certainly captured my attention and imagination. Food paled in comparison to the feast I held in my hands.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Reluctantly, I folded the page corner down to mark my place and put the book on the coffee table. Rising, I found my passage to the table blocked by the diminutive form of my grandmother.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">“Never, ever show disrespect for a book again by creasing its pages. Don’t you understand that books are living things?” She chastised.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">No, I didn’t. I was confused by her meaning and not able to understand or see in my child-like mind, the hidden metaphor in her words. Her tone of voice stung—her disapproval was something I had never incurred before—but it served its purpose well, for I did look upon my books from that day on with newfound eyes.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">As I grew, I came to understand my grandmother’s words: I began to understand the expressions found within books, were a personal and emotive collection of thoughts and feelings belonging to another human being. And as I began to write myself—first as a diarist, and then as a short-story writer and hopeful poet—I found liberation through my own expressionistic prose that had ultimately been inspired by others, and through my personal experiences in life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Along with my understanding and feeling of liberation, I made a discovery that would have a major affect on my style of writing: Books are a powerful vehicle that can create change. When words, pictures and art are gathered together to create a story, poem and narrative—or to give sensory pleasure to the eyes—they have the ability to transform the reader. They have the ability to transport us to another place, a place outside of ourselves and our everyday lives. Books have the power to reach down into in our hearts and open our minds to new and different possibilities. They enable us to escape, they inspire, and they alter our perspective and viewpoint. And, for myself, they give me that ah-hah, spine-tingling moment of realization when I discover a connection to the author or artist and the source of all universally inspired works…the divine.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="489" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/Dancing20The20Dream.jpg" width="422" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;">My first, real experience with this connection occurred while reading <em>Dancing the Dream</em>, written by Michael Jackson. First published in 1992, the book was not rated as being a commercial success by hardcore critic’s, and received both mixed and negative reviews. But to the open mind—one that is not afraid to explore outside the confines of self-imposed and societal rigidity and constrictive programming—it is a window into the heart and soul of a man often maligned and certainly misunderstood. Inspirational and passionate, the book offers a glimpse into his humanity and beyond to his connection with the universe and creation.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>"So, what does a star do after it quits shining?’ I ask myself. ‘Maybe it dies.’</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>‘Oh, no,’ a voice in head says. ‘A star can never die. It just turns into a smile, and melts back into the cosmic music, the dance of life.’ I like that thought, the last one I have before my eyes close. With a smile, I melt back into the music myself. </em> Excerpt from “Dance of Life,” from the book <em>Dancing the Dream, </em>Michael Jackson, 1992.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Sublime revelations aside, Michael was able to forge a path with the quality and expressions contained in his words, enabling the reader to journey to that place where his inspiration was born. His prose is not only eloquent, but also life-changing, bringing awareness to our often, disjointed approach to how we view life, and our true desire to find the same link to the spirit that he had found. Michael breathed life into the pages of his book by penning words that reached deep into our subconscious, and once we had met with him on the same level from which he wrote, it was impossible to let go—we were captured there in the same place and time owned solely by him; touched irrevocably by this rare insight into the man in the music.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It is clear that Michael himself found this same connection not only to authors, but to artists, renowned and unknown, and their work. He had a vast library filled with thousands of books and he read voraciously, absorbing each word and image until they became enmeshed in both the spiritual and intellectual parts of him. Howard Bloom describes this best in his poignant narrative, written one year after Michael died.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>When the art director arrived, she bore the portfolios of five artists, portfolios she stacked at one end of the pool table’s green felt playing surface. These were not just the black vinyl portfolios most commercial artists use to display their work. Every one of these was a custom-made presentation case made of hand-tooled leather or rich cherry wood. And every one was from a legendary artist, an artist at the very top of his field.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>We were all bunched together on the opposite side of the pool table from the art director. Michael was in the center. I stood next to him on his left. And the brothers were crowded around us on either side. The CBS art director slid the first of the portfolios toward Michael. He opened the first page, slowly … just enough to see perhaps an inch of the image. As he took in the artwork his knees began to buckle, his elbows bent, and all he could say was “Oooohhh.” A soft, orgasmic “Oooohhh.” In that one syllable and in his body language, you could feel what he was seeing.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Do you know the poem by William Blake--</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>To see a World in a grain of sand,<br />
And a Heaven in a wild flower,<br />
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,<br />
And Eternity in an hour . . .</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>The intense ambition of that poem, the intense desire for wonder, was alive in Michael. More alive than anything of the sort I’d ever seen. Michael saw the infinite in an inch. As Michael opened the page further, inch by inch, his knees and elbows bent even more and his ”Oooohhhs,” his sounds of aesthetic orgasm, grew even more intense. Standing elbow to elbow and shoulder to shoulder with him, you could feel him discovering things in the brush and ink strokes that even the artist never saw. By the time he’d opened the full page his body and voice expressed an ecstasy. An aesthetic epiphany. I’d never encountered anything like it. Michael felt the beauty of the page with every cell of his being.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://thehappiestmedium.com/2010/06/one-year-later-remembering-michael-by-howard-bloom/">http://thehappiestmedium.com/2010/06/one-year-later-remembering-michael-by-howard-bloom/</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="609" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/maninthemusiccover2med1.jpg" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;">To me, an author or artist's ability to produce a feeling of connectivity within the reader is very profound, and likens to my personal opinion of a collective conscious existing, on some level, among human beings: If we share a common response to what we read or see, then our thoughts and emotions are more interwoven than what may first appear. I found this to be true upon reading Joe Vogel’s book, <em>Man in</em> <em>the Music</em>. Not only did I find a connection to Joe through his words, but again, to Michael himself, and upon sharing my feelings with others who have also read his book, I similarly found their response to be almost identical to mine.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Man in the Music</em> is a moving and articulate embrace of the music, and the man within it, Michael Jackson. It takes us inside Michael’s creative works and gives us another rare insight into his mind and soul. To say that Joe found his own personal connection to the artist and his music, to me, is an understatement, because it is clear in every chapter—Joe has forged his own path for us to reach that same level on which he met Michael, through artistic expression and truthful interpretation. In a sense, the book is a journey undertaken by the author, in order to provide us passage to a place only before, visited by him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>With his death, then, came a profound sense of loss and sadness about what might have been. Yet, as Jackson presciently put it just two years earlier (quoting one of his own artistic heroes, Michelangelo): ‘I know the creator will go, but his work survives. That is why to escape death; I attempt to bind my soul to my work.’ It was perhaps the most revealing comment he ever made about what he hoped for his legacy. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>In creating this book, I traveled deep inside that soul-filled work. With each return visit, new and exciting discoveries unfolded.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>It is my hope that Man in the Music will inspire a similar experience for others, serving as a gateway into the creative world of one of the most unique artists of the past century. </em>Excerpt from the Preface of <em>Man in the Music.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Indeed, Joe has created a gateway—he has opened the door to inspiration through well-defined expression, bringing us to that same perception of Michael and his artistry that Joe himself gained in the writing of his book.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">A book is the landscape and heartbeat of its author; a canvas on which to paint the color of their minds, and a melody of words forever immortalized on paper, bound, and laid lovingly in a place of importance by its reader. This is what makes a book a living entity. This is what draws us to hold a book in our hands and to hold it close to our hearts—to inhale the aroma of ink and paper—because we feel the life-force contained within its covers. It is why we linger in bookstores and libraries—in the hushed silence, we listen to the heartbeats emanating from shelves. And, it is why we delight in feelings of anticipation when we turn that first page—we are eager to meet, connect, and be lead on another journey inside an author’s mind, heart, and beyond. Books are indeed, gifts to be treasured.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I have never marked my place in a book again by folding its corner down, since the day my grandmother scolded me. She gave me a handmade, crocheted bookmark which I used for many years, until finally it started to unravel. I replaced it with a beaded bookmark so that it would last longer, and delegated my grandmother’s one to its own place of importance in my collection of beloved keepsakes. Among those keepsakes are books I have collected throughout the years, ones that have inspired and touched me, and created positive change in my life. They line my bookcase—Michael’s are there, and <em>Man in the Music</em> will soon take its rightful place amongst them—standing testaments to the lives of those who penned them. Every day, I run my hand along their spines feeling the energy and warmth flowing from them, and I thank the authors for sharing such precious gifts with me, for allowing me insight and passage into their innermost selves.<em></em></span><br />
<br />
Written for Pay Michael Forward:<br />
<a href="http://www.paymichaelforward.com/" target="_blank">http://www.paymichaelforward.com/</a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">© Valmai Owens, 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This article appears in the publication <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive</i>, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</a>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-3647627402156756042011-11-05T19:44:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:46:16.357-07:00A Call to Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUVg2sOttgeyleVcRJEWzAIjc3avxXjW_UHNsD3HPDuVZ-mjYAFt6y8tf-eetBgzT475ba_qPLYD0O-V63_Ol7a9taydpcLKq_Okw7-AmpY225Wnu8KajfktIqq-GPAjkV2rWnGk2kEg/s1600/321086_10150334249097888_193865772887_8060579_633144794_n_jpgMICHAELWITHFIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUVg2sOttgeyleVcRJEWzAIjc3avxXjW_UHNsD3HPDuVZ-mjYAFt6y8tf-eetBgzT475ba_qPLYD0O-V63_Ol7a9taydpcLKq_Okw7-AmpY225Wnu8KajfktIqq-GPAjkV2rWnGk2kEg/s1600/321086_10150334249097888_193865772887_8060579_633144794_n_jpgMICHAELWITHFIST.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I’ve always felt an affinity with the moon and the stars; I feel as if there is a fine, invisible thread that connects me to them and to the vastness of space. Perhaps it is because, in part, I feel recognition within my spirit of the unseen forces of the Creator and creation. Up there in the sky, in reality, is where we began and how we came to be; the Universe is our celestial Mother and Father, God, and Goddess. And don’t we all gaze up in wonder? Don’t we all feel inspired by the sight, yet at the same time, feel inconsequential compared to the beauty and power combined which collided in a mystic and fiery dance of existence?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I have been watching the moon wax and wane in the last month, and I realized how the moon’s cycle compares to Michael’s life at times. Michael, at his fullest and brightest, shone with an intense light that enveloped all who came near him—it was a light pulsing with energy—but, there always seemed to be a darkness lurking in the background ready to eclipse his light with negativity. And when it encroached, when it surrounded him with its malicious intent, his light flickered and dimmed much to the delight of those who had cast him into that darkness.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Now we have the Conrad Murray trial being played out in a Los Angeles courtroom, and once more Michael’s life is surrounded in controversy and speculation. I have no idea at this time what the verdict will be—whether it will be one to celebrate or one to mourn. But, I do know this much—it appears that two trials are being carried out. On one hand, Conrad Murray stands charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, on the other hand, Michael Jackson stands charged of being human, with flaws, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies. Can you hear them? Can you hear the voices of the past that still resound today, </span>propounding<span style="color: black;"> his imperfections, as if in justification of their deliberate and well-structured campaign that was set in motion years ago, to portray Michael’s life and humanity as a carnival freak show?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Noticeably, the media seems to be largely ignoring certain important and vital facts that have come from the testimony so far, most noticeably being—no Demerol, metabolites, or narcotics were found in Michael’s system. This obvious omission from media reports, to me, indicates one of two things, 1) The media is suffering from an extreme case of guilt (or perhaps eating crow) after years of perpetuating the misguided theory that Michael was a hard-core drug addict, which only intensified in their reports after his death in 2009, or, 2) after years of making careers for themselves and raking in large amounts of revenue for their negative, intrusive, accusatory, and vilified reporting on Michael’s personal life, the resounding truth echoing from the courtroom is a threat to their livelihood and ratings.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Rather than see Michael as human, rather than show compassion and understanding, they prefer to continue surrounding his name and life in a cloud of innuendo and negativity. Truth doesn’t sell nearly as well as sensationalism, and for an industry that has largely built itself upon a foundation of dehumanization—Michael Jackson being one of their biggest targets and most prominent victims—setting the record straight is not an option. There simply is too much to lose on their part. A leopard can’t change its spots.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">But, while “Jacko”, “Jackson Trial”, and “Jackson Drug Death Trial” remain headliners, while not reporting all the facts pertinent to the expert testimony is prevalent—while Michael’s words ring out from the audio tape recorded by Murray and while the image of his body that is stamped on our collective conscious is undervalued by the media, nothing can overshadow or diminish Michael’s humanity as it has been exposed to the world; a humanity laid bare; a humanity that belies the years of unjustified persecution, allegations, and degradation of this man at the hands of extortionists, the media, and public alike. It is there for the world to see and hear, and it will never disappear no matter how hard people try to ignore or hide it, because as with the moon and its cycle, Michael’s life and name will once more shine full and bright long after this trial has ended, through us, and through those who are committed to his legacy. This is what we need to build upon and build up—as supporters and fans, we have always known the beauty and innocence of Michael’s soul—because in reality, for this trial to be the last thing Michael is remembered for, would be the truest injustice of all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So, it falls to us again—and will continue to do so, until Michael is fully vindicated and recognized for who he was—to project upon the media and public screen an image of Michael both truthful and positive, and embrace and live the love that was at the center of his being. This is not only vital to the recognition and continuation of Michael’s legacy, but to our own as well, because both are inextricably entwined through mutual respect and that powerful, life-changing emotion called, love.</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> <img alt="" height="206" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/302688_210317782369956_116222408446161_503077_1645072529_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">© Valmai Owens, 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This article appears in the publication <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive</i>, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-33954358761047923502011-11-05T19:41:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:41:27.662-07:00Commentary on the Conrad Murray Trial By Matt Semino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDwbLALQyou_j8-NIxjawHJz9Al_nGdCN_JUCQVAQMGP2GZ6u5gz87cl6kmF1OfE__7cKPlsJp9562USfvhqsCejoUaCjbAsvDxfa4AX-lu7K0UrGcgdr0iprXHZYz_hPknDIWLthDRM/s1600/x17107944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDwbLALQyou_j8-NIxjawHJz9Al_nGdCN_JUCQVAQMGP2GZ6u5gz87cl6kmF1OfE__7cKPlsJp9562USfvhqsCejoUaCjbAsvDxfa4AX-lu7K0UrGcgdr0iprXHZYz_hPknDIWLthDRM/s1600/x17107944.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Conrad Murray Trial: Jane Velez-Mitchell, Matt Semino, Marcia Clark Talk Closing Arguments (11-3-11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/ysBM8lxe8w8?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ysBM8lxe8w8?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ysBM8lxe8w8?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysBM8lxe8w8&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysBM8lxe8w8&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong> Interview with IN SESSION'S Christi Paul on Strength of the Prosecution's Case (11/3/11)<br />
Video One</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/zKv8xg6d3mc?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zKv8xg6d3mc?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zKv8xg6d3mc?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKv8xg6d3mc&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKv8xg6d3mc&feature=youtu.be</a> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Video Two </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/cvwpPkFR8fA?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cvwpPkFR8fA?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cvwpPkFR8fA?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvwpPkFR8fA&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvwpPkFR8fA&feature=youtu.be</a></span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Video Three</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/F2KhtxXXb1M?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F2KhtxXXb1M?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F2KhtxXXb1M?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KhtxXXb1M&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KhtxXXb1M&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;">Video Four</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/MH71HproWHo?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MH71HproWHo?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MH71HproWHo?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH71HproWHo&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH71HproWHo&feature=youtu.be</a> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong> Conrad Murray Trial: Dr. Paul White Cross-Examination Discussed by Christi Paul and </strong></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Matt Semino (11/1/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/EWKybmvlXMk?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EWKybmvlXMk?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EWKybmvlXMk?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWKybmvlXMk&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWKybmvlXMk&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong><span class="long" dir="ltr" title="Conrad Murray Trial: Christi Paul and Matt Semino Discuss Dr. Shafer Cross-Examination (10-24-11)"> IN SESSION with Christ Paul (10/24/11)</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/W9hg684LUqQ?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W9hg684LUqQ?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W9hg684LUqQ?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9hg684LUqQ&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9hg684LUqQ&feature=youtu.be</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Parts 1 (10/20/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/HSjAwFcqJns?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HSjAwFcqJns?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HSjAwFcqJns?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSjAwFcqJns&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSjAwFcqJns&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 2 (10/20/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/dLgPbo8yGc0?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dLgPbo8yGc0?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dLgPbo8yGc0?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLgPbo8yGc0&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLgPbo8yGc0&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 3 (10/20/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0DPkiuzKAw?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0DPkiuzKAw?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0DPkiuzKAw?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0DPkiuzKAw&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0DPkiuzKAw&feature=youtu.be</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 4 (10/20/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/5JVgBzvW76A?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5JVgBzvW76A?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5JVgBzvW76A?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JVgBzvW76A&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JVgBzvW76A&feature=youtu.be</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Conrad Murray Trial: HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell Interviews Attorney Matt Semino (10-19-11)</strong></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 1 (10/17/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8AJ7o-TRUU&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8AJ7o-TRUU&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 2 (10/17/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQWsq37CnA&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQWsq37CnA&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION: Part 3 (10/17/11)</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxaPfIEuqt4&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxaPfIEuqt4&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>IN SESSION Interview with Christi Paul (10-6-11)</strong></span></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQDewFbcFZ0&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQDewFbcFZ0&feature=youtu.be</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Conrad Murray and the Voices That Ring True</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">“He’s the greatest entertainer in the world. I’m taking that money, a million children, children’s hospital, the biggest in the world, Michael Jackson’s Children’s Hospital…”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This last sentence taken from the haunting audio recording of Michael Jackson under the influence of “unknown agents” is a key element of the involuntary manslaughter case that the state of California is currently building against Dr. Conrad Murray. Hearing this voice cracked the door open for the jury into the private state of mind of the deceased and exposed the intimate knowledge that the accused had of his celebrity patient. The recording also presented a window of truth to the global humanitarian that Michael Jackson truly was. Would a man with these grand hopes and dreams actually risk taking his own life for a few hours of sleep? </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was shocking, disheartening, and enraging for many to hear Jackson in such an eerie state of sedation. The slurred pattern of speech contrasted so sharply with his known vocal genius. Could that have even really been him? A tidal wave of emotion swept through the courtroom as Jackson's voice echoed in the hallowed halls of justice. Who was the person responsible for putting Michael Jackson into this dangerous state? Why did Conrad Murray covertly record this personal telephone conversation? What was the real power dynamic in this lethal physician and patient relationship? Why did everything go so horribly wrong on June 25, 2009?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The audio recording was a dramatic, yet effective focal point of deputy district attorney David Walgren’s opening statement. Coupled with frantic 911 calls, voicemail recordings and cell phone records, collectively, the voices that emanated from Michael Jackson's home have begun to paint a very disturbing picture of the defendant and timeline of events. They reveal the ill-fated decisions of a man who acted repeatedly with a consciousness of guilt as he abandoned his patient in a desperate attempt to cover up his negligent acts. Although painful to listen to, it was Jackson's voice that was the first bold brushstroke needed for the messy portrait that is now taking shape right before our eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With each new hour of testimony, it is becoming clearer that a once strong man was gradually rendered powerless in the hands of a greedy, unethical, and highly unprepared enabler. The prosecution's evidence and witnesses have successfully started to demonstrate that Dr. Conrad Murray repeatedly acted with gross negligence through multiple and extreme deviations from the proper standards of medical care.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the audio recording so vividly reveals, Murray had knowledge of Jackson’s career motivations, as well as his mental and physical states, in the months prior to his death. Even while heavily sedated, Jackson revealed his underlying rationale for pursuing what may have been the most grueling professional endeavor of his life. Michael Jackson’s words indicated that he wanted to make history for the sole purpose of helping children.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Even with this knowledge, Conrad Murray continued to deceptively stockpile and feed his patient excessive and ultimately deadly amounts of sedatives and propofol. As a medical professional, did Murray truly believe giving Michael Jackson all of these drugs would help him be "the greatest entertainer in the world"? It is highly unlikely. Did he really think that Michael Jackson would ever be able to create the children's hospital of his dreams if he continually plied him with debilitating substances? Probably not. Or, was he just acting like an employee aiming to please his employer, in order to keep a steady $150,000 per month paycheck rolling into his bank account? Definitely, yes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The defense’s far-fetched theory that Jackson self-administered a highly lethal combination of sedatives and propofol behind Dr. Murray's back is also undercut by the audio recording. Depicted as seemingly forward thinking, it is clear that Michael Jackson had too many goals he wanted to accomplish and too much that he wanted to give back to the world. Why would he then risk taking his life into his own hands? Could he have even killed himself in the manner that the defense described in their opening statement? Ultimately, this case may boil down to a battle of the experts who will debate whether the “perfect storm” theory of Michael Jackson's instantaneous death really holds any merit. It already looks weak on its face.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Through a close examination of Jackson’s cultural legacy, it is clear that he always strove to serve a humanitarian purpose through his work. He gave millions of dollars to charity throughout his life. Therefore, it is not a stretch to believe that all he wanted to do was accomplish that objective again, but now on the largest scale possible. As his voice reveals, the intentions were grand, yet also singular in their focus. Jackson likely believed that the “This Is It” concert series would help him travel to the furthest possible point on the road of his lifelong humanitarian dream. He trusted Dr. Conrad Murray, as his personal physician, to help him arrive at his destination safely. As the evidence presented so far in the trial indicates, Murray failed miserably in that task.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whatever the verdict in this case will be, perhaps the world will eventually notice how much potential good was cut short by this avoidable tragedy. Michael Jackson's voice and all the other voices of this dramatic tale are starting to ring true. They are telling the story of a doctor intoxicated by celebrity and lured by money, who all but abandoned acceptable standards of medical practice and professional ethics to serve his personal needs. As prosecutor David Walgren argued, it was the “acts and omissions” of Dr. Conrad Murray that led Michael Jackson, his only patient, to a “premature death at age 50”. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the morbid image of a lifeless Jackson laying on a hospital gurney and labeled "Homicide", spread virally around the world, it became burned into the public's consciousness and will never be forgotten. Understandably sickening to many, the dreary image also serves as an extremely powerful symbol and stark reminder that in Michael Jackson's valiant attempt to save the lives of others, this wounded messenger unnecessarily lost his own bright future. Finally, the voices of justice are saying that this should have never happened to such a man.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/conrad-murray_b_991591.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/conrad-murray_b_991591.html</a></span><br />
<div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/facing-the-challenge/article/commentary-on-a-trial-by-matt-semino">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/facing-the-challenge/article/commentary-on-a-trial-by-matt-semino</a></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong><strong id="ecxyiv195819295yui_3_2_0_17_131721467119556"><span style="font-size: small;">I</span>N SESSION's Interview with Attorney Matt Semino on the Dr. Conrad Murray Trial (9-27-11)</strong></strong></span></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAXvTb90G0A&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAXvTb90G0A&feature=youtu.be</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>Defending the Victim in the Conrady Murray Trial</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Should Michael Jackson be blamed for his own death? Jury selection is underway and opening statements are set to commence in the Dr. Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter trial. International headlines are shouting, “Michael Jackson drank propofol moments before he died!” These questionable pronouncements allude to the defense theory that Murray’s legal team is expected to soon present in a Los Angeles courtroom. Symptoms of a “blame the victim” syndrome are already showing. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">While sensational, it should be of no surprise that Murray’s lawyers may argue that Michael Jackson took his own life by either injecting himself with propofol or ingesting it. Story-making is surely nothing new when it comes to the King of Pop. Turning the tables on the voiceless is also now in vogue with high-profile criminal defendants. It worked for Casey Anthony, why shouldn’t it also work for Conrad Murray? While “blaming the victim” may be a tempting and ultimately effective defense strategy, it is morally suspect when based in fabrication and driven by unsubstantiated factual claims. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Although attorneys are charged with representing their client’s best interests in court, ethical boundaries can be crossed in their dogged pursuit of that goal. As seen before, a clever defense lawyer can twist scraps of evidence, public perception, and ingrained social stereotypes about a victim and the alleged crime into a convoluted narrative that lacks any element of truth. This unscrupulous practice can become the legal weapon of choice when the only objective is to place just a shred of reasonable doubt in the mind of one impressionable juror. It is a weapon that can be lethal if taken too far, denigrating the victim with each cut and ultimately corroding justice to its bone. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The Casey Anthony saga is just one recent, glaring example of where such defense tactics went overboard in the courtroom. Anthony’s legal team introduced an outlandish explanation of the victim’s cause of death and leveled severe accusations at family members during their opening statement. All of their distorted claims eventually went uncorroborated during the trial. In the process, the victim’s memory was soiled and witnesses’ reputations were destroyed under the guise of an impassioned client defense. The judicial process is only cheapened when such machinations run unchecked in a court of law. The Conrad Murray trial also risks running amok if precaution is ignored. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">While millions of trial observers thought Anthony’s defense theory was pure fantasy, it stuck in the minds of the jurors who ultimately acquitted her. As Casey Anthony enjoys her freedom, Caylee Marie Anthony will never able to tell us whether she actually climbed up that ladder into the pool and drowned. Her cause of death remains a mystery. Similarly, Michael Jackson will also never be able to tell us how he departed from this earth. When it is only the words of the accused against the silence of the deceased, who is there to defend the victim from false accusation and innuendo?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">While it may become easy for some to forget, Dr. Conrad Murray is currently the individual on trial, not Michael Jackson. Use of the same Machiavellian strategies that were employed to defend Casey Anthony will need to be corralled and monitored vigilantly by judge, jury, and the viewing public, as the Murray case proceeds. The disastrous obfuscation of truth that occurred in Orlando only a few months ago can be prevented from repeating itself in Judge Michael Pastor’s courtroom.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Unfortunately, Murray’s legal team seems to have already taken more than a few pages from Jose Baez’s playbook. In several pretrial hearings, it became evident that Murray’s attorneys had intently studied the dynamics of the Anthony trial and the procedural factors that would ensure a favorable outcome for their client. They referenced the global media attention that the Anthony proceedings garnered and the potentially harmful influence of commentary from legal pundits as a way to rationalize sequestering jurors and preventing the trial from being televised. Judge Pastor made the intelligent decision to deny these requests, which would have placed unreasonable restrictions on the freedom of the public, press, and jury. Complete transparency is one positive step toward preserving the rights of the victim during this trial. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">If Conrad Murray’s legal team is planning to use a “blame the victim” defense strategy, their opening statement and witness questioning will likely conflate negative perceptions and stereotypes of Michael Jackson into a twisted theory of death. Attempts were already made by Murray’s attorneys to drag Jackson’s financial affairs, physical and mental health, as well as past legal battles into the vortex of controversy. Witnesses were expected to testify for the defense on these salacious and highly irrelevant topics. Judge Pastor wisely ruled to exclude many of these witnesses, arguing that their testimony lacked sufficient probative value in addressing the primary legal questions of the case. A thorough examination of Dr. Conrad Murray’s medical practices, ethical choices, and standard of care is what really needs to take center stage in a court of law at this time. Michael Jackson’s past has no legitimate place in this present trial. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Asserting the appropriate element of judicial control through the pretrial phase, Judge Pastor has made a strong effort to prevent the impending court proceedings from devolving into a tawdry examination of Michael Jackson through unnecessary character assassination. He has attempted to act fairly toward both sides while also standing firmly to protect the victim. Pastor will continue to play a pivotal role in the coming weeks by ensuring that the prosecution and the defense act within the boundaries of professional ethics and follow proper trial procedure. It is also imperative that he clearly impress upon the jury their important role, responsibility, and obligation in seeking the truth even through all of the smoke and mirrors. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Ultimately, it will be up to members of the jury to keep all that is stated at trial by the prosecution and particularly the defense, in its proper perspective. Inflated proclamations are just hot air if not grounded in provable facts. Jurors shouldn’t be distracted by such hyperbole. They must think critically and logically about whether the hard evidence that is presented in court actually comports with the claims made by the lawyers in their opening statements and witness questioning. It is only then that justice can be properly served without the victim ever being victimized again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/conrad-murray-trial_b_975131.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/conrad-murray-trial_b_975131.html</a></span><br />
<a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/a-call-to-action/article/commentary-on-the-conrad-murray-trial-by-matt-semino">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/a-call-to-action/article/commentary-on-the-conrad-murray-trial-by-matt-semino</a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">© Valmai Owens, 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This article appears in the publication <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive</i>, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-78215989102051240512011-11-05T19:18:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:18:12.079-07:00Interview with Gregory Smith, founder of Believe Foundation: Changing Kid’s Lives Through Art and Music.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBG01bpvH-1e79eeCeSRjycyiKVJp9QJuXihUbgm_Z0Lxra3yJxx3Ux8eqYLRQnBwM-bHJ5ulvePkI7ZhfEHpPwxCciexIcB0eu4kowySmbyJSyJcRCoHZB2v-gXmIn-asMBMmOfXMfs/s1600/269195_10150237717963557_571113556_7419234_1047808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBG01bpvH-1e79eeCeSRjycyiKVJp9QJuXihUbgm_Z0Lxra3yJxx3Ux8eqYLRQnBwM-bHJ5ulvePkI7ZhfEHpPwxCciexIcB0eu4kowySmbyJSyJcRCoHZB2v-gXmIn-asMBMmOfXMfs/s320/269195_10150237717963557_571113556_7419234_1047808_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not many people in the fan community know who Gregory Smith is. For myself, I was not aware of him until a few weeks ago when by accident I happened upon his facebook page, Believe Foundation: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info">https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There, I saw a picture of him taken with Michael Bearden which piqued my interest and curiosity. Having interviewed Michael in the past, and finding in him a true sense of honesty and integrity, I knew that anything he was involved in would be something I would have no question in supporting. As I read a description of the Believe Foundation and what it stood for, I knew I had stumbled upon something that to me was a direct extension of Michael Jackson’s humanitarian legacy and empathy for children. I contacted Michael Bearden immediately asking what, if anything, I could do to help; how could I support this foundation. In turn, Michael put me in contact with Gregory Smith, a man with vision, dedication and heart, and the founder of </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Believe Foundation.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greg’s story is not uncommon. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles amongst gangs and violence, he lived through and witnessed what occurs on the street, but his strong sense of family, faith and belief in the way music can heal and change the world, brought him to the place where he stands now, changing the lives of disadvantaged and inner-city kids for the better. And that is really at the heart of this foundation, changing kid’s lives through art and music. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Up until now, the Believe Foundation has been running afters-chool arts programs in South Los Angles, but is now looking to expand and create the Los Angeles School of Arts and Entertainment. This school will provide kids with the opportunity to discover their talents and self-worth, and give them hope for a better tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was my pleasure to interview Greg, who gives us insight into his vision that was inspired by growing-up in South Central Los Angeles, and how that created a heartfelt need to give back to the community and provide kids with hope for a brighter future. We are also honored and privileged to have been asked to act as e-Ambassadors for the Believe Foundation, and this is something Dot to Dot and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait are proud to lend ourselves </span><span style="font-size: small;">too. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Intervi</span></span></em></span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ew</span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> transcribed by Kelly Gallagher</span></span></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai: </strong></span>Greg, can you tell us something about yourself and your background? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>My name is Gregory Smith, born in South Central Los Angeles, back in the early days. Born and raised by a minister, I am a </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">p</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">astor’s son, or the son of a preacher man. My father has been a minister since I was a baby. I was pretty much raised in the church element—and the church, being a community based church, was small. I’ve always had a tight-knit family base, and I’ve always tried to go the right way. Sure, we all get distracted every once in a while as a child, but I was pretty much born and raised in a very strict household.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I learned how to play music by ear, and I was discovered at a young age to play professionally. At 12, I started touring with a major gospel choir. Reverend James Cleveland....I’ve played with him back in the day—I was really well-known as a gospel drummer. So, I have a very interesting musical and religious background—and I love sports!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Did you play a lot of sports growing up?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>Yes, yes! Growing up in the "hood", one of the ways we were taught to possibly get out of that environment was through either sports or music and, unfortunately, that’s all we had to attach ourselves to immediately and see some type of a reward—to get a record deal, get discovered as a musician, or at least hopefully get a scholarship in sports. That’s all that we were taught, and that’s all we were able to see on television—athletes and musicians.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Greg, growing up in South Central Los Angeles must have been difficult for you at times. Is it what you had to go through and what you witnessed, the inspiration behind creating </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Believe Foundation?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> Yes, I would definitely contribute it to my growing up; wanting to do something better in the community and showing kids other options. The Believe Foundation has always been a part of what I was born to do, wholeheartedly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My father being a minister—you know, they always wanted me to take over the church and preach that upbringing, but I was always considered the “black sheep” because I always had a lot of questions about the religious aspect of things. So I made a deal with my parents that if they just let me go the way I wanted to go—[I'd} let something like Believe Foundation be my ministry. So to this day, I still always [ask] my mom, “Hey Mom, are still praying for my ministry?” She gave it two thumbs up years ago.</span><br />
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</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Greg, what do you see as the Believe Foundation’s ultimate goal?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> The ultimate goal as we stand right now—first let me give you a little history of how it evolved into the Believe Foundation. A few years ago, I was doing events for kids in South Central Los Angeles—major talent shows and major dance competition shows—trying to create a safe environment for them to come and be a part of, and to help their self-esteem. What I didn’t know at the time was that what I was doing was <em>something,</em> there was a cause. I was just doing it because it was in my heart to do [it]. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My job as being one of the largest promoters in Los Angeles when I was doing dance events—I would get 2,000 to 5,000 kids in large arenas—I just didn’t know that I was really doing something really good. The ultimate goal at that time was just to create an environment where I could interest the kids and give them other options. Then somebody approached me about doing a non-profit, because at that time I wasn’t really making any money, I was actually spending my money trying to make money to cover the costs. But at that time, I was just trying to create some type of environment for kids to come to a place where they could do anything they wanted revolving being around music or around dance or sports, because that’s my upbringing. Then I started teaching at local schools—after-school programs—so I started falling into the teacher's mode of <em>Well hey, I can teach, too; so let me start helping these kids out in another way as far as their education</em>. Then I met with people who decided to take it to the next level and create the atmosphere of a performing arts school.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Are there other schools like this in Los Angeles?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> Not in the immediate Seventh District—this is where we’re looking now: District 7. In the immediate parts of South Central, now and over the past few years, there’s been a major shakeup of charter schools in Los Angeles. They’ve shut down numerous schools because of administraton doing their own thing with test scores and cheating, and things like that. So there’s been a shakeup, and the performing arts schools that did exist are gone.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As it stands, in the immediate South Central Los Angeles area, there is really no school like what we’re trying to build.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> When I was in Los Angeles this past June, I went to Gardner St Elementary School with other representatives of the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait, and we spoke with the headmaster there. He said that in a lot of schools, not just in the innercity, but also in the surrounding areas, were suffering because the government is cutting back their funding on music and arts and other important programs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> Right, you’re absolutely right! It’s amazing, because out of all the things that help kids, art and music have, through the test of time, been shown to help. It’s amazing that they’re cutting the curriculum in public and charter schools when tests have already shown that low-income, high school seniors with a long-term involvement in band or orchestra, are twice as likely to score as highly proficient in math (33 percent) as their non-music counterparts. Now that’s been proven, you know? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are so many kids who would go to school and get through math and English, if they knew they have another outlet, something they really loved to do which is music and art. I can testify to that because I was terrible in everything else, but when it came to music and sports I excelled. As I was told, “Hey, in order for you to play those things or to be involved in those things, you have to do well in school”. And it just made sense to me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Greg, you’re the Executive Director, President and Founder of the Believe Foundation. Michael Bearden and Sean Holt are also on the foundation’s board. Can you tell us how they came to be involved?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>Sure. About four years ago, when the events I was doing for all these kids were realized, I started reaching out—like, what else can I do with this whole thing? Actually, I was making noise in the community, and I was one of the top promoters doing large events and had access to a ton of kids. A friend of mine named Will Weaton, knew Sean, who is an excellent singer, musician and businessman. Sean met with me, and we both realized we had the same passion and wanted to help kids in the community. From there, we partnered.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" height="350" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/Sean_Holt_1_350.png" width="350" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For Sean, being well-rooted in Hollywood and in a different area of the city, his heart is where the kids are. He has also taught at USC and he has done some after-school programs for the African American kids in the community. Sean [although] being white, really has a heart for helping out the African American and Latino kids, because he grew up in Louisiana—in the boroughs of Louisiana—and he grew up where he knows the struggle. Sean has a beautiful heart for the kids, and he wanted to get connected again with the kids in the community. Sean always says to me, "G, let's change some kid's lives".</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sean started to introduce me to people in his world. You know, it’s funny. Everybody knows somebody, but everybody has different worlds and circles. Sean saw me doing all these </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">shows and he actually said, “Greg, why not do something? Let’s build a school, let’s do something really different—let‘s really change the world. These shows are great, but let’s really help these kids; let me help you change these kids’ lives”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, Sean really put me in the right direction to formulate the Believe Foundation, and ever since then, Sean has been bringing in people from his circle to help make this work, and that’s when he brought me to Michael Bearden.</span><br />
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</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Michael Bearden—it was funny. I had half-an-hour to go to [see] Michael Bearden and pitch the Believe Foundation to him in his trailer while they were on the set of the [George Lopez] "Lopez Tonight" [TV] show. Michael Bearden is very hard to pin down for half-an-hour, but he actually gave us two and a half hours because he was so moved by the pitch. He said, “Greg, before Michael [Jackson] passed, he said that I was going to do some great things in the world. There are many things coming. Michael Jackson didn’t exactly know what they were, but he kept mentioning in the spirit of using one's gifts to Michael Bearden"I feel you are going to do some great things in the world". And Michael Bearden felt this was aspect of his own humanitarian calling so he jumped on board.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was really amazing how it all worked out once I actually let my guard down and let Sean help me. Such a blessing, such a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>It’s amazing how all these connections have been made, but if you look back over it, it doesn’t appear to be a coincidence. More like something or someone else was directing you all to come together.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Right, right, exactly! A lot of it just has to do with just believing in yourself, just step out of the way and let your faith take over, per se. Sometimes we block it by putting up these walls that we can get over. We just have to step back and let things happen.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/305142_167035890054385_129114997179808_319080_330416605_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Right. Now Charles Reagan has just recently signed on with you. Can you tell us a little something about him and what his role will be?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Well, Charles just recently came onboard. Sean introduced me to him. Sean and Charles have a 20-year relationship, and Charles was just recently introduced to the Believe Foundation when we had a function: a small, private fund-raising “coming out” party for Believe Foundation LASAE, which is the school’s name and stands for Los Angeles School of Arts and Entertainment. Charles was at that event. Once he saw the players and had a chance to hear us speak and present the whole concept of the Los Angeles School of Arts and Entertainment, he almost tore down the place, like, “Hey guys I want to be involved, I do”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s amazing! You just don’t know! These are people who are high echelon, you know? They’re on a different level. Charles has been on "The Simpson’s" for 25 years; he’s an Emmy award-winning artist—he's the only Emmy award-winning illustrator on "The Simpsons". A guy with that stature and kind of caliber—it’s just amazing to see that his heart is right here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He wants to teach. So he would definitely be involved in developing our curriculum when it comes to the animation department. But having his name involved with our school, there will be kids trying to get in from around the world who are interested in art and cartoon work, just because his name is associated with it, and he’s going to come up with a curriculum. So he’s pretty much almost created his own position, and we’re going to find him an office at the Believe Foundation and at the school. He will definitely be involved with helping the kids and developing our curriculum, and also in actually hiring our teachers to help in the animation department.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> At present, the foundation is running after-school arts programs and summer arts institutes, is that correct? Exactly what do these programs entail? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>Well, right now I do run an after-school program where I go into schools in the community—schools in South Central Los Angeles—and I teach performing arts. I teach different elements. Basically, there are charter schools right now that have budgets to allow after-school programming. Some of the charter schools don’t have music teachers, of course. They don’t have art teachers. So, I am a part a situation where I am the “music guy”. I will come into certain schools and help create a curriculum to help teach kids music production, via songwriting, musical arrangement, and learning-related software—just showing them how to write songs and [teaching some] production aspects. I usually teach 3 to 6 hours a day in different schools in Los Angeles, and I’ve been doing that for the past couple of years while we’ve developing Believe Foundation and formulating the whole concept, including the school.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Originally, Believe Foundation was an after-school program where I was trying to go into different schools, teach music, bring in celebrities and set up camps—like a work-shop. Then when I brought in Dr. Walker as my project lead—he said we need to take it to the next level and build a performing arts school of our own. Why go to these charter schools when you can build your own? That’s when we came up with the vision of building LASAE.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> And how have the inner-city kids responded to these programs?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>Oh, they love it, they love it! It’s funny, because teachers know that anything music or the arts-related can capture a kid. The kids African-American kids definitely have this inner art thing going on where they need to utilize it. Once we get the kids to open up and see what we’re doing, they welcome it with open arms. I mean, it’s unbelievable! Our classes are always full and kids are always asking questions. We also become mentors for the kids and we are available to them to answer their questions, to help them with work outside of music. They have a lot of questions and they are fascinated with music and art, so they've been very receptive. And, like I said, we all know the arts are so important to the schools, so we never have a problem with getting kids who are interested in art. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> The foundation is completing its formal charter petition for the Los Angeles School of Arts and Entertainment, which I believe the submission date is October 30. It is a public charter school that will open in the fall of 2012. Can you tell us more about this school and what curriculum it will offer? Is it going to include all forms of art and music, or just specific areas?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Right now, we’re just starting to get more people on board who bring us more things. For instance, we just signed Charlie for animation—we didn't have that before. We have art teachers who are proficient in actual painting and sculpting. We want to be well-rounded in the school, and any type of art we are open-minded to, but we just have to go with what we have [now] and what was available to us at the time, which started the vision. At that time, everybody who was on the board had something to do with music.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’re starting to get more interest. For instance, Charlie is a great example because we are not animators; we don’t do drawings, none of us do what Charlie does. We need more people. I was really focused on bringing in dancing, but right now I am looking for someone with a more stable name to attach to the dancing side. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, it’s going to be a well-rounded school. Anything dealing with the arts and entertainment is what we’re trying to offer. That’s the way we planned it, let’s put it out there, let’s build it, we believe in it and they will come and—here we go!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Could you tell us how much money you have raised so far and how much you think will be needed to actually see the school completed and up and running?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> We’ve raised $51,000 thus far. With the Los Angeles Unified School District, in order to get your application on file or “in line”, they require you to raise or have at least $250,000 in some form for your application to be accepted. So we’re trying to raise $250,000 so we can get our application in for 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We’re stretching—our first fund-raiser raised $51,000. We just have to keep pushing, and if we can get to $200,000 we’ll be set. We think there are people out there who once they see something like this, will want to be involved. We just have to get to the right people who believe in the arts, believe in our vision and believe in what Michael Jackson stood for, too, because Michael Bearden is on board, and he said Michael would love this if he were alive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Oh yes, he would! But, don’t you have to have the submission in by the end of this month?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> No. Actually, we were trying to get it submitted with a charter school for a new Proposition (Prop) 39. Prop 39 requires you to have it in by your first original target date, but they also require you to have the $250,000. We went back and forth, and we decided that Prop 39 wouldn’t be to our advantage because of the stipulation that they will place your performing arts school on a campus somewhere in South Central Los Angeles, and they pick the campus. So we decided we would be a little confined because of a location that we weren’t comfortable with.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The facilities didn’t have the state-of-the art auditorium or music room that we need. So now they’re giving us more time and we have until, I believe, December 1 before we have to have our application in.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Well, that gives you a little breathing room; not much, but a little bit of breathing room.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Not much, right! But the other thing is that we’re also looking at other districts in Los Angeles. Like if you go on one corner of a street in Los Angeles, you can be in another small city </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">that does not require the $250,000. So that’s what we’re looking at, and we have a little more time now.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Greg, are you relying solely on donations or are you hosting fund-raisers as well?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span>Fund-raisers, yes, but donations is the way for us to go as non-profit. The good thing about Los Angeles is that corporations can make donations now, because the school board has allowed the schools to accept private donations from the corporations if the corporations can advertise on school grounds. For instance, Nike comes in; we can build a stadium and put Nike right on the floor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Do you have any corporate sponsors at the moment?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> No, but you know what we need? We need that person on board who has the tenacity to go after the corporate sponsors, because like I said, at our first fund-raiser we were just trying to put the word out—here we are, help! We wanted to get the soldiers on board. We’re looking for more soldiers. So there are people who might not have the money, but have the resources/access to people with the money or access to people who know how to get the money. Actually, we’d love to have somebody who has access or time to donate to the Believe Foundation, to help us raise that money. That’s what we really need.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> So what about public support? Is the public aware of the foundation?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> That’s a great question, because that’s where we are right now. We have to take it to the next level and get the public support. So we need media exposure. What you’re doing for me are things that we need, and that’s why I really appreciate the time and opportunity, because we need to be out, more or less. You know it’s hard to get press unless, unfortunately—I am going to be honest with you, it’s hard to get press unless you’re doing something negative in Los Angeles.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Oh, I quite agree. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> It’s amazing! With all the good we’re trying to do, it’s hard to get press unless we’re out shooting somebody or, you know, stealing something. It’s like, really? We’re on a major campaign; we need a great PR person to be willing to donate time to us to help us get the press, get the word out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are a lot of things we need, but if people come onboard and see what we’ve done so far with what we have, it’s like, a no-brainer. And it’s for the good of the kids. We need other people who want to help out, like Charlie. We know they’re a lot of other people out there like PR firms who can help us get the publicity out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am going to launch a major talent show within the next couple of weeks, an "American Idol" style/Apollo [Theater] talent show, where kids will be performing in front of Michael Bearden and Sean Holt, and we’re trying to get Slash to be a judge. There are a lot of names we’re trying to bring in that Michael has access to. He can actually put these kids in front of them. I am not saying a record deal, but at least give them the exposure.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I am sure the media would be interested in something like that, if big celebrity names are attached to it? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Yes, exactly. That’s why, for the last week, I’ve been going back and forth. We’re trying to strategize how to launch the talent. “Let’s launch a major, city-wide talent show. Let’s make it nation-wide, if they can get here, and do a major talent show that would probably get the media interested, besides the "American Idol‘s" local in the community.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So you can go ahead and put it on record that the Believe Foundation will launch a major talent show.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> The Believe Foundation is something that you’ve already said Michael [Jackson] would approve of, and no doubt if he were here, would offer his time and support to. Have you gained a lot of interest from his fans?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> You know what? Yes, we have, because when I launched the foundation, I went straight to Michael Bearden’s fan page, and facebook started blowing up! Then we lost the Pepsi campaign to raise money to try to win this $50,000 grant. We came in 165th out of 1,000. You had to be in the top 10, so we didn’t make it, but we had a lot of fan support voting for the Believe Foundation, due to Michael Bearden’s involvement. But, I haven’t directly tapped into the Michael Jackson fan base; I am not an expert at that. For instance, you’re big to me because you’re right in that alley I was trying to get to. I was trying to get to his fan base. Let me ask you this: How did you find out about us again?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" height="333" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/GREGANDMICHAEL.jpg" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> It was quite by accident. I was looking at a friend’s facebook page and they had posted something about the Believe Foundation. There was a picture of you with Michael Bearden, so I clicked on the link and starting reading. I was so impressed with the work you are doing and your mission that I immediately emailed Michael [Bearden] and asked if I could help in anyway. That’s when he introduced me to you, and here we are.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> We need the Michael Jackson community to really stand behind this. Michael Bearden is very sensitive about it because he’s trying to protect Michael’s [Jackson] interests. He is so busy, I can’t really ask him to do that much as far as how to attach ourselves more to the Michael Jackson fan base. But I knew some way, somehow, someone would hear about us and take a liking to us and want to help us out. I really need that help.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Let me ask you this. How do we attach our track to Michael Jackson’s fans? Because we’re not using Michael Jackson’s name or anything.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What you're doing is continuing a part of his humanitarian legacy and vision, just as the fans are, by supporting the Michael Jackson’s Children Hospital. His name doesn’t have to be attached to it for the fans to support it, and even if it were attached, there is no exploitation on your part.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Michael Bearden told me that helping children was something Michael [Jackson] loved to do—he loved the idea of Believe Foundation. I said, “Well Michael, can I put it out there in the press?” He was like, “Well, I don’t want to make it seem we’re using Michael”. I said, “We’re not. He told you that you’re going to do some great things, this is one aspect of what you need to be doing.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s funny, because he’s told me so many stories of him and Michael just talking and envisioning things, but then he says to me he doesn’t want it to seem like we’re using Michael. But we’re not; we’re just carrying on the legacy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> That’s it exactly. There’s a big difference between using Michael’s [Jackson] name for profit, and carrying on his name and legacy by providing inner-city and underprivileged children with a chance to discover their talents and realize their potential.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Exactly! The difference is exploiting. Michael Bearden gave us his blessing to put his name on this, not Michael Jackson’s, but it’s still part of his legacy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Agreed!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> So we definitely would love to have Michael Jackson’s fans on board, and I really feel in my heart that they can help this thing pick up the momentum that it needs to get to the next level. It’s funny, everything happens for a reason. We went to see Michael Bearden and Michael Bearden saw this and the vision. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And, the other dream is for us to build schools in other cities, not only in Los Angeles, like Chicago or New York. Let’s keep it going, let’s make it happen—the Believe Foundation is known to build schools, that’s what we want to do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Well, you have a goal. First of all you’ve got to imagine, then you’ve got to believe it and then you make it happen.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> That’s right, and that’s what I am doing, I am going for it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What can we, within the fan community, do to help the Believe Foundation attain its goals?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Oh wow, there’s so much! We need donations, definitely. You can go to the foundation’s web page: http://believefoundationusa.org/#/about/donate. We have a donation button you can click on the bottom, and it takes you to a secure PayPal account where you can put in any amount and donate. Donations are tax-deductible, we are 501C3. Just like with President Obama or a lot of the [political] candidates, you can’t operate without funding.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Unfortunately, we are in a situation where we need the funds to continue what I’ve created and started. I need the community support, donation-wise, and we need resources, like what you’re bringing to the table. We need exposure, we need press. We need our facebook page to blow up! You can find us on facebook at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info">https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info</a> We need people to like us, and we need donations desperately!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our goal is to reach the $250,000. Like I said, in just the first few months we were able to obtain $51,000, so we know we’re onto something. There are people who believe in this when they see it and they hear about it. So we need support and we need resources.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You know it’s funny—because, after doing all this and learning a lot of statistics, [you] basically [see] how important music and the arts are to kids, and it also helps keep kids out of trouble, we just need people to see that this is really, really important. Students immersed in a long-time arts-rich environment, outperform their arts-poor counterparts by 46% on standardized testing. That’s huge. And for them to take the arts out of the schools—it just does not make sense! 46% is amazing and proves that the arts is very critical. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, I am going to go to my grave with this in my heart; I am actually getting a <em>Believe</em> tattoo on my shoulder. If I can get it past the wife, I am going to go get my <em>Believe</em> tattoo—I believe in this 100%; this is my calling. My Dad’s a preacher—and this is <em>my </em>ministry right here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> And it’s a wonderful ministry!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg: </span> Thank you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I want to thank you very much for giving me your time, and talking about the Believe Foundation. We will do our utmost to help promote it, get the word out there and get the fans’ support for it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Greg:</span> Please do, I really appreciate it. We have a vision for the Believe Foundation to build a school, The LASAE, and by getting your support, we’re on our way. I really appreciate the time for the interview, and the opportunity. </span><br />
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<object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/6pYbHSsCu6Y?version=3&hl=en_US" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6pYbHSsCu6Y?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6pYbHSsCu6Y?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pYbHSsCu6Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pYbHSsCu6Y</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you would like to offer your support to the Believe Foundation or make a donation, please visit their website and Facebook page. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info">https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info">https://www.facebook.com/#!/believefoundationusa?sk=info</a> </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a> and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc3300;">editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></span></a></span> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.<span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-26471231180051494092011-11-05T18:57:00.000-07:002011-11-05T18:57:17.342-07:00Interview With Omer Bhatti (O-Bee)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv19OwbuPD3A9WIHoWc94qD_PwAGqDp0N5oJUXUEPmWtLo_zTgw8Gbgd49JkJPB70TcrQF23k5GvbCZak-HJXW-8gsbTaf6HsM-3wlWjmJ2RAdT57-mXkT1f3d3iai2WabCWgg-LKqIzw/s1600/6056783306_4a033aba9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv19OwbuPD3A9WIHoWc94qD_PwAGqDp0N5oJUXUEPmWtLo_zTgw8Gbgd49JkJPB70TcrQF23k5GvbCZak-HJXW-8gsbTaf6HsM-3wlWjmJ2RAdT57-mXkT1f3d3iai2WabCWgg-LKqIzw/s1600/6056783306_4a033aba9c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">Omer Michael J Bhatti (O-Bee) has been performing in front of audiences since as long as he can remember, in fact, one could say he literally grew up on the stage. Gifted and passionate, Omer is a young man very much dedicated to his craft, delighting audiences with his own unique and individual style as a </span>h<span style="color: black;">ip-hop musician and performer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Following the success of his first official song</span>,<span style="color: black;"> “All Around the World” featuring Genevieve Jackson, Omer concentrated his efforts on making his first official music video for the smash single, “Life is a Movie.” Released August 19, 2011, the video has received outstanding responses from his supporters, and showcases Omer’s dynamic dance technique and provides a platform for his powerful lyrics.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>My new single “Life is a Movie”, is a very personal song dealing with life under the media’s microscope. It’s a lyrical and visual insight into some of the scrutiny I have had to endure. It’s not criticism on any one person, but I hope it will open the window to my world with a fresh approach. The song is also influenced by the words, training, and experiences of my mentor. </em>O-Bee</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It is well-known that Omers’ mentor was of course, Michael Jackson. Over the years they developed a close friendship and spent considerable time together. There is no doubt that Michael inspired the excellence we see in Omer’s artistry as an individual performer, but this association also provoked an intrusive interest by the media and public into his own private life and relationship with Michael. His song “Life is a Movie,” is as much biographical as it is relating to what Michael underwent, living life under the watchful eyes of the media.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Omer is a very private person, and it was to my delight that he agreed to be interviewed by me for this magazine. Respecting his privacy, this interview has been crafted to highlight his achievements as an artist, musician and dancer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Omer, before we begin, I would like to take a moment to thank you for agreeing to this interview with me, and for giving us the opportunity to help promote your song and music video, “Life Is a Movie”. It is a pleasure and honor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Omer, did you always know that you wanted to be a performer, or was it something that came to you gradually?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer:</span> Music and dance has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I have always wanted to be a performer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What were some of your greatest aspirations?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> I always had the desire to entertain, and I used to be quite competitive as a kid. I tried out many different sports, but I found myself in dance and music.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> How difficult was it for you growing up performing on stage? What sort of sacrifices did you have to make?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span>It was never difficult for me being on stage, since it was something I really enjoyed. I wouldn’t say that I had to make many sacrifices, but I did miss out on school-trips and hanging out with friends on the weekends</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Do you see similar parallels to your early beginnings on stage, to Michael Jackson’s?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span>No, not really. I don’t want to be compared to him. He was on another level. But I guess we both truly loved to entertain. One thing I do want to say is that I wish people wouldn’t say I copy him, because like every other artist out there, yes, I am very inspired by him, but he also straight-up taught and mentored me. So I’m doing things the way I was taught, but adding my own twist to it. Like a martial artist being mentored be his sensei, and then taking that knowledge ahead with you in life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> It says in your bio on your website that as a gifted child, you always danced like entertainers beyond your years. It is clear Michael has a strong influence on your dance style; many of your moves are reminiscent of his, but who else would you say has inspired you in dance in the past and more recently?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer:</span> I am inspired by entertainers such as Frankie Lymon, James Brown and Fred Astaire. But, I’m also inspired by people like Bruce Lee<span style="font-family: Batang;">—</span>I like the way he carried and moved his body.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Omer, you have a very eclectic and unique style of dancing, incorporating various dance forms to make it completely your own. What inspired you to develop this technique?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer:</span> I like to pick up elements from different type of arts and combine them with my own twist. </span><span style="color: black;">Sometimes, my moves might look weird or not technically perfect, but I like to take the body to new places and experiment.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> When you dance Omer, are you there in the moment<span style="font-family: Batang;">—</span>are you thinking about the next move or step, or simply allowing the dance to lead you where it wants to take you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span>When I dance, I completely let go and the music controls my movements. Different music evokes different emotions, which creates different moves. I dance the best when I improvise, but when I am performing, I like to have a few cues in the music, where I “kinda” know what I can do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> “Life Is a Movie” is your first official music video. The way that color is used during different segments is interesting. Sepia tones transcend to stark black and white, and then subtly, color is introduced by way of the red, empty seats of a theater. There again, the use of an empty dance studio and mirror is redolent of Michael. Was the video constructed this way to indicate hidden metaphors?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> Well, first of all, the song is very personal and gives an insight into some of the things I have experienced. We wanted the video to be just as personal, and help people get a better understanding by showing them real visuals...no special effects or green-screens, just me in my element. The one theatre scene is of course inspired my Michael, and a reference to him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> What areas of artistic input did you have in the making of the video? Did you choreograph it entirely yourself?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer:</span> I had a lot of artistic input in this video. I wrote the whole video myself and chose the locations we filmed at. None of the dancing is really choreographed...it is mostly freestyle where we played different music and just had the camera rolling while I did my thing. I was also part of the whole editing process.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Omer, the lyrics of this song tells a powerful yet lonely story of one living a life under scrutiny and criticism. Just how difficult has it been for you living under the watchful eyes of the media and the world?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> Life in public eye can get hard and sometimes lonely. It has made me trust very few people and also a little paranoid. A lot of the attention I have been getting from media has been about my private life, and therefore that’s unwanted attention. I do want to share my artistry, but not my private life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Is the storyline biographical or does the meaning and storyline also relate to what Michael went through during his life?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span>The storyline is biographical to a degree, but certain parts relate to things I saw Michael go though. I have learned a lot from him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>On You Tube, the video and song has received 56,582 hits to date, since its release. How much exposure has it received elsewhere, and what has been the general reaction to it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> Those hits are thanks to my supporters, who are my greatest promoters. They are so dedicated, and it humbles me to see how much time they take to share my work. I posted the video on my own You Tube channel, and promoted it myself on my social accounts and official website - <a href="http://www.omerbhatti.com/">http://www.omerbhatti.com/</a> I hope it will keep getting exposure and open more eyes to me as an artist. </span><span style="color: black;">The general response has been great<span style="font-family: Batang;">—</span>this is my first official music video, and I have much more in store.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Will the song appear on your debut EP, and when can we expect to see its release?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span>Yes, the song will definitely be on my debut EP. There is no date yet, but the plan is early 2012.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>You mention that Michael is your biggest inspiration. Could you share with us what the most important thing was that you learned from him, and the most important piece of advice he gave you?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> One of the mottos I live by is ‘RISE ABOVE’, meaning, not to fall down over obstacles and roadblocks in life, but rather ‘Rise Above’ them. I got that from him. He gave me lots of great advice, and if you take another listen to the song, you will hear some of the lines are actually quotes straight from him, as for example, “The bigger the star, the bigger the target.” He would always say that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> How do you implement that in your personal and professional life?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer:</span> I RISE ABOVE :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> After the release of your debut EP, what is next for you Omer? What plans do you have for your future? Are there any VIPs or companies that are helping to boost your career?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Omer: </span> I am just living in the moment and doing what feels right<span style="font-family: Batang;">—</span>always with love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> The video has been wonderfully crafted, and the song stands on its own as one containing potent dialect. Combined with your dancing, it offers a strong message and an expression of gifted artistry. I believe this is just the beginning of a promising future and long career for you. We wish you luck in all your undertakings and much happiness in your life. Thank you, Omer.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: book antiqua, palatino; font-size: large;"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/Screen-shot-2011-08-28-at-7_42_49-PM-300x300.png" width="300" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">VERSE 1</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Look at me, my life's like a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But this is real life you should sue me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Sit back and watch me do me,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I mean kick back, Bruce Lee</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Am I a knockout? Yeah, probably</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But don't get punched out, Ali</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Media should have left him alone,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">but he kept jabbing, Sylvester Stallone</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I don't worry too much about looks and stares</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I'm a modern day Fred Astaire</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">This is new life, no abortion </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">surrounded by flames, bring torches!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Been under microscopes since adolescent</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But being this famous is rather stressing</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">No more second guessing</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I'm back to the bench pressing</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">CHORUS</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tell me what you see when you see me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Real life, this is not TV</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know you've seen it before</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They all wanna see me fall</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">VERSE 2</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Turn the spotlight off, good night</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Let us reveal the few good types</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Me defeated - is what they would like,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">but in the darkness you will see good light</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I keep sailing, my boat's kinda nice</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But these sharks,- they could bite</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Switch the channel, on to the next one</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Broadcasting live I am the best one</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Born to win since the baby carriage</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Went from nothing to a kings palace</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Heart of a prince, blood of a lion</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">There is no denying</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">This legacy, you can't tarnish</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I was raised by the greatest, I promise</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Honestly, I'm honored </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">See the bigger the star - the bigger the target</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">CHORUS</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tell me what you see when you see me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Real life, this is not TV</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know you've seen it before</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They all wanna see me fall</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">BRIDGE</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yeah,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tell me what you see when you see me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Real life, this is not TV</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yeah,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tell me what you see when you see me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Real life, this is not TV</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know you've seen it before</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They all wanna see me fall</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yeah,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know you've seen it before</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They all wanna see me fall</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">CHORUS</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Tell me what you see when you see me</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Real life, this is not TV</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life is a movie</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know you've seen it before</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They all wanna see me fall</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">My life is a movie, life is a movie, life </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Turn the spotlight off, good night!</span></div> <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpK5lk5C0M">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpK5lk5C0M</a> </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a> and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc3300;">editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></span></a></span> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.<span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-78920513470868897652011-09-05T09:43:00.000-07:002011-09-05T09:43:37.389-07:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtPPXNHq4kuQNuO7iiTezp4H_vP-_y9sEnRKpmI0XBRCUFPkOMXyPT5ygsnkUGWGbYH5Y5MVUj_Cc0_sngOi-3gtV4mbEhVn3bNKSXjS3jcvjTaXYcqfqI2bDWt8tgjT9rotS-w2gk0c/s1600/HIStoryAlbumTeaserBehindTheScenes4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtPPXNHq4kuQNuO7iiTezp4H_vP-_y9sEnRKpmI0XBRCUFPkOMXyPT5ygsnkUGWGbYH5Y5MVUj_Cc0_sngOi-3gtV4mbEhVn3bNKSXjS3jcvjTaXYcqfqI2bDWt8tgjT9rotS-w2gk0c/s320/HIStoryAlbumTeaserBehindTheScenes4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">With everything Michael wore, it became a symbol of who he was, a trademark, completely owned by him. The glittery glove, the sparkly socks, his military-style jackets with colored armbands, the high-water pants, the fedora, the mask, and especially the oversized sunglasses were all a part of the Michael we knew and loved. He was fearless in the ways he expressed himself, both through his music and attire. Not afraid to be different, he challenged society’s conventions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And no one else can quite pull off that air of mystery and intrigue that surrounded Michael, when he stepped out into public hidden behind those large aviators. Many have tried, and still do, but they are missing something integral and important; something other than just imitating the look that Michael made solely his. They are missing a reflection in those glasses that is impossible to replicate. Why? Because they are not one of the most-loved and hated men on earth. They are not the most-famous or photographed entertainer. They are not one of the most-ridiculed, feared and extorted celebrities. They are not the man whose life was lived on the world stage, allowing for neither privacy nor normal life. They are not the man whose appearance and every word or action, was dissected and twisted into something strange, </span>weird<span style="color: black;">, and sinister. They are, simply, not Michael. The reflections that appear in their glasses are quite different from what we see reflected in Michael’s....</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="200" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/34383_129614047078067_100000884163748_142942_210166_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">Look closely at the masses of adoring and loving fans, whom Michael loved equally as much as they do him.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="317" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/267554_10150379758499046_326322074045_10433737_617584_n.jpg" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">See the voracious media with their intrusive cameras and microphones.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="629" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/282782_255517527797116_100000166132666_1151213_7216160_n.jpg" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">See the securitypeople, business associates, hangers-on, curiosity seekers and those infatuated by his celebrity.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="225" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/8486401.jpg" width="300" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">See those who eyed his wealth and fame—greedily swarming around him, pushing and pulling, all hungry for a piece of him and ready to take him down to get it. They all there somewhere, reflected in his glasses. This was the world he viewed: a world that surrounded him wherever he went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Of all the speculation and intrusive curiosity over every aspect of Michael’s life, the most ridiculous was the time spent by the media debating his choice of wardrobe. It disintegrated quickly into something embarrassing and dehumanizing—almost as if they couldn’t or didn’t want to see the “man” himself. Perhaps it was because Michael could not be defined; he didn’t fit into preconceived societal norms, and the more they tried to pigeonhole him, the more angry and fearful of him they became. He made them uncomfortable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">They concentrated their efforts on nitpicking over why he wore this and why he wore that, insinuating that Michael’s penchant for the military style was based on something darker than making a mere fashion statement. And, as with the surgical mask he wore, people were very interested in the reasons behind his wearing the large sunglasses even at night (as if Michael were the only person ever to do this). There were snide comments made about him trying to cover up more plastic surgery, and some went so far as to imply that he was hiding the effects of drug use.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Everything about Michael was turned into a negative by the media; a consistent analysis was brutally waged against him because some could not accept him for what he was and others felt he had stepped out of his place as a definable entity. Still others saw Michael as a means to satisfy their desire for fame and fortune, and power. Michael trusted to easily, simply because he came from a place of love—though in reality, there were very people he could trust at the end of the day because they came from a place of greed, mistrust, fear and plain old jealousy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Michael once said that he didn’t like to look people in the eye—a reason why he wore the sunglasses, almost as if he were creating a protective barrier to guard what vestige of privacy he had left. The eyes are the mirror to the soul, it is said, and Michael’s soul was bruised and battered. He was lonely, he had lost his childhood, he found it difficult to find a true friend or someone to love him as he was, and his trust had been broken by too many claiming to be his friend—his life had become a platform for the media to stand upon and espouse far and wide all that was wrong with him and why we should be suspicious of him. They called him names; they ridiculed and debased his humanity. He felt the pain of all this, and no doubt it was reflected in his eyes; the hurt and disappointment, and the betrayal.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" height="236" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/24677_1290445032948_1584915118_691081_5367582_n.jpg" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" height="294" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/ss11.jpg" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="450" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/1q15.jpg" width="343" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">“I cut and bleed like anyone else”, he said, but still they wanted more from him. With the advent of his 2005 trial, the media went into overdrive and, as we know, very little of went on in that courtroom—the testimonies that were presented in Michael’s favor—were reported by the press. Instead, they chose to report bits and pieces—a mishmash of discredited witness testimony that placed Michael in a bad light—because that provided the fodder for sound bites: easy revenue based on sensational and biased reporting at the expense of a man’s life and reputation. What was left of Michael’s soul was in danger of being lost forever. His very private and intimate personal life was laid bare for the whole world to pick over like hungry vultures. You see it in his eyes, peering out from his wire-framed spectacles: trauma from a life inspected, used, abused and, finally, crucified. There wasn’t much left of him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Well, no more will we see his beautiful, soulful eyes, because they have been closed forever by a man who took an oath to preserve and protect life. A man who held Michael’s life in his hands, and then systematically turned his back on his patient to make some “phone calls”, leaving Michael without the required monitoring equipment, abandoning him to the propofol filling his veins—leaving him alone to die. This man will shortly stand trial for manslaughter; yet, knowing this, the media are still calling it the Jackson trial, and while the defense plays the “blame the victim” game, Michael’s life is once more examined. Michael’s life is once more being prepared for crucifixion.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The spirit lives on—I firmly believe that. Michael’s physical essence has departed this place, and no more will he have to endure the pain or hide behind the frail barrier of masks and glasses. We will no longer see his world reflected in a pair of lenses, but, I believe his spirit is fully aware of the events taking place. His legacy is at stake! His legacy is now in the hands of those who wish to protect it, for no other reason than for the love of a man who was misunderstood and hated without reason. For no other reason than that we know and understand the importance of Michael’s life, we know what the gift of his life is to us, and to the world, really means. Knowing this, when we don our glasses tomorrow, whether it is to protect us from the sun or to enable us to see better, the reflections we see in our glasses should mirror that legacy. He is relying on us, he trusts us and we will be there to protect and preserve what he no longer can.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Based on the idea by Debby Barker</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-20823221721626278862011-09-05T09:30:00.000-07:002011-09-05T09:30:50.545-07:00Interview with Sarah Hall Weaver: Assistant Director of the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl6XbWnMyhbtVgYQuuwDmMw7f6al4O24m5QY5OrHgGHvD-B9Ung2MX_famc7Iys2o29EpbY7GYM1vS96Qhy7LcB_4hEslqA5YvSVMBl21OwrRmn-SefC6diUw-_pYq24Ie6GGD1pjWw0/s1600/mediaManager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl6XbWnMyhbtVgYQuuwDmMw7f6al4O24m5QY5OrHgGHvD-B9Ung2MX_famc7Iys2o29EpbY7GYM1vS96Qhy7LcB_4hEslqA5YvSVMBl21OwrRmn-SefC6diUw-_pYq24Ie6GGD1pjWw0/s320/mediaManager.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">On August 15, 2010, on a night filled with celebration and dance, Michael Jackson was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and </span>Hall of Fame<span style="color: black;">. Spectators, fans and the Saratoga Springs elite, joined together to pay tribute to an artist who has inspired countless musicians, dancers and singers. And for many of Michael’s fans, it was an acknowledgement and recognition of his artistic contributions that had been long overshadowed by unnecessary negativity and controversy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">One year later, I talked to Sarah Hall Weaver, Assistant Director at the National Museum of Dance </span>and Hall of Fame<span style="color: black;">, and asked her questions about the exhibit and her personal involvement in it.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> <img alt="" height="375" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/NMDFrontView_300.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 3px solid; border-left: black 3px solid; border-right: black 3px solid; border-top: black 3px solid;" width="500" /></span></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Sarah, could you give us background on the museum? When was it first established?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> We are located in Saratoga Springs, New York. The National Museum of Dance opened in 1986; this year is actually our 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary! Prior to the opening of the museum, the building was the Washington Bathhouse. After a decline in popularity, the building was left vacant for years. Then Marylou Whitney and Lewis Swyer, the museum's founders, came up with the idea to convert the building into the nation’s only museum dedicated solely to the art of dance—and it remains to this day as the only one in the United States, and one of </span>just a <span style="color: black;">very few scattered throughout the world. The C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame opened in 1987, and remains the only hall of fame that recognizes dance professionals. Since its opening, the museum has continued to offer annually, rotating exhibits, plus various events and programs. It also has its own dance school, The School of the Arts, which offers dance opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>To date, how many inductees are there in the Hall of Fame?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> There are currently 46 inductees in the Hall of Fame. They represent an endless variety of dance and dance professionalism, including dancers, choreographers, writers, musicians, costume designers, and much more!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Where do you get the memorabilia for the exhibits? Is it all donated, or does the museum have to purchase some of it?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> The memorabilia in the rotating exhibits comes from many places. We have our own archival collection that has been gathered throughout the years and many objects are donated or borrowed as new projects arise, but unfortunately we do not have the means to outright purchase memorabilia. The Michael Jackson exhibit is a particularly lovely example of how naturally some projects come together: We had a few things donated initially, but as I was installing the exhibit—during the last week of hammering, painting, building and detailing—we had an influx of private collectors offering their memorabilia to be displayed on loan.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You have a children’s gallery in the museum. Could you tell us about some of the things it offers?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> The Alfred Z. Solomon Children’s Wing is one of our permanent exhibits. It has a variety of toys that inspire explorations of movement and dance, as well as a collection of costumes and props to be used with a curtained stage, so that visiting kids can create their own shows. There is also a reading corner with many books for all age levels that pertain to dance topics, and a video library where our visitors can select their own movies to watch.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Michael Jackson was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, on August 15, 2010, and you mentioned that his exhibit is one of your most popular. Approximately how many guests would you say visit his exhibit each day/month/year?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span>We see on average about 10,000 visitors annually. Our museum and local community cater to a very seasonal audience, so daily and weekly visitor numbers fluctuate throughout the year. I can say that this summer is showing larger numbers of daily visitors than I’ve ever seen in my four summers here, and every week we still have guests arrive with the first question of, “Where is the Michael Jackson exhibit?”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Can you share any reactions from visitors to his exhibit that are especially memorable?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> I am always surprised to see people’s different, individual experiences of the exhibit. We have seen everything from tears to hysterical laughter, and I am always so pleased to see how new guests take it all in. At the induction last August, I had set up a bubble machine in the Jackson 5 section as a special one-night-only effect. The actual ceremony had just ended in our main foyer, and when I went to check on the machine, I found a mother and her toddler playing in the bubbles. I don’t know that I’m a good enough writer to convey the happiness on the little girl's face, but her eyes held nothing less than absolute joy while she danced to the Jackson 5. Her dancing and enjoyment made it very real for me on just how important this exhibit is.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Does his exhibit hold any personal significance for you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span> It really does. Like a lot of people, I’ve been a fan of Michael’s music since I was in preschool, but this project allowed me the opportunity to examine his career in a different light. I got to learn a lot about him, and a lot about myself and my vision for the museum too. Dance is sometimes considered as something elitist and exclusive, but it is so ingrained in our culture and the things we love most—dance IS for everyone. The MJ exhibit allowed me the chance to prove this to our guests who might not otherwise be interested in the strict artistry of ballet, or the abstract messages of modern dance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Personally, what is your favorite part of Michael’s exhibit?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> That’s a hard question. I should probably say the memorabilia, or one of the individual videos, but I really love the glove chandelier. It’s a little silly, but it's fun and an exciting visual. It was a lot of fun (and took a lot of work) to make. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Does the exhibit include Michael’s <em>1983 Motown Anniversary</em> performance?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span>We do not use footage of that moment (because we were unable to get a good enough copy of it), but I make a very clear mention and explanation of that performance in the exhibit's text. Hopefully down the road, we can feature it in the Hall of Fame.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> May I ask what pieces of Michael memorabilia are on display in the exhibit?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> We have a autographed guitar and concert tickets that were donated to the museum. On loan are one of Michael’s fedoras, two signed tour jackets, and a pair of signed jeans that Michael had donated to a charity auction years ago. There are also a few portraits of Michael (by various fine artists), records, photographs, and a pass from the <em>This Is It</em> tour.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Is the exhibit one that can be added to? Can people donate memorabilia into the future?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> Memorabilia donations are always welcome. Donors would simply need to contact the museum with a description of the object, and we would talk from there. Now that Michael is in the Hall of Fame, he will always be represented in our museum. We rotate the memorabilia featured in the Hall of Fame, so as we accumulate more, we will be better able to relay his presence.</span><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Michael left a huge catalogue of dance in his films and concerts...as a child, teenager, and adult. Who was assigned the task of deciding what would be included in his exhibit? Was that difficult to do?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span> I selected the videos and content for the exhibit. It was difficult...and it wasn’t. I spent some time refamiliarizing myself with his videos and career during the research phase of the project, and after I examined the space, the selections really screamed to me. I wanted to highlight five videos or themes, and I wanted to do it chronologically to show his personal development. For those people who may not ever be able to see this exhibit. I chose the Jackson 5 (we put together a compilation video of several pieces of footage), <em>The Wiz</em>, <em>Thriller</em>, <em>Black or White</em> and <em>This Is It</em>. I wanted to cover the spectrum of what he accomplished in his career: films, concerts, music videos, etc. I used text to acknowledge the other obvious alternatives, and we will have the opportunity to feature some of his other videos and dance moments in the ongoing exhibition within the Hall of Fame itself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>How, if at all, are Michael's dance influences (from Fred Astaire to James Brown) being treated, or handled within his exhibition? If they're not being highlighted in some way, are there any plans to do so?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span> I make mention of his dance influences in the exhibit text; Michael made gracious acknowledgment of them throughout his career, and they were so clearly important in aiding the development of his aesthetic. The text is divided to three boards: “His Heritage," “His Development" and “His Legacy." The first is a detailed explanation of his training, Motown roots, and influences. (Happily, Fred Astaire is also in the Hall of Fame!) </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> I imagine the Dance Hall of Fame had to have the Michael Jackson estate's blessing. What was the response when you first contacted them?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span>It took a while for us to find the right contacts to reach the estate, but once we did, they were so supportive and kind. They sent a lovely letter and gave us their best wishes. It meant so much more that they felt honored on Michael's behalf, as we sought to recognize his dance contributions. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="334" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/Induction.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 3px solid; border-left: black 3px solid; border-right: black 3px solid; border-top: black 3px solid;" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Have any celebrities or Jackson family members, relatives, or friends visited the Michael Jackson exhibit, and if so, who?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> Marlon Jackson accepted the award at the induction ceremony on Michael's behalf. He was a wonderful guest, and spoke beautifully of his brother. Katherine (Michael’s mother) and Michael's children sent letters that we were able to read to the guests at the ceremony. We have also had several other people who were familiar with Michael, visit the museum.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> What various items related to Michael are on sale in the gift shop?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> We have T-shirts and totes that were specially made for the museum (available at <a href="http://www.dancemuseum.org/">http://www.dancemuseum.org/</a>), as well as posters, pocket folders, key chains, etc. We are also printing a 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary book that will be available for sale soon—it has profiles, quotes, and graphics on each of our Hall of Fame members, to celebrate the museum's 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary. As the most recent inductee, Michael is the last member profiled in the book, and it is wonderful to include him alongside the 45 others.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Do you intend to continue with plans to create a memorial garden in Michael’s name? What can we, as fans, do to help make this happen?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah:</span> Unfortunately, the plans for the memorial garden fell through. We loved the idea, and had high hopes of seeing it become a reality, but the organization and implementation of the garden was actually coordinated by an outside fan group and things simply did not come together. Our small staff cannot oversee a project this big on our own right now, but we hope to reconsider it in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Does the museum get a lot of support? What can we do to help with this, and to promote more awareness?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span>Support is growing, but we do need much, much more. Membership at every level is crucial to the museum. It means not just financial support, but encouragement. We are currently working tirelessly to expand our national recognition. We are seeing more hits on our website, more daily phone calls and emails, more interest in donating financially or archivally. We just need to keep it coming, we love where we’re going, and we love doing it for the betterment of dance and our national and local communities!</span><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Mr. Jackson, so deserves to be included in the Dance Hall of Fame. We want to personally thank you for recognizing his cultural impact and contributions in the field of dance. I also want to personally thank you for taking the time to do this interview.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sarah: </span>I would also like to thank you! I am so happy to interview with you. The MJ exhibit has been a great experience for the museum, and we look forward to furthering his legacy for years to come!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a> and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email <span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc3300;">editor@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></span></a></span> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.<span style="color: #333333;"></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-3307125615617979742011-08-03T12:52:00.000-07:002011-08-13T16:37:08.035-07:00The Comment<span style="color: black;">What does Amy Winehouse, victims of the current famine in the Horn of Africa, Michael Jackson, and a rape victim from Libya all have in common? They, among others, are the target for what is becoming a common source of pleasure and entertainment for many, and the opportunity for others to spew forth their own unique brand of virtual psychological and emotional terrorism, and that is, “The Comment”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Almost everywhere you navigate online, facebook, You Tube, forums, discussion threads, news articles, or blogs, there is nearly always an opportunity for the reader to leave a comment, and it is here on this platform that we have an insight into the hearts and minds of those leaving their comments.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And an ugly picture is emerging; one of a sector of humanity, which has lost the ability to be humane, to be empathetic, to feel love, to show compassion, and to forgive. But, perhaps I am over-generalizing. Would it be better to say that a picture is emerging of a sector of humanity, of a society that is full of anger, cruelty and hate, and with an attitude of, “I don’t give a damn as long as it doesn’t affect my life”; an attitude of complacency and of living in a “bubble” mentality? Still over-generalizing? Too harsh? Unsubstantiated? Unfounded? A tad too critical and self-righteous? Allow me then, to let you be the judge.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Upon hearing that Amy Winehouse had died, I went to Youtube to revisit her marvelous voice and talent that had not been given a chance to reach its full potential. Death has an insidious tendency to cut short life, and Amy’s was indeed, taken from her much too soon. The world already knew of Amy’s demons and the battle she fought to exorcise them. That took courage to do, especially when she was faced with the knowledge that the eyes of the media were watching, and waiting for her to stumble and fall, providing more fodder for their hungry readers. While a lot of comments I read praised Amy for her fight and showed compassion, many more degraded and ridiculed her, in a torrent of senseless and venomous hate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“It was her own fault she died early, shouldn't of been a crack head who had needle holes in her toes!, if you saw a heroin addict outside a shop with a good voice and died of an overdose the next week, would you say she died too<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> early, or would you say it’s her own fault? Think about that for a second”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“She was a Drug addict, she’s not a victim. You guys are f***ing<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> idiots if you think she’s some poor girl. Why don’t you look up the videos of her smoking crack before you support someone who endorses a lifestyle like that”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“ADDICTS = BIG STINKING CRAPS !!! ADDICTS = BIG STINKING CRAPS !!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Let’s face it all she was ... was a smack head and a p**s head she had her chances to get clean and she didn’t, so I have no sympathy”!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“I'm actually very ok with her perishing, I mean one more drug addict off the streets it's not a bad thing, I bet most people pass thru junkies and/or hobos and speak very bad things about them<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> so I don't know what is so different from her (besides she sings woopdi doo!)”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And the icing on the cake….</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Not enough money in the world for her sick lust for meth. She shoulda just ended it by drinking windshield wiper. Then maybe the world would be spared by her screeching that she calls singing. Coincidentally, she was<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> probably singing on screech. LULZ”!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">So, now let us proceed to the current famine crisis in the Horn of Africa, particularly, Somalia. Just speaking the word Somalia, for some, leaves a bitter after-taste in the mouth, because for Americans, emotions run deep and memories are long over events that occurred in Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. I can understand this, for what took place that day touched the world with the same feelings of outrage and horror. But, you cannot blame a whole nation for the actions of a few.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The people of Somalia are poor, and have been trying to survive in a country plagued by years of conflict. They are farmers and herdsmen for the most part, struggling to make a living, and a way to feed their families on a land that is as unyielding and relentlessly brutal as the conflict that surrounds them. Thousands flee to refugee camps, sometimes facing conditions not much better than from the ones they escaped from, and often leaving behind their children, who have been taken by rebels to train as soldiers in their army. Now, they are in the grip of the worst famine in nearly twenty years, and we see images of children with huge eyes and skeletal little bodies; their mothers weeping and praying for someone to save the life of their child. Aid has been slow to reach them because of the conflict, and what aid has been sent, falls far short of what is needed to effectively counter the hunger crisis.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I have read many articles pertaining to the famine, and comments left by some, have been particularly cruel and ugly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Oh well not my problem....... I don’t live in Africa”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“When I get the urge to contribute, I think of how much these people hate people like me and the urge goes away”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Not only do I not care, but I am pleading for people to ignore their calls for help. Yes, someone is still bitter over the Black Hawk Down thing”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Let nature run its<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> course.....stop sending food, financial aid (money pit), send birth control”!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“I actually like watching<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> people suffer”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And the winner is….</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“F*** THEM LET STARVE!!! Or better yet let the n****r rapists <span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>and basketball players and all the other n*****s with money feed them”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Now, enter Michael Jackson, who was and still is, relentlessly pursued by a media determined to pry into every detail of his life, to dissect his every word and action, to publically put him on display as a “freak” and “weirdo”, to twist and manipulate every grain of truth, to portray him as a monster, pedophile, and drug addict, all for a juicy headline and a fat paycheck at the end of the week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">For most of his talented and brilliant life, Michael Jackson has been the target of hate, jealousy, prejudice, and ridicule, and even death has not saved his name and legacy from this continuous assault. The fire started long ago by tabloid reporters looking to gain a name for themselves in a business that had once been founded on integrity and truth, and continually fanned by die-hard supporters of sensationalistic headlines, is still being stoked by pens that should have run out of ink long ago.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“What happened?<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> Why is this<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> molester still on YouTube? Huh”!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“Yay... The<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> KING OF THE PEDOPHILES is dead. Little boys around the world, rejoice.. your p***s is now safe”!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“It’s funny how people cry over a f****d up guy that was trying to look like a girl and raped little kids”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“It’s incredible to forget how absolutely normal Michael Jackson looked back in the 70’s and 80’s, attractive even, before turning into the sideshow freak that he became”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">“I wonder how much his nose went for on EBay after his death..... It was still in decent shape, only a couple <span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>years old”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And the pièce de résistance….. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“I was really disappointed last Saturday. I was rafting with some friends and missed Michael's two year anniversary of his death. I just wanted to stop by and say happy anniversary Mike. I hope you are rotting in hell you filthy, drug addicted, and child molesting freak. I hope your final <span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>moments were painful as your body was overtaken by the overdose. I hope you choked on your own vomit and felt your insides bloating up. You did it to yourself you fag. No one killed you except you. Trash pedophile”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Ah, so eloquently penned.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And, lastly, we arrive at the Libyan woman, who burst into a Tripoli hotel where international journalists were based, claiming she had been gang-raped and beaten by Gadhafi’s forces. She has now been granted asylum in the United States.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Again, emotions and memories run deep in the hearts of many, as they remember the events that took place 11 years ago, on 9/11/2000. The act of terror played out on American soil, hit the heart and soul of this country, because no one dreamed, or thought that something like this could ever occur here. Trust turned to suspicion, courage turned to fear, children were educated about national security, and minds and hearts were redefined in the days and weeks that followed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">But again, you can’t blame an entire nation, or religion, on the acts of those who choose terrorism as a means to an end. They are not to blame for someone else’s agenda.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“Hilary Clinton needs to be slapped and removed from office for letting another freeloader into our country to live off our system”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“Just what we need another lying asylum seeker from a terrorist country that the American taxpayers will be taking care of for years to come along with all her relatives that will now be given Visas and allowed to immigrate here”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“Send her back to where the hell she came from. How long will it be before she starts making demands on our government. The last thing we need in this country is more Muslim's. Send her to France. Enough Muslims in our country”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“While I feel for this woman, once again we will make this woman a celebrity, rich, while people, who have lived and struggled all their lives, will have to listen to her story for the next 6 months. I'm sorry, but send her a** back and save taxpayers a lot of money. Who knows, probably lying anyway. Whatever happened to the wino with the great voice? Probably back on crack, spending the money he made off his 15 minutes of fame”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“Great. Another terror cell is now set up in the U.S. Why doesn't one of the freaking Muslim countries offer her asylum? She'll be on welfare and at the same time plotting death to the American people”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And on a scale of 1 to 10, this comment received a zero...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“It would be interesting to find out how many family members she’s got. Probably hundreds. In a way I don’t have a problem with Muslim women seeking asylum. I much prefer that to the tidal wave of young Muslim men invading Europe. Illiterate, criminal scum, with no other reason to migrate than to make Europe’s white people suffer”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The comments above are just a small proportion of what is really out there, and if you take notice, you will see commenter’s falling into definite patterns and groups.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The hit and run commenter’s are people who sign up on different sites, proceed to run someone over with their particular brand of unsavory words, and then flee the scene without checking for a pulse. They specifically troll the internet to see where they can do the most damage. You see this quite often on social websites such as facebook, You Tube, Twitter, and Topix.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Then, there are commenter’s who enter the room fully-armed, fire at point-blank range, sit back smugly and with a misguided sense of satisfaction, and read the effect their vitriolic and often pointless attack has had on another person. They then engage in verbal warfare with anyone who chooses to fight back, becoming increasingly more hateful with their comments, until they either get bored and move on to their next victim, or are blocked and reported. But, blocking and reporting is little deterrence when one can easily set up another anonymous profile.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And, let’s not forget the comments left to news articles. I will admit that a lot of commenter’s in this arena have constructive and intelligent comments to make. But, things will get heated when discussing sensitive issues, such as politics and religion. It is when you see strong opinions clash with other strong opinions that the sparks will fly and tempers will be lost, and eventually there ensues a melee of mud-slinging. In the quickly disintegrating atmosphere, certain personality types are easily recognized, while others remain hidden behind their strategically, veiled agendas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Most news sites have moderators, who read each comment that has been submitted before giving the approval for it to be published. If the comments above, and others that I have read made the final cut, I would hate to read the ones that weren’t given approval. I know we have the 1<sup>st</sup> Amendment in this country, which entitles all people to freedom of speech, but at best, it appears that it is being used as a screen to hide behind while dumping the muck from the bottom of the barrel. Why do people do this? What is their motivation? What are their individual agendas, because what people are bringing to the virtual table, appears to be multi-faceted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Far from being an expert on this, my guess is as good as the next person’s, but, three distinct groups of commenter’s are emerging. You have, to all intents and purposes, the stereotypical and mean-spirited bully; the hit and run commenter whose purpose is to elevate him or herself socially, and to gain a sense of superiority. The fully-armed commenter; the one who likes to linger and watch their victims squirm with their continuous, verbal assault, seem to have no other purpose than to spread their hate far and wide. Perhaps, this is because hate is all they are capable of feeling. The last group is hard to define, but it seems to be comprised of an eclectic assortment of racists, bigots, the amateurish, armchair, political analysts, the quasi-religious, the self-opinionated, the self-righteous, and the apathetic. Quite the melting pot, really.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It’s through comments that we get a sense of the disturbing nature of some people’s minds and lives. Bitterness, anger, apathy and hate come to the forefront, and one has to wonder what has happened to these people. What has occurred in their lives to make them feel so bitter, angry, apathetic and hateful? Are they relating to these stories from personal experience? Do they see themselves mirrored in the accusations they hurl at others? Are they victims or perpetrators themselves, trying to shift the focus from themselves on to others?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">We can only speculate, at best, what the motives and reasons behind a comment are, but one thing that can’t be argued is that no matter what the topic or subject is, in the virtual world, everyone is vulnerable. And the terrifying thing is that people can hide behind their anonymity on the internet. No one knows who you are. The person who leaves you one of these comments could be your best friend, next-door neighbor, work colleague, or a member of your own family. Kind of scary isn’t it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">© Valmai Owens, 2011. All Rights Reserved.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">No reproduction without permission from author.</span>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-81938062712839017322011-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:002011-07-31T10:01:42.839-07:00Finding Michael<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjXMZ3hFL5J9TXDMh8KsAe_NxRo6dWuDmuOJP9GLmmeCUsaQZdUGGm-7eL4Lqh59pzLDQObcAx_xrDtn05ONXZI2UmOEFz1BFrTIh8z1OwsHyOmTZgzhrOzWuDRQke4taAoAO9F61b6w/s1600/183772_10150188426263858_711583857_8985603_5200247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjXMZ3hFL5J9TXDMh8KsAe_NxRo6dWuDmuOJP9GLmmeCUsaQZdUGGm-7eL4Lqh59pzLDQObcAx_xrDtn05ONXZI2UmOEFz1BFrTIh8z1OwsHyOmTZgzhrOzWuDRQke4taAoAO9F61b6w/s1600/183772_10150188426263858_711583857_8985603_5200247_n.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It happened almost the minute I walked off the plane. There was a feeling of familiarity, and of stepping back in time to 2010.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I greeted friends that I had met last year, and met others for the first time. It was wonderful, yet strange to see the faces of those I had only communicated with via the internet and by telephone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Yes, this was familiar ground to me. Last year, I had left behind a piece of my heart and soul, and I expected to feel the same emotions I had at that time, but I didn’t. I expected to find Michael where I had felt his presence last year, but I didn’t. Instead, I sensed a difference in the air; a difference in me. Perhaps it was because the grief and pain wasn’t quite so raw and new, not so all-consuming. There was silent resignation within me that he had physically departed, and no more would we see the life-force shine from eyes that had on lit up our world. I know deep down inside I had already reached that acceptance long before my trip, but being in that space where Michael had lived and breathed, reinforced it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I had felt his spirit at Neverland when I made my first journey. The air had held traces of laughter and music, and softly spoken words. Lingering and tangible, I had felt the happiness and peace that had once reigned in this place, and the ground had welcomed me with open arms. But it had been a gift given just for that moment; fleeting and temporary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">My second journey here held nothing of my previous experience. The air was still, as shimmering heat filled the valley. My eyes skimmed over hills, and along the road that led to his home, forever hidden from my view. And I waited with eyes closed for a sense of connection to return, to hear the quiet whispers of yesteryear, but silence hung heavy. This ground was waiting, as was I, for its beloved child to return, because Michael was not here, not this time. I knew that this would be my last visit to Neverland, but I felt no sense of abandonment or disappointment. There was no sadness as I turned my back and walked away, rather, I felt I was being led to find him elsewhere, and I did.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Unexpectedly, I found Michael in the living; in the smiling, happy faces of children eager to share how he had inspired them. Their simple, yet beautiful dot drawings proudly displayed before an audience who bathed in their youthful glow of exuberance. I found Michael in a teacher’s quiet dedication and love, in a principal’s smile, in a parent’s commitment, and in the soft lilt of an Irish tongue. His hand shook, blue eyes clouded as tears filled, and his voice broke as he recalled time spent with Michael. No doubt was left in any of us sitting in that special place that Patrick had truly loved, and dearly missed his friend. A gift was given and a connection made.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Michael was there in the strength and spirituality, and the clear brown eyes of another friend, one whose presence filled the room with light. A soft hand shook ours, and strong arms encircled us; arms that had at one time, wrapped themselves around Michael. Humble and genuine, Jonathan shared precious memories of 33 years, retelling conversations, and expressing feelings openly. We felt drawn to, and held captive in the same space he had shared with Michael. We were there. Another gift given, another connection made, drawing us closer together and to Michael.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">He was there in the sparkling waters and gentle waves of a Pacific beach. In the clear blue sky and hot sun, in the cool water as it washed over my feet, and in the quiet company of my companions, I felt Michael’s presence quietly watching, and smiling at the simple pleasure we felt in walking across warm sand, and breathing in salty air.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I found him at Disneyland in the excited laughter of adults and children; in the magic and fantasy so perfectly created for all ages, just as once Michael’s Neverland had been. On a giant screen he came at me in 3D, and he was there in the exhausted silence from having spent a day as that long, lost child of my past. He was there in the fans that waited on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame for their dots to be placed near his heart. Their eyes lit in happiness as cameras clicked, but tears expressed a moment worth more than any picture could capture.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">When Jonathan and Alex joined on stage, I found Michael again. He flowed through the music, coming alive once again through the beat of drums and bass guitar. Two men became lost in time, as once again they came together to play for Michael. Absorbed in the rhythm and power of “Earth Song” and “Man in the Mirror”; living it, breathing it, feeling it, they became the music and the music became them. They were not just giving Michael 100%; they were giving him 10,000%, as they always had, as they always would, not because he had demanded it, but because they had loved and respected him too much not to give all of themselves to him and the performance.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Hands clapped, bodies danced, and voices sang. The atmosphere changed, and became energized; charged with electricity. I stood silent, and unable to move as I watched and listened. I kept looking for Michael to appear on the stage with them, but then, I knew he already was. He was inside them. Another gift given, another connection made.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And finally, I found him at Forest Lawn. Not down the cold, dark corridor where his body lay, but in the banners and cards; the gifts and thousands of flowers laid by those who had come to honor his life with their tokens of love. He was there in the hearts of the fans that had gathered. He was there in the hearts and beautiful faces of my friends. He was there in his brother Randy, as he stepped from his car to connect with the fans, and in one special man, who sat with a few us in a quiet moment. A man, who is creating an image of Michael on canvas, joining a world together through magical little dots; a man, who when once he found out that a tiny bug was on his back, asked that it not be harmed or killed when removed. Another gift given, another connection made.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Last year, I told you that a piece of my heart and soul was left behind. This year I left more, and gave pieces of myself to be carried over distances and oceans, scattered, but still connected through a journey shared, through words spoken, memories and silent tears, and warm embraces. I had been touched by something very special and beautiful; a gift given and a connection made; forever changed. I now carry the knowledge and understanding that something bigger and greater than me, than of all of us, is at work here. And that is love.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-46214328819322139182011-07-31T09:57:00.000-07:002011-07-31T10:02:05.652-07:002Cellos: An Interview with Stjepan Hauser and Luka Šulić<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLcWrOQlk90epbptzRBs_MUmko7SuPetaWoNE2cI1ao9fc2QfC5dtxlnTQgEitg97fOOXUTrfskAvCQLzqgWmWcF7GSv4lcpXA4uMOzwy0hdOshD4_GrHHuyCeSmdqscHPqqqn9g2ipA/s1600/2CELLOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLcWrOQlk90epbptzRBs_MUmko7SuPetaWoNE2cI1ao9fc2QfC5dtxlnTQgEitg97fOOXUTrfskAvCQLzqgWmWcF7GSv4lcpXA4uMOzwy0hdOshD4_GrHHuyCeSmdqscHPqqqn9g2ipA/s320/2CELLOS.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Before Stjepan Hauser and Luka Šulić of 2Cellos launched themselves onto our collective radar with their energetic and brilliantly executed version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” they were already respected and well-known concert cellists in the classical music world. But one video changed their lives forever and now their careers are moving in different and exciting directions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">In interviewing Stjepan and Luka, I found them both to be delightful, well-grounded young men and artists. They are both exceedingly talented musicians and I have no doubt that we will be hearing a lot more from them in the not-too-distant future.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Can you tell us how long you </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">have</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> been playing the cello? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan: </span>Luka started when he was 5 and me, when I was 8. Now he is 23, and I’m 24.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Was the cello your first choice of musical instrument? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Yes, absolutely, we fell in love with it immediately</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> What made you choose this instrument as opposed to the more popular violin?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Cello sound is so beautiful and warm, its sound so natural, and it is the closest to the human voice and much more pleasant than the violin!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You are both still very young, yet you have played with world-renowned orchestras in some of the most prestigious concert halls around the world, giving outstanding performances. Success like this requires dedication and sacrifice. Can you share some of the sacrifices you have had to make? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> We dedicated our entire lives to cello and music. We were practicing all along and didn´t really have a childhood the way other kids had. We didn't go out much during the high school days either. While other friends were having fun in clubs, we were practicing at home very hard.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> What have been some of your most memorable concert experiences?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Every concert is a special and different experience and it is hard to point out any.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> In January of this year, you posted a self-made video on You Tube of your version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” Can I ask what the inspiration was behind your choice of song?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span>We were always huge fans of Michael Jackson, and since we are cello fanatics we wanted to play a song by our biggest hero on the cellos. “Smooth Criminal” is the song that worked out the best from his songs, and we thought it could rock great on the cello!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> How long have you both been fans of Michael Jackson?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span> For the past 3 years.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Has Michael Jackson inspired you in other aspects of your musical style and playing as cellists? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Of course! A lot! His amazing energy, imagination, fantasy and unbelievable unique style and charisma have always been our big inspiration.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Was “Smooth Criminal” difficult to play on the cello? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span>Extremely! It is, in our opinion, the hardest cello piece ever!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> To date, your video has received over 5.6 million views and virtually became an overnight success. Did you have any idea it would be this well-received by so many in such a short time? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span>We were hoping to receive more attention than usual, but we really didn‘t expect that one week after, Sony, Elton John, Ellen [DeGeneres] and many, many others would contact us! Our life changed overnight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> How did it feel to receive a record deal with Sony MASTERWORKS? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span> Great! We received deals from many other record companies, but SONY was the best choice!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>You also received a phone call from Sir Elton John inviting you to tour with him on his European tour this summer. How did you react to this? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> He called on the phone directly, so it was a real surprise and shock! The first time he called, he spoke about his excitement and admiration toward our music. A few hours later, he called again and asked if we would like to tour with him and already mentioned some dates. He was a really, really nice, adorable gentleman.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> When does the tour begin and what preparations are you making to ready yourselves for it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> The tour begins in June. We are at the moment finishing our CD. As soon as we finish, we will start preparing for the tour!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> How does it feel to know you are touring with the legendary Sir Elton John? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span> It is an absolutely amazing experience to tour with a living legend, one of the greatest musicians alive. It is an honor and a once-in-a-life-time opportunity.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Because of the timing of this interview, it was unable to be published for our June 1, issue. The 2Cellos have now been on tour with Sir Elton John for almost six weeks.)</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> On April 25, you appeared on an episode of <em>The Ellen DeGeneres Show</em>. What was that experience like for you and how did it feel playing “Smooth Criminal” before millions of viewers? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Luka: </span> It was a crazy experience. The first time we played, we played with so much adrenaline and energy that Stjepan broke his bow!! The audience went wild! Then he ran off the stage to take a spare bow that he never played on before. Then we did it again, a bit cooler!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Within a four-month period starting from the time you first posted your video on You Tube, you have signed a record deal, will tour with one of the greatest artists of our time and appeared on national television with one of the USA’s most famous and popular talk-show hosts. Has rising to stardom in such a short time affected you in any way? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span> Not at all! We are the same humble guys from before. We are not spoiled and we want to stay that way!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Are you aware that Sony has blocked the original video you posted in January? If so, can you share the reasons for this? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> We are aware. It is because they have to put all the videos they own through the VEVO channel. So now it is on 2CellosVEVO's Channel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>Your debut album, available in July, will feature covers of Guns N' Roses, Sting, U2 and Nirvana songs. That is an eclectic genre! Are you fans of all of those artists as well? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Well, at first we were only MJ fans and that is why we started with “Smooth Criminal.” We were always very into classical music before and didn‘t even know many of the artists and songs that we are recording now. Everything happened and changed so quickly, and we are getting to know more and more music we didn‘t know existed. From bands, we like AC/DC and U2. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Will “Smooth Criminal” also be included on your debut album? Have you any plans to record more of Michael Jackson’s music?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> Of course! There is also one more of his songs on the album and in the future we will do more!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>What comes next for you after the album is released and you have completed your tour with Sir Elton John? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka:</span> There is a concert: the iTunes Festival on 25 July in London, and straight after that we go to the USA to do more TV shows and promote our record everywhere. Then our tours begin!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Stjepan and Luka, t</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">hank you so much for answering my questions. I wish you all the best for your upcoming tour and the release of your debut album, both of which I am sure will be a huge success.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Stjepan/Luka: </span>Thank you very much! All the best!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">2Cellos "Smooth Criminal"</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span></strong></span><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/uploads_user/4000/3914/154999.jpg" width="331" /><img alt="" height="500" src="http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/uploads_user/4000/3914/154998.jpg" width="339" /></span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span></strong></span><span style="font-family: andale mono, times;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span></strong></span></div> <br />
<object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjOQac1vOEc?version=3&hl=en_US" height="349" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjOQac1vOEc?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjOQac1vOEc?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjOQac1vOEc&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjOQac1vOEc&feature=player_embedded</a><br />
<a href="http://stjepanhauser.webs.com/biography.htm">http://stjepanhauser.webs.com/biography.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lukasulic.net/Luka_Sulic_Cellist/biography.html">http://www.lukasulic.net/Luka_Sulic_Cellist/biography.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-68093899458446312592011-07-31T09:49:00.000-07:002011-07-31T09:49:23.900-07:00A Tree Grows Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFAOOLDLpA7k_1bbbTm67se45SUO6XFwtT7bRtSPcvt3EiKa7BjzQjNacDE61pP8lJVOE3MDtighPFHg0XgRWp5NlTP-CS59Hp6dZJzufcv2hMyoUe3xi4epNLIne-OFxJZGb6SeprPw/s1600/amazingsuntree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFAOOLDLpA7k_1bbbTm67se45SUO6XFwtT7bRtSPcvt3EiKa7BjzQjNacDE61pP8lJVOE3MDtighPFHg0XgRWp5NlTP-CS59Hp6dZJzufcv2hMyoUe3xi4epNLIne-OFxJZGb6SeprPw/s1600/amazingsuntree.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Trees. They are an ancient source of wisdom and knowledge to mystics and followers of the old ways. The old ones have stood for countless years as strong sentinels, protecting the secrets and truth of ages past. Sheltering and nurturing new life, their roots spread wide and deep into the ground, to anchor against the storms that nature brings. Branches may fall; they may snap from the strength of prevailing winds, but the body remains strong and ready to regenerate new limbs in the calm that follows.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It is an endless cycle of growth and rebirth; an example of strength, persistence and fortitude and it can be likened to this community. We are the limbs of a tree whose roots are firmly planted in the legacy one special man left behind. We guard and protect his legacy of truth and love and justice, of selfless giving and of humbleness, of the artistry of his music and dance. And we carry his voice of change within us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">We fight against the disease of injustice that helped to destroy him, and against the hatred, jealousy and self-service that grows amongst us. We can prune those branches who serve no other purpose than to leech nutrients from the soil in which we grow. And some branches will fall when the winds are too strong for their lightness of being to withstand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">But new life grows and will continue to do so. Our branches will keep spreading and injustice will be righted. The truth of this man will become known to all through our words, our actions and the music of his life. He planted a seed and watered it with love, and now a tree grows here in our hearts. A tree grows here!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>What Brought Us Here?</strong></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">What brought us here to this place where we stand?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Was it the melody sung or the poem penned during sleepless nights?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Or was it that first whisper where consciousness floated to a single awareness?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We felt it trace the outline of our thoughts</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Skimming across indifference and careless disregard</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Eyes and ears opened</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And when the whisper gave birth to the voice</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We heard, we saw, we felt the shift to a place outside ourselves</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Eyes viewed a different world</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our slumber was over and we had awoken to a new reality</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ears heard an age-old message</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">One now sung upon the pages of history</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Through the lyrics of one life</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A life filled with the joy of living</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of children and laughter</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of the pain of betrayal</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In service to others through unselfish love</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of dance and song</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Change came to us</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And we embraced it</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Cradled and protected within newfound knowledge</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So, what brought us here to this place where we stand?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A man the color of hope</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A man the shape of love</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A man carrying a powerful truth</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Gone is the body, but his voice will never be silenced</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Because we, now speak his message</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></span><span style="color: black;">A man the shape of love</span></span><span style="color: black;">A man the color of hope</span></span><span style="color: black;">Of dance and song</span></span><span style="color: black;">In service to others through unselfish love</span></span><span style="color: black;">Of the pain of betrayal</span></span><span style="color: black;">Of children and laughter</span></span><span style="color: black;">A life filled with the joy of living</span></span><span style="color: black;">Ears heard an age-old message</span></span><span style="color: black;">Our slumber was over and we had awoken to a new reality</span></span><span style="color: black;">Was it the melody sung or the poem penned during sleepless nights?</span> </div> <br />
<object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/PQmoitUJBLE?version=3&hl=en_US" height="349" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PQmoitUJBLE?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PQmoitUJBLE?version=3&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQmoitUJBLE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQmoitUJBLE</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-29140714180621448522011-07-31T09:31:00.000-07:002011-07-31T09:31:13.715-07:00Interview with Cadeflaw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmw9CDiW8fB8RBoAO7vIL5doAOCzuL_w2w-YXi2EAbJlLhvm2s2PXFGvaiY4Oa4a35E-4QWmh8Qu_F5yA0Oa7GtE1vq84RE7MkMZW9awND4MTvspAU2eZ2DDWxL9VKQBX5siEWo40wVQ/s1600/Cadeflaw+Image+with+burnt+edges.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmw9CDiW8fB8RBoAO7vIL5doAOCzuL_w2w-YXi2EAbJlLhvm2s2PXFGvaiY4Oa4a35E-4QWmh8Qu_F5yA0Oa7GtE1vq84RE7MkMZW9awND4MTvspAU2eZ2DDWxL9VKQBX5siEWo40wVQ/s1600/Cadeflaw+Image+with+burnt+edges.png" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">In 2009, not long after the death of Michael Jackson, a group of women met on through a Michael Jackson community, on Amazon.com. They found they had many things in common, including a deep concern for how Michael had been unfairly portrayed throughout his life by the media. Realizing the impact this would have on his legacy, they banded together and formed the idea to try and have a law passed in California that would make it illegal to defame the dead. Cadeflaw was born.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">In this interview, Lauren and I spoke with several Cadeflaw members. It came as no surprise to either of us to learn that they have conducted intelligent research into what is needed to have a law like this passed, and their organization is well-structured. They are also 100% committed and dedicated to seeing this project through to the end.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span> Could you tell us how and when Cadeflaw was formed, and how you initially came to be involved in this project? Obviously Michael was the main inspiration behind it, but were there other factors?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Karen: </strong></span> Back in 2009, when Michael passed away, quite a few people (myself included), had a really hard time with his death. We really didn’t know what to do with our grief. We found a group on an Amazon thread called, “Why are we still crying about Michael Jackson?” Through that thread I met a lot of wonderful people. We talked back and forth, while holding our hearts on our sleeves for Michael. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Everybody wanted vindication for Michael, and I happened to see an article that you had written, called <em>Truth vs. Sensationalism,</em> which really sparked something in my heart. Mary Brookins and I spoke, and we decided if we wanted to do something, we had to stand up and do it now. If we got enough support, we were going to try to file a class action suit against the media. I contacted my attorney, and I was told that a class action suit was not going to handle the problem.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I gave that information to Mary, and we decided to attempt an anti-defamation effort. Mary prepared </span><span style="color: black;"><em>The Michael Jackson Legacy Anti-Defamation Law</em> to present to California legislators.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary: </strong></span>Initially,<strong> </strong>it was Michael,<strong> </strong>but we believe it’s wrong to defame the character of <em>any</em> deceased person. They can’t defend themselves—and my personal mission is to help those left behind who suffer emotionally and financially, to protect and preserve the legacy of their loved ones. I think this law will provide them with that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Defamation offends the deceased's relatives; it exposes the family to public hatred, contempt, ridicule; it blackens the memory of their loved ones; and it provokes a breach of peace between people. That’s what drives me to be active and to stay active with this.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong> </span>Yes. I came across this idea, and I put some deep thought into it. I wanted to see what the ladies were doing. I thought that this would be something I would be very blessed and proud to be a part of.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">It’s not just Michael; there are other stars who have passed away that the media have done this to also—perhaps not on the same scale, but it hurts me to see this. So that’s why I am here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Well, that’s how the tabloids/media-loids earn their ratings and make their money, not just in California, but everywhere. In California, the star capital of the world, they have a well-spring of celebrities at which to point their cameras and write about, truthfully or not. They expose people’s private lives on magazine covers, on TV, in newspapers, and on the Internet. I know these people are still alive, but the legacy they will leave behind will be tainted.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Barbara:</strong></span> Part of that is that we have allowed the media to go too far. We enabled them, and they have no regard for anyone, including children. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Yes, and like you said, we have enabled them; we have allowed them to get this far, and somewhere we have to take responsibility for that. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Barbara:</strong> </span> Yes, we are making poor decisions about our medicine, what to purchase, what schools to send our children to—everything that involves our lives—off of their misinformation. Because we don’t stand up to them, they continue to do it, and they continue to use the First Amendment and the Shield laws to protect themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span> Karen, we understand that you went to California last year, and met with Tom Mesereau. Can you tell us what his advice was?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Karen:</strong> </span> I was going to California in October, 2010, to visit my daughter, who is in the military. I decided I was going to see Tom Mesereau while I was there. I got in touch with his office and after a number of calls, Mr. Mesereau called me and we set up an appointment in November, 2010.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Mr. Mesereau is the most eloquent, elegant man I have ever met. He was extremely kind, and he gave me 45 minutes of his time free of charge. He was kind enough to look through our anti-defamation law petition. At that time, he noticed that there were a few things that needed to be changed in the wording of the petition letter. He advised me that he is a criminal defense attorney, not a defamation attorney, which of course, I understood. He did, in fact, change some of the wording, and we had a very nice conversation. Mr. Mesereau gave me his phone number, and told me if he could help in anyway, he would talk to us at any time. He is very much a proponent for the First Amendment, which we are not trying to change. What we are trying to do is change what is now the law in California, which states:</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>ARTICLE 1. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>SECTION 2.</strong></span> (a) Every person may freely speak, write and publish his or her sentiments on all subjects, <strong><em>being responsible for the abuse of this right.</em></strong> A law may not restrain or abridge liberty of speech or press.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And, this is what we’re going for—the abuse of that right.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I did go to another attorney when I was in California, Mr. Michael Harris of Rogers and Harris, Esq. He handled the defamation case for the Errol Flynn family for his Estate. He agreed with Mr. Mesereau that it would be a challenge to attempt an anti-defamation law, because as it stands, a deceased person cannot be defamed. He recommended, as Mr. Mesereau did, that we retain a constitutional attorney.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When I returned from California, I gave all this information to Ms. Brookins, and she prepared the <em>Cadeflaw Petition,</em> which is the baby of the <em>Anti-Defamation Petition.</em> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We don’t want to stop freedom of speech. I served in Vietnam, my husband served in Vietnam, my daughter has been in the Gulf wars; I do know what freedom of speech is. Nobody’s asking to curtail freedom of speech. What we are asking for is accountability for its abuse. This is not just about Michael Jackson. We use Michael’s name, but it has to be for every man, woman, and child.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong> </span>Did you do any research on any previous efforts in regards to this issue? Apparently, there was a similar case in New York that came close to passing, but didn’t. Did you take a look at that case at all?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong> </span> Yes, we’ve done quite a bit of research. The New York case was in 1987. It involved a young, black teenager who accused a New York police officer, and a State Trooper, of a racist attack; a rape.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The gentlemen maintained their innocence, and the police officer who was implicated, committed suicide. In fact, he wasn’t implicated until after he committed suicide. The Grand Jury in New York ultimately rejected the teenager’s claim. The reputations of the men were completely destroyed, as well as the memory of the deceased officer. The New York Assembly pushed for a posthumous defamation law, which was supported by Mario Cuomo, the Governor at that time. The Assembly encountered a lot of negative feedback from news organizations and the media. The communication industry found a way to stop the proposal for the law, and there was no attempt made to re-enact the proposal. There were many more cases, but the law was never changed. That just gives me more incentive to keep this ball moving, and to do everything in my power to get a law passed, because it’s time something was done.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Do you know what other states have a law like this?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> Colorado, Idaho, Georgia, Louisiana, and Nevada.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong> </span>And has anybody made contact with a group(s) that might have been successful in those states?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> My hope is that more people might support this, and help in doing the work and research that needs to be done. No one gets paid to do this, and you have to be very special to be a part of a group like this, because it’s going to take a lot of hard work.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span> Is the petition, or proposal, modeled after another one in particular? Who would actually draft it? Would an attorney have to do that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> Not necessarily. Barbara Owens did a marvelous job writing the petition letter that we posted on our site, and we have a young lady from Southern California, Julie Noel, who is an attorney, and who has expressed interest in writing this bill. We don’t have a model yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong></span> How do you see the anti-defamation law co-existing with the First Amendment?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong> </span> It can co-exist very well, absolutely. Look at California’s Article 1, Section 2. This law would not attempt to restrain, or abridge the liberty of speech. When we defame the character of a deceased person, it affects their descendants, the people who are left behind. By proxy, through an Estate, there is an obligation to sustain the US Government, and an Estate can sue be sued. A deceased's civil rights are being violated because, as in Section 1, any opinion that does not reflect the truth should be considered abusive, harmful, and offensive. Defamation of the deceased therefore interferes with the enjoyment, happiness, and one's inalienable rights. It says the same thing in the Constitution. So, it would exist very well with the First Amendment. Say, write or speak what you want, but one must be held accountable, and if you cannot prove what you are saying is the truth, then the family should have an opportunity to bring an appropriate lawsuit or cause of action on behalf of themselves and the deceased person.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong> </span> How would you define defamation? Who would decide what defamation is, and what is not?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> There are things said about others that are absolutely true, and if you’ve done your research and can prove your statement, then it is not defamation. It is defamation when you can’t provide proof for your statement.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">While I’m alive, I can challenge the untruth, but if I’m deceased, my children should have a right to file suit against you, because what you are doing is blackening my memory. I deserve to have my legacy </span><span style="color: black;">preserved and protected. If no one else is going to try and change that, then we are.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span>If there were such a law, would it only be the family who could sue?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> No. As far as the guidelines are concerned, an Estate should have the right to file a posthumous law suit. Once a person passes, the Estate may have an opportunity to earn money, and continue to be financed. If the deceased is defamed to such an extent that people will not purchase any material associated with that person, then that adversely affects the heirs. For example: there are those who will have nothing to do with Michael Jackson, because they absolutely believe everything the media has said in the past, and continues to now. The masses receive their information from the media, and if the masses choose to believe the untruths published by the media and other sources that may not be credible: this could rob the estate and heirs of income that might have been earned. Michael Jackson left behind three children and elderly parents, who may have in the past, and are still now, dependent upon his estate for their financial support.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong></span> What about the issue of financial damages? Public media enjoys the financial gain from the defamation of a person through stories, lies, innuendo, etc. Perhaps the only thing they would understand is a financial penalty?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong></span> It may be too early to address that issue. Once the law is passed, any financial damages would be decided by the court. I would think it would apply to the media, or anyone who denied a person’s civil rights, living or deceased.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Can you outline the steps needed to put this law into place?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong></span> Obviously, it begins with the idea; the bill must be written and needs an author. Once written, it would be sent to the Legislative Council in California. There are two houses in that state, the Senate and the Assembly. Depending on which legislator authored the bill, it would go to that house first. It takes 30 days to pass, and then it is forwarded to the Rules of Committee, presented, and testimony is heard in support or opposition. There is then a hearing, where the bill is read three times. The bill can be passed, defeated, or it can be amended. Then it would go back to that house, and the process is repeated.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It is then presented to the other house, and the above steps would be repeated again. If the bill passes both houses, it goes to the Governor. The Governor has three choices: he can sign the bill, allow it to become law without his/her signature, or he/she can veto it. If it becomes law, it is given a chapter number by the Secretary of State. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> If the Governor decides to veto the bill, can it be re-introduced?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong> </span> Yes. If a percentage of both Houses, which I believe is two-thirds, votes for it, the Governor’s veto can be overridden. Then, it would go into effect the first day of January of the following year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong></span> Have you contacted any legislators in California?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Barbara:</strong> </span>We prepared a list of all the Senators and Assembly members; addresses, phone numbers and their e-mail addresses; we have contacted them, and expect to have more response once we have more California residents involved. We need more ‘foot soldiers’ willing to present petitions and request signatures from registered California voters. Online signatures would support the written petition.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Do you know how many California residents are involved at the moment?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary: </strong></span>I’m not sure exactly; I think about fifteen Californians has signed the change.org petition, but we need more.<strong> </strong>Many have signed the initial online petition, but there is no way to contact them. The petition site is not allowed to give out information about endorsers, except the name they gave, and the geographical area they posted.<strong> </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Jennifer:</span> </strong>It weighs more having a written petition rather than an online petition, in California. The written one with actual signatures, which I have—and my job out here is to get people involved—has about thirty signatures on it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Barbara: </strong></span>We do have people in California signing the online petition, but what we really need are more foot soldiers like Jennifer, to circulate the petition and get handwritten signatures.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer: </strong></span>Yes,<strong> </strong>that is a huge part, because California voters have to sign the petition for it to be passed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai: </strong> </span>So, it’s not the quantity of signatures so much as it is how many of those who have signed the petition live in the State of California.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong></span> Correct, but the online petition showing the support we have in California, also makes a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Would you see this as the biggest stumbling block in getting this law put in place? How are you going to get support from California residents?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong> </span>That actually is the hard part. I need to get more people here involved; get a team together locally—and in Los Angeles specifically, and also throughout California—that can help to get signatures and spread the word. We need signatures and we need support.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span> There has to be a lot of Michael Jackson supporters in California, surely?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong> </span> Yes, there are—but we need dedicated people fans or non-fans, because this isn’t just about Michael Jackson. Obviously, we are going to get more support from his fans, but we need people who are really dedicated because it takes a lot of time to go out and get these signatures, spread the word, and make contact with different media. That’s the hard part, finding people who will take this upon themselves and show up when I need them to.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> </strong>I guess I do not understand why some fans aren’t giving this their support.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sharon:</span> </strong>Keep in mind, not everyone responded to Michael in the same way. Not all fans or supporters see the same need as we do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The stumbling block in getting support begins with the heavy burden of Michael’s image. The media still blacken his name, though perhaps not as badly as in the past. Some are a little more subtle about it these days.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When you come up to a group, go to work, or go to church or wherever and begin to discuss what we are doing, people say, “Yes, we’ve heard about this. This is for Michael Jackson.” So then you have to explain that this is inspired by Michael, but not necessarily just for him, and no, Michael did not do this, Michael did not do that. This is where the other Michael Jackson supporters come in: those who are spending time attempting to educate the public on what did and did not happen, and those who are rebutting negative articles. It takes support from a lot of different directions to make this happen.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And quite honestly, some people aren’t there as much now. One-third of the United States has been devastated by storms, so people’s minds are more on survival, on losing their jobs, and their husbands are screaming at them for gawking at Michael for the last 2 years, so, there are all kinds of reasons why there is not as great a support now. And there are still also a lot of fans who are more prone to fan-sy—type reading rather than advocacy forums, so some of these fans just do not know what we are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span>Yes, but it still makes it harder for you finding those dedicated people you need.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Sharon: </strong></span>Yes, yes it does.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I would also like to address something you brought up about the First Amendment and whether the anti- defamation law could co-exist with it. When we first drafted the law, one of the things that came up immediately was that people would not support it because it violates the First Amendment. That is an excuse. 50 states already have an anti-defamation law in place for the living, and one in five, for the dead. Our one happens to be new for just this particular state.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When defamation takes life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and your ability to earn revenue—and in case of people who are gone, those whose products or family will be earning revenue—that ability may be hindered because of false stories about their loved ones.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren: </strong></span>This question has to do with the web and social media sites. Do you see the dissemination of information the way it is now versus 5 or 10 years ago as being helpful to this cause? And another question I would like you think about is, say this was passed as a law. It would only apply to people who lived and died in California, and it would only apply to what comes out of this state or what is said in this state. You could go to Nevada and say what you wanted. Because of how information is spread now, how would this affect in any great way either Michael or anyone who happens to be in California?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Sharon:</span> </strong>When we get this law passed for the State of California—with primarily Michael being the inspiration, and also there being so many people of wealth and fame who really seem to get hammered by what is put out by the media in this state—it will empower people. More of them will stand up and begin to address issues inside and outside of their state.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Hopefully, this law will become U.S. wide. There is no reason why anyone should be able to profit by lying or deceiving viewers and readers who are taking in information and using it to make judgments and decisions. These people get away with this without suffering the consequences, and they have to be responsible for their actions. Once we get this passed, and it will take awhile, it might get picked up by another state. Hopefully, there will be multiple groups in each state looking at what’s happening in California, and they might say, “Okay, if they can get this done there,we can do it in Iowa.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai: </strong></span>There are a lot fans and non-fans, who are angry with the media and their continuous slander, particularly toward Michael. Do you plan to tap into that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary: </strong></span>Even though many are angry, most do not understand the importance of this law and what it means. I think a lot of people believe their First Amendment rights will be infringed upon, so we have to educate people on what this law is about. Hopefully, in doing this interview, and through the one we did with Billy Johnson from Yahoo! Music, we can get the word out there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">My question to people is, are you angry enough to be moved to action? Are you angry enough to get up and do something about it, not just talk about it?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We tweet a lot to get the word out, and one of our main tweets is, stop the abuse of the First Amendment rights. Don’t allow people to hide behind this amendment to promote hate. We ask people to visit our website and watch our video, then tweet about it. So, we are hoping to get those who say they’re angry, to move toward action with us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> That’s a good answer and a very good question also.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren: </strong></span>Have you contacted, or had any support from Michael’s friends or family? Is the estate aware of what you are doing?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary: </strong></span>Absolutely! There are a lot of names on the first petition that we’re not familiar with,because used their fan monikers, and this gave us concern. That’s why we changed the petition so that people would have to give their real names. Teddy Riley, an American singer-songwriter, musician, keyboardist and record producer, signed the petition in all caps, as if he wanted the world to know he had signed it. He has also tweeted and retweeted about Cadeflaw. We have the support of Dr. Patrick Treacy, a cosmetic physician and humanitarian from Dublin, Ireland; Charles Thomson, freelance writer/reporter specializing in music and celebrity journalism; Billy Johnson, music director, freelance writer for many media outlets, and presently Senior Program Director-Urban/Video Programming Lead for Yahoo Music, and Lynton Guest, freelance writer for magazines/newspapers, singer and author of several books, including the <em>Trials of Michael Jackson.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Jennifer Batten, guitarist, songwriter and producer who worked with Michael for many years, supports Cadeflaw and the petition, and we’ve had many tweets and retweets by Genevieve Jackson [Michael's niece], and Omer Bhatti, singer and friend of Michael Jackson. Cadeflaw has been retweeted by Akon and Billy Johnson. Billy doesn’t claim to be a friend of the family. He is a major media source from California who has been around for awhile, but he does support the entire family.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I’m pretty sure, with Genevieve and Omer tweeting about us, that the family is aware of what we are doing. I have also notified the estate in several ways. I have faxed, emailed and sent a registered letter to John Branca about what we are doing, and I have also sent a registered letter to Katherine Jackson. From John Branca’s office, I received a signed certified receipt noting the letter had been delivered. A registered letter sent to Mrs. Katherine Jackson at the Hayvenhurst address in Encino, was not returned, but no signed return receipt has been received as of yet. However, no one can say they have no knowledge of this project because they do. We haven’t had a response to either letter, but they are aware of it. We have also been sending tweets to Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Randy, La Toya and Janet Jackson since November of 2010. Since we all follow these Jackson family members, we know they have observed our tweets. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> </strong>You are now a registered, nonprofit corporation, and you are able to collect donations. Can you tell us what this money will be used for?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer: </strong></span>Well, we will pretty much use the money for whatever is needed to get this law passed. Most of the money will go, hopefully in the future, toward a Constitutional attorney. Having an attorney is the key, so the rest of the money will go toward anything else we need to get the law passed. And when it’s over, if there is anything left over, obviously it will go to charity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary: </strong></span>In California, it will cost between $30,000 and $50,000, to hire a Constitutional attorney, so that is why our goal is $50,000; but whatever it takes, that’s what we will do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Is this $50,000 just to retain an attorney, and start him or her working on this?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong> </span> No, that’s for the entire process from beginning to end.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">People may think I am a dreamer, but I work what I dream, and I am hoping that an attorney might come forward, say that he likes what we are doing, that he believes in it, and that he will do this for free.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Lauren:</strong> </span> I would just like to ask a question that goes back a little bit. In California, we have what they call, the Initiative process. Have you looked into that, or has it been mentioned at all?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer:</strong></span> I am aware of it, but, no, I haven’t mentioned it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> </strong>There are a number of laws here in California that are passed just on the number of signatures gained from the population. In any of your discussions with legal experts, have any of them mentioned this Initiative process? Is this another route you could take?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer: </strong></span>It is another route, yes, and it’s something that we need to go into more depth with. Basically, if you have enough signatures, you can pretty much get it done. In California, that's 8% of active voters, which I believe is at least 400,000 people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong> </span> How are you going to collect donations? Will you set up a PayPal account?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Mary: </span> </strong>We already have a PayPal account, and we also have an account with a bank in Florida. So, all people have to do, is go to our website at </span>www.cadeflaw.com<span style="color: black;"> to make their donation. They can either use their real name or donate anonymously. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> </strong>It sounds like a lot of money, but it is possible to raise that much. Last year there was a push to develp a garden for Michael at the museum where he was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. Though the project fell through, there was an anonymous donor who gave $20,000 toward the garden. So, how can we help in this effort? What can we do?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Jennifer: </strong></span>Well, you are actually already helping by doing this interview. Its helping us get the word out first of all, and by doing that, it’s drawing attention to what we are doing. That’s really what we need right now: attention through social networks, different websites, and the media to make more people aware and offer their support.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Valmai:</strong></span> Is there anything anybody wants to add?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Mary:</strong> </span> Yes. I just want thank you Ms. Owens and Ms. Trainor, for giving us this opportunity, for believing in us, and for supporting us. God bless you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, thank you, Mary. Anything that we can do to help get the word out there, we will do it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Beginning in August, Cadeflaw will have a permanent column in this publication in which they keep us updated on their progress, and ways in which you can offer your help and support.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If you live in California, and have the time and dedication to assist Jennifer Marino in gathering signatures for the written petition, please email her at <a href="mailto:unitedinluv@yahoo.com">unitedinluv@yahoo.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">You can also find her on Twitter under <a href="http://twitter.com/All4LoveJen"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">All4LoveJen</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">For more information about Cadeflaw and to offer your support or to make a donation, please visit these sites:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Website: </strong></span><a href="http://www.cadeflaw.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cadeflaw.com/</a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Blogspot:</strong></span> <a href="http://lovemeansactionformichaeljackson.blogspot.com/?spref=tw" target="_blank">http://lovemeansactionformichaeljackson.blogspot.com/?spref=tw</a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Facebook: </strong></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Legacy-Anti-Defamation-Law/165053683513202?ref=ts" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Legacy-Anti-Defamation-Law/165053683513202?ref=ts</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Petition Sites:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Cadeflaw Italian Petition: Guilia Passaro</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.petizionionline.it/petizione/protect-and-preserve-the-legacy-of-those-deceased-proteggiamo-e-preserviamo-leredita-dei-defunti/4300">http://www.petizionionline.it/petizione/protect-and-preserve-the-legacy-of-those-deceased-proteggiamo-e-preserviamo-leredita-dei-defunti/4300</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Cadeflaw US Petition</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/protect-and-preserve-the-legacy-of-those-deceased-those-left-behind-can-still-be-hurt" target="_blank">http://www.change.org/petitions/protect-and-preserve-the-legacy-of-those-deceased-those-left-behind-can-still-be-hurt</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Initial Cadeflaw Petition</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/MJJ2010/petition.html" target="_blank">http://www.petitiononline.com/MJJ2010/petition.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Information on the California Constitution, Article 1: Declaration of Rights:</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_1">http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_1</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde; font-size: small;"><strong>Information on the California State Assembly, legislative procedure: </strong><strong> </strong></span><br />
<a href="http://www.assembly.ca.gov/clerk/billslegislature/Leg_Proceedure.pdf"><span style="color: #a2610c;">http://www.assembly.ca.gov/clerk/billslegislature/Leg_Proceedure.pdf</span></a><br />
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<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>Promotional Video #1: </strong></span><a href="http://youtu.be/ndND5pNv7UY">http://youtu.be/ndND5pNv7UY</a> <strong><span style="color: black;">Cadeflaw Advocates, 2010</span></strong><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-46062342863583522932011-07-31T09:22:00.000-07:002011-07-31T09:22:23.726-07:00A Powerful Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2q26hIuFMH0WLaVgwM9qn6xWufxpH0HusiHOWHrr9XKnAMOnbAgWJeJTmL6P-MhSrFZ2m5f0-0AI1YIH8KBREy7WaOhoMPJbcjTbmuYikns7tBw2kmjGxMK0_qcfWl9S0b29IYax8Vw/s1600/29105_117912078242432_100000709217068_143781_2647060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2q26hIuFMH0WLaVgwM9qn6xWufxpH0HusiHOWHrr9XKnAMOnbAgWJeJTmL6P-MhSrFZ2m5f0-0AI1YIH8KBREy7WaOhoMPJbcjTbmuYikns7tBw2kmjGxMK0_qcfWl9S0b29IYax8Vw/s1600/29105_117912078242432_100000709217068_143781_2647060_n.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It was Mothers Day, and fields were still lying under water from weeks of severe storms and torrential rain. I took a moment to sit outside on the front porch and drink in the afternoon calm. The breeze had gentled, and the sun had begun its journey toward the end of what had been a perfect spring day. I noticed how still the water was and how it captured the landscape floating as a beautiful, yet imperfect image. It was a scene awaiting an artist’s brush.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As usual, in moments of solitude, my mind drifted toward thoughts of Michael, and how often his image has been captured by cameras and words, more often than not, as a distorted and blurred picture of the man he really was. This image has been sold to the public as fact, and a mirrored reflection has become a truth tainted with lies. The true picture of Michael has been lost to all but those who were close and loyal friends, his family and the fans who believe in him without doubt.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Truth! Fact, reality, genuine, that which is true. We do not need to see in order to believe. Our belief in Michael is based on faith, and knowledge born through that faith of the man behind this reflection of negativity. This is a powerful truth; a truth that empowers us to validate his name and legacy, and answer those who persist in portraying Michael as someone to be ridiculed and accused. It is time for false perceptions to be laid to rest, and for the world to open its ears to our voice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Truth will set you free. A powerful truth will change the world. It has already begun!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-56871842116243951912011-07-31T09:15:00.000-07:002011-07-31T09:17:17.880-07:00To Bully or Not to Bully:That is the Question<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi4_bhXL-o3EHGsCCca-pxRoF1cXFcV1raLqnRXovemXBnABjC5uFyTjrTwM-A0ZLUdCUTR4qVjhydt6Nrm8tAlb6vl9XHqGEYQtj0PFB50RSiHtzOSuzVAB6nn0vrHiTnhAeCORkxo4/s1600/8177241-stop-bullying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi4_bhXL-o3EHGsCCca-pxRoF1cXFcV1raLqnRXovemXBnABjC5uFyTjrTwM-A0ZLUdCUTR4qVjhydt6Nrm8tAlb6vl9XHqGEYQtj0PFB50RSiHtzOSuzVAB6nn0vrHiTnhAeCORkxo4/s1600/8177241-stop-bullying.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Out of all the articles I wanted to write for this month’s issue, this was not one of them, but the gutter mentality of school-yard bullies who use the online arena to viciously and cruelly attack those connected to Michael Jackson’s world, and this includes attacks by fans themselves, is a continuing and disturbing trend. Some exchanges I have read recently have disgusted me with the humiliating, degrading, abusive and foul verbiage. It literally made me cringe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Perhaps some people just don’t care or realize that by engaging in this sort of behavior, not only does it diminish their worth in the eyes of others, but also the worth of their victims. This is exactly what Michael Jackson had to deal with from the media and others throughout his life. And we are angered by it aren’t we? Don’t we rebut and counteract where and whenever possible? Why then, do we think it’s acceptable to put others through the same suffering Michael had to endure?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I sense certain arrogance in some people. It leads them to believe that their opinion is the only one that counts, their voice is the only one that should be heard and their truth is the only one that should be believed. If you don’t agree with them then obviously<em> you </em>have it all wrong and to all intents and purposes, you don’t know what you are talking about. This just doesn’t occur within the fan community, but also in other sectors and industries and is often a key factor in the disintegration of family, matrimonial and work relationships, friendships, governmental structure, religious groups and all manner of human relations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">We have all disagreed with someone else’s opinion at some point in time. We might argue and get a little hot under the collar, but most of us don’t declare open season on that person by calling them names, ridiculing and sometimes threatening them for not agreeing with us, especially in a public arena. For those who do, the question is why?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It is a misconception that most bullies have low self-esteem. Research has shown that most people who bully have an average or even high self-esteem and they often share similar behavioral and personality characteristics. They show aggressive behavior patterns, they like to dominate others, they need to be in control and win, they feel no remorse and refuse to accept any responsibility for their behavior. It also appears that bullies believe they will get some sort of social mileage or recognition for the act and in turn become very popular. As most of the bullying I have witnessed has occurred on Twitter and Facebook, I am inclined believe there is truth in this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The social-cyber bully uses their new found status and followers to “freeze” out or humiliate other individuals and groups who oppose their opinions, beliefs and viewpoints. Sound familiar? But, nobody truly respects a bully and although they may have followers, they have no real friends. Nobody trusts a bully.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Sadly, with this behavior occurring within the fan community, it reflects a distorted image of us as a whole; an image we are trying to maintain as one of intelligent and rational people. If we continue to allow our buttons to be pushed, if we continue to interact with these people by countering their attacks, by using retaliative measures, then we are giving them what they seek and that is attention!<em> </em>We can’t afford to<em> </em>sink into the quicksand of their mindset and hinder the serious work we are engaged in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I understand very well how hard it is to keep emotions in check when feeling so strongly about something dear to the heart. Emotions strain to break free; feelings rise up and rebel against the control our minds try to have over them. But, as ambassadors for Michael Jackson and “Keepers” of the truth, (and ambassadors is exactly what we are) then we have a duty to Michael himself to remain composed and not cross the line that he himself drew for us by the way he conducted himself throughout his life. Yes, Michael had his moments of justifiable anger and outbursts, but his anger was never sent forth with damaging intent. He didn’t have in him to be mean-spirited.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Bullying is an unacceptable behavior and observing or participating in it leaves a bad taste in everybody’s mouth, including those who observe Michael Jackson fans and develop a distaste for them and him by association.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">And what do we do about the bullies? Ignore them, block them and report them. Delete their comments and make none of our own toward them. If we cut off their food supply they will eventually starve from lack of popularity, look for other feeding grounds or decide to change their diet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Further reading on bullying:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/article.php?article_id=321" target="_blank">http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/article.php?article_id=321</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-barbara-kaufmann/bullying-not-just-for-pla_b_807389.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-barbara-kaufmann/bullying-not-just-for-pla_b_807389.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-barbara-kaufmann/arizona-shooting-violence_b_809250.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-barbara-kaufmann/arizona-shooting-violence_b_809250.html</a><br />
<br />
Pledge of Peace:<br />
<a href="http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/article.php?article_id=238" target="_blank">http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/article.php?article_id=238</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I had the privilege recently of interviewing Michael Bearden for <em>Dot to Dot</em>. He is widely known as Michael Jackson’s musical director for the <em>This Is It</em> tour, but I discovered he was much more than that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Michael has worked, performed and recorded with some of the great artists of our time, has composed numerous film scores, is a consummate musician and arranger,and is currently musical director for Lopez Tonight on TBS. As impressive as his credits and gifts are, Michael remains humble. In this interview, he shares a refreshing view on his friend Michael Jackson, and a very human element of “celebrity.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Michael, you are a very accomplished keyboardist, arranger, composer and musical director. Can you tell us how and when your career began in the music/entertainment industry?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> The first time I ever played or performed music in front of people was probably around the age of 11 or 12. I played for neighborhood events, personal parties and other things like that. I realized very early on that getting paid for something I would do for free was a path I wanted to pursue more. With much hard effort, perseverance and a lot of dues paid, I eventually progressed to where I am now. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I don’t have plans to stop any time soon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Who was the first major artist you performed with or recorded for?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> The first major artist I worked with was Ramsey Lewis. I was very young when I met him- probably around 15 or so. He took a liking to my potential and me. I would go to his house and sit with him on the weekends when he was available. I learned a lot just by being around him. He probably doesn’t even remember those days. I also met and was mentored by Herbie Hancock around that time. He was and still is a major influence on me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">After I left Chicago and moved to D.C., I met Stevie Wonder. I was able to meet him when I was 18. He invited me on stage with him when he was just passing through D.C. and I got my first taste of what a true genius is like.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">My first big break after I left D.C. and moved to Brooklyn, NY, was with the legendary flutist, Herbie Mann. With Herbie, I traveled the world and was exposed to many huge artists in the business. I was able to work with many of them because of Herbie’s influence. Fortunately, it hasn’t stopped since.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> There is a long impressive list of artists you have either performed with or recorded for including Sting, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. What were those experiences like for you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> All of my musical experiences are different. However, the one thing that remains consistent throughout is that child-like feeling I get anytime I work with a new artist or an artist I’ve worked with before. It’s still a lot of fun for me. Hopefully that will never change.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What did you learn professionally and personally from working with some of these artists that has enhanced your career and life?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> Great question! I learned many things from working with these artists. What I see consistently is that every artist I’ve worked with just wants to be loved. It sounds corny, but it’s true. The art they create is not necessarily the same as the human being who creates it. I learned from Herbie Hancock years ago that to be a great artist, you must first be a great human being and citizen of the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yes, even MJ and I talked about how he longed for a greater sense of normalcy in his life. It is true that many artists seek attention and some sort of validation. There is no debate about that, but at the end of the day I go back to my original statement; we all just want to be loved.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> I’m sure you have experienced some very memorable moments on stage, but are there any that stand apart from the others?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> There are so many memorable moments on stage for me. Too many to mention here, but I’ll point out two.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">A few years ago, I was on stage performing with several different artists at Michael Jordan’s celebrity golf tournament in the Bahamas. The great Billy Preston, or the fifth Beatle as he is affectionately known, was performing a solo organ piece. Billy was very sick and was towards the end of his life, but he performed as if his health was perfect. He ended his piece by standing up and doing an amazing glissando just with his feet on the organ pedals. The entire place erupted in applause and cheers. It was an extraordinary moment.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Another memorable moment was during a performance with Whitney Houston. This was during her “hey day” and we were on a very long tour. I don’t remember the city we were in, but I do remember the song. We used to play a song called “In Return." We played this song just about every night. However, on this particular evening Nip, (as all of her close friends call her) decided to put something extra on her delivery. She didn’t tell us she was going to </span>do<span style="color: black;">, she just did it. At the end of the song at least half the band was crying including me. It was the first time it had ever happened to me and hasn’t happened since. Whitney was the only artist ever to do that to me while I was playing with them on stage. What an amazing gift she had in those days. We’ll probably never see a gift like that again anytime soon in this lifetime.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Michael you are an arranger and composer and you have also scored quite a few films. What inspired you to take this direction in music as opposed to popular songwriting?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> I’ve always loved film and film music. When I was a kid, our parents would take us to the movies often. I was always more fixed on the music than the actual images. I loved the other dimension music adds to the scenes. Music makes a scene more loving, scary, suspenseful, joyous, etc…I did not know I had the talent to score film until I went to college. While at Howard University, I was asked to provide music to a score for a documentary on Chief Justice Turgood Marshall. After seeing and hearing the music I composed married to the images on the screen, I was hooked. I’ve been scoring film ever since that moment.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> What do you think are the necessary qualities needed to make a good arranger?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> You definitely need necessary qualities like command of music theory, orchestration, instrument ranges, imaginative musical phrasing, colors, textures and the like. But I think the most important quality might be un-teachable. That quality is taste. You have to know what to put in and what to leave out. I recently performed with icon Sergio Mendes. He paid me a great compliment after the show. He told me that anyone could learn technique, theory and all the rest, but he said you couldn’t teach taste. I’m always humbled when artists tell me that. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I’m glad to know what that means.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You first met Michael Jackson in 1993, and worked with him professionally for the first time in 2001. What were both experiences like for you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> I met MJ in Mexico, at his concert in 1993. I was working with Madonna at the time and we all went to see the show. He was having a difficult time breathing in that Mexico City altitude. I was having a hard time and I wasn’t even on stage performing. We went back stage and I was able to say hello and all of that. He’s always been one of the nicest artists you ever wanted to meet. He was just a really sweet human being.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I first worked with him on stage in 2001 at his <em>30th Anniversary</em> concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He wasn’t what I was told he would be. He was easy to talk to, engaging and not as shy as I had heard. His brothers were around so maybe he was in his comfort zone. I found him to be extremely professional and very detailed oriented. He knew what he wanted and how to get it. His talent speaks for itself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Did you keep in contact between 2001 and 2009?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> Not every single year, but I did see him a few times when he was recording. MJ always recorded a lot of music when he was working on a record and I was in the studio with him for a few of those recordings. A lot of stuff I played on never made the final record, but it was always great working in the studio with Michael.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> How did you come to get signed on for <em>This Is It?</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> When I found out I was on the short list of music director hopefuls for MJ's tour, surprisingly I was somewhat reluctant. I had been the music director for so many big stars in my career and wanted to pursue other musical endeavors closer to home. However, when it's Michael Jackson calling you have to at least explore the possibilities.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I first met with the <em>This Is It</em> director Kenny Ortega. We had a great meeting and he invited me back down that evening to meet with MJ. I asked that there be keyboards in the room when MJ and I met. When they finally brought MJ in to see me, I was already playing around on the keyboard. He walked in smiling broadly with pep in his step. Instantly, he started dancing and swaying to me playing "Workin Day and Night". We hugged and began talking about what he was looking for, and I told him what I was looking for. I interrupted him several times to have him sing songs as I played them. To his credit he did and we had a great bond immediately. We did a concert for about half an hour; just him and me. As I was leaving, I asked him for the set list and he just laughed. They were looking at a few more guys after me. He said, “God bless you,” and I left the room. I wasn't even home good before I got the call to be his musical director. I had a private gratitude moment and went right to work learning songs!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Michael Jackson knew every element, instruments, notes and chords in his music. He knew when something wasn’t right and we see this in the film with his song “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Was this the only time you and he didn’t see eye to eye with a musical arrangement?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> Many people seem to think me and MJ didn’t agree in that moment. Not true. We we’re having a “creative joust” as we called it. MJ had a strong opinion and so did I. We laughed and hugged at the end of it and you can see the mutual respect and love in the film. I have never been one to just be a sycophant and bow down to everything the artists say. Why else would you hire a musical director? Just hire a person to execute what you want to have happen and go with that? MJ was brilliant in that he always wanted to grow and push boundaries. He would always tell me to push him so that’s what I did. I have no problem doing that with any artist I work with. That’s the way it was with MJ and me and that’s the way it is. We saw eye-to-eye and then pushed our vision even further. The results are always better with that approach. It was all done in love.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What is your most memorable moment working with Michael on <em>This Is It</em>?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> That question is always so hard to answer. I grew up idolizing Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 as many of us did. And now here I was working closely with a childhood hero. Not only working but confiding in, hanging with and having the blessings of his trust and faith in me to deliver him to the next level of his professional life. What can be more memorable than that? Towards the end, MJ trusted me implicitly and told me as such while he was here. I’ve been eternally “validated”, if you will, by MJ, and that alone is memorable enough for me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Other people who have known Michael, speak about energy or an aura that surrounded him- that when he walked into a room the air literally changed. Did you experience that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span>Yes, actually I did. Everything they say about that is true. MJ just had a certain swagger with him nobody else could duplicate. That aura was real. The air would change because he always made it a concerted effort to smell good. And he smelled amazing! I always knew when he was around even if I didn’t see him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You were the last one from the company who saw Michael after that last rehearsal. Did he seem happy and ready to do this tour?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> You’ve done your homework. Yes, he was very happy. Kenny Ortega and I were with him for the better part of the day taking care of tour business stuff. Travis was out working with the dancers. We got to the stage late that evening, but put in a full rehearsal. MJ looked great and he said he felt good. The band said he had a glow about him that night. They were right. I hugged him; he told me he loved me, talked about the next day and we got in our cars and left Staples Center. I have a very positive mental image of the last time we spoke. I’m at peace with it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Many people have said Michael would never have been able to complete 50 concerts. What is your opinion on this?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael:</span> Who are these many people and were they at the same rehearsals I attended? I’m always amazed at people who talk in full confidence with no advantage of firsthand knowledge, obviously basing their opinions on hearsay and rumor. Look, It’s difficult to say if MJ would have completed all 50 dates or not. He was never one to mark when he worked. He always went full out every time I’ve worked with him. A couple of his brothers did express surprise when they saw an early cut of <em>This Is</em> <em>It</em>. They couldn’t believe that was MJ going full out like that. They told me he always used to try and save it for the show. I guess MJ felt he had something to prove. In my opinion, he was well on his way to doing it too. There is no way to fake what he did in <em>This Is It</em>. That was MJ doing what he did best. He was working his way back up to being show ready and those last few nights he was on! And he knew it! I don’t see any reason why we would not have made it through those dates. He even talked about the possibility of extending the tour in another country. That said it all to me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Looking back on all the love that has been expressed for your friend since he died, what do you imagine he would say about that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> I don’t really have to imagine. I know he would be very humble about it. He would embrace it and wallow in it. Even from the hypocrites. MJ only wanted to be loved for the art he created. I know he was hurt by all of the tabloid attention and paparazzi stalking him, but he understood it. He just wanted to be judged fairly and to have the attention he garnered to be more balanced. He was a giving and loving person and wanted that in return. As his friend, I will never try to deify him. He was only a man and not a deity, albeit an extraordinary man.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> If you could have time to spend with him today what would you say to him? What would be very important for him to know? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> There is not a day that I don’t think about MJ. Not one day since he passed. We will be linked forever and I’m good with that. I don’t really like to live my life in hypothetical, but if he were here the most important thing he would need to know is that his children are doing well and look as though they are going to be extraordinary world citizens. He would be most happy about that. All other issues would be secondary to him. I’d also let him know his true friends have never abandoned him and would back it up with actions and deeds, not just words. Then, we’d probably laugh a lot and go get something to eat from a place we liked to have lunch. I’d enjoy that immensely.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Have you experienced his spirit with you as so many others have? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> Yes, but not in the way you might think. I experienced it when he was here. There is a moment in <em>This Is It</em> when we’re working on “Earth Song”. MJ is explaining what he wants and then he tells me when to “start that piano.” At the very moment he gives a thumb up to me, I felt something. I remembered it as I drove home from rehearsal that night. I forgot about it until we started making the film. As soon as I saw it, I got the exact same feeling I did the first night it happened. Transferring of energy is real amongst creative beings, but that was something else.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What is the one thing that you will always consider to be your fondest moment with Michael?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span>I have many fond moments with MJ. He was just that way. One of my favorite moments is when he and I were working on the set list in the beginning of rehearsals, even before we had a band and dancers. We talked about how the show should flow and how we were like roller coaster designers. That’s what he wanted his show to feel like- a roller coaster ride. The warm moment for me was when he showed me his personal hand written notes about the set; he pulled out his reading glasses. I looked at him and smiled and he said, “What”? I said nothing and we just kept working. It was great to see his humanity on display. He was always so complete in public; it was cool to see him a little vulnerable. It was also cool to know that our relationship was changing to something more than just a music director/star relationship. He felt very comfortable around me and I appreciated that. He knew I didn’t want anything from him other than to see him back on top. Those glasses affirmed it to me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What do you think is Michael’s greatest legacy?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span>That’s hard to say. His art means different things to different people. For me, his legacy is probably his simplicity. Never in my career and probably in the history of music, has an artist affected so many human beings simultaneously. I can’t tell you how many times I hear from fans telling me that their 2, 3, 4 or 5 year-old children have discovered Michael’s music. This is just extraordinary to me. What is it about his music that appeals to so many people? He used to say to me, “When you’re coming up with new arrangements for the songs, make sure they’re simple.” He would say, “They gotta be able to hum it. If they can’t hum it’s too complicated.” He wanted his music to be sung by 8 to 80 year-olds. He succeeded!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What do you think of the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait? Is it something you think he would have liked and approved of?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> I think it’s a great thing, this Tribute Portrait! It’s brilliant in its construct and I can only imagine MJ would have loved it. I’m honored to be part of the dedication.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>With the list of credits to your name Michael, you must be very much in demand. Can you share what you are working on at present? Any big things on the horizon?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Michael: </span> I’ve been extremely blessed thus far in my career. It is not an easy thing to make a living at something you love to do and I don’t take it for granted. I’m humbled everyday at my good fortune. Presently I’m the music director for Lopez Tonight, George Lopez’s late night talk show on TBS. We are having a great time and we’re slowly trying to change late night. I have a few new artists I’m developing and recording a record with my band on the TBS show, The Ese Vatos. I also have many philanthropic things going on. I’m just trying to stay healthy and rest as much as possible so I can do everything I want to do. I’m a workaholic! But, what a blessing it is to do this for a living.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Embrace love.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">M~</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-32807802951434172802011-07-31T08:52:00.000-07:002011-07-31T09:16:14.212-07:00Interview with Larry Nimmer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSe0jnIItmFRH14nHjMSHb3hJP2_aAc8AMzBGKwxlE0WhhZQ6YSRiXFzuXTRvM5AuodRB66JNkmC62GN6qiSwS7eiXlnjdSF-bEKbaie4-XWwKNRVtyvMShOx_xoaLZ9xJ4TjjmY3tVw/s1600/Larry+Nimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSe0jnIItmFRH14nHjMSHb3hJP2_aAc8AMzBGKwxlE0WhhZQ6YSRiXFzuXTRvM5AuodRB66JNkmC62GN6qiSwS7eiXlnjdSF-bEKbaie4-XWwKNRVtyvMShOx_xoaLZ9xJ4TjjmY3tVw/s320/Larry+Nimmer.jpg" t$="true" width="227" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Larry Nimmer is noted for his documentary, <em>Michael Jackson: The Untold Story of Neverland</em>, which he created for the defense team during Michael Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial, but he has also earned a variety of awards, including several Emmy nominations, for 30 years of producing entertainment and informational programming.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Larry began his career<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> as </span>a TV News Producer for the CBS-TV affiliate in San Francisco, KPIX-TV. He has since produced music videos for broadcast on MTV, documentaries shown on PBS and a variety of other programs and promotional spots for broadcast and cable networks.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It was a great pleasure for me to speak to this seemingly shy and softly spoken man.</span><br />
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<br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Transcribed by Valmai Owens</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Larry, your career spans 30 years and you have won quite a few awards. You have also been nominated for a few Emmy’s. Can you tell me when it all began?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> When I was 10 years-old that same Christmas I was given a darkroom set by my father. So, I started photography then and later film-making. In high school and college I made films and so-forth.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I’ve had an interesting and varied career. I started off making home movies and then worked for a CBS TV station in magazine style news. From there I did music videos, documentaries, religious and how-to videos, short films and litigation videos. One of the specialties I got into was making training videos for attorneys for use at trial that tell stories for their clients. That’s how I ended up getting hired by Michael Jackson and his attorney for his trial in 2005.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Are you freelance?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Yes, basically I’m freelance. I have my own company, Nimmer Pictures Inc, and my wife is my partner. She is a graphic designer. I have a nice studio in a converted garage next to my home in Carpinteria. So, it’s really just the two of us and I pull in other people as I need them. I write, shoot, edit and sometimes perform in videos I do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Yes, from what I have seen you do a little bit of everything, but out of all those things, is there one that you enjoy doing more than the rest? Do you feel more comfortable behind the camera or in front of it?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span> Well, I feel more comfortable behind the camera. One of my mission statements is, to help give people a platform to express themselves. So, I particularly enjoy projects where I help people or organizations to either express themselves or get their message out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I have a karaoke TV show I sometimes do which does that, and I do something called <em>Generation Exchange</em>, where I help younger people interview older people or vice versa, to get their stories out. I do <em>Man in the Street</em> columns and videos where I ask the question of the week and people talk about different subject matter. I also do art videos and have been doing them since the seventies, and the last number of years I’ve been doing something called <em>Dance for Peace</em>. New Year’s Day I dance from my town to the next town and I document myself. That’s one time I do video-tape myself; I have a little video camera that I can shoot myself while dancing or walking, but normally I’m more comfortable putting other people on camera.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j44Lnc2hQrM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j44Lnc2hQrM</a><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> I’ve actually seen those videos on You Tube, <em>A Citizen Dances for Peace</em>, and I was going to ask what the inspiration was behind them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Well, it started off with getting older and needing to do more exercise. I figured every year on New Year’s Day I should at least get a big exercise, although I go to the gym at other times.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">One year I hiked the mountain behind me, another year I walked a long distance and I guess it was during one of the Iraqi wars that I thought I would turn it into a dance for peace. I wore a sign that said, Peace Starts with a Smile, and I walked from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara. I felt that peace was a good thing to exercise or to perform for.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So, I kind of made it into a peace thing, but it’s also kind of a personal exercise for me and also to express myself and dance. I’ve kind of gotten more into dancing the older I get and it’s a kind of self-expression and self-growth, even though I really don’t </span>like<span style="color: black;"> people seeing me when I dance to Santa Barbara, but somehow I don’t mind video-taping myself and having people see me later. I’m kind of shy about it while I’m doing it though.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You are? I don’t know. The videos are very entertaining and actually quite funny in places, and I thought to myself while watching them, “maybe he should consider a career in acting or comedy.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Well, I sometimes feel I’m too serious and I look too conservative. I kind of look like an old businessman. That was one thing Michael Jackson did for me, to help encourage me to get more in touch with my child-like nature as he often talked about. So, even though I’m sometimes embarrassed by revealing my child-like nature, and sometimes I’m worried it may make me look less professional to some people, to others I think they understand the urge to act like, and have the child-like spirit and express it. So, I have been encouraging myself more and more to do that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I think that’s a good thing. I think everybody needs to do that. As you get older and get involved more with your life and the things that happen along the way, that “child” seems to get pushed deeper and deeper inside of you and you forget how to have fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Right! Exactly! I encourage others to do it and I’m glad you feel that way too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Oh, I do. Larry, about music. I came across another video of you where you perform an original song that you wrote in the seventies, called “Born Under A Lucky Star.” You performed this at a Carpinteria talent show. Are you a songwriter also or is it kind of a hobby for you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyeckI6tns8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyeckI6tns8</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> It’s just been a hobby. In my teens, when I had a lot of emotions pent up in me, I learned to play the guitar. It was a good release to express myself. I’ve always written in journals and right behind me where I’m sitting now, I have my journals that I have written since I was 10. There’s something like 35 or 40 journals. It’s just been a good release. I wrote “Born Under A Lucky Star” when I was at Berkley College, and those were some crazy times.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">So, I play a little guitar now and then and both my son’s, who are now 25 and 28, play guitar too. Recently, there was a talent show in my town so I played that song.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> It was good; very good.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Thank you! Is there a video of that online? I didn’t realize that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Yes there is, most certainly. I did a search on your name and there it was. It also came up with your <em>Citizen Dance’s for Peace</em> videos. From there I went to your channel and found a few other interesting videos.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Good, good. On You Tube I have a few channels. One is called Larry Nimmer, another is called Nimmer Pictures and another is called American Good Humor. The American Good Humor is; whenever I go a trip I always like to have some sort of artistic project.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I was going to Europe, I think five or six years ago, and I wanted a project to do. I wanted to do something that would give Europeans a good picture of Americans. So, I played the part of the Good Humor Man. He was somebody in the Fifties and Sixties in the United States who went around selling ice cream and he wore a white suit. The Good Humor Man was an ice cream company.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So, I dressed up as The Good Humor Man, even though Europeans wouldn’t necessarily know who he was, and did something called, <em>Experiments in Good Humor</em>. I experimented in different ways of giving good humor to people by performing for them or doing little acts of charity or kindness, complimenting people and giving out little slips of free wishes. So, I did some of the documentation of that on my You Tube channel American Good Humor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Well, I will have to check that out. Larry, when you are making a documentary, how do you choose the subject matter for it? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span> Well, different ways. Sometimes, a client comes to me and they have something they want a documentary about and I will certainly do that. I make my living this way, and it’s sometimes harder to freelance so I’m always out marketing and trying to bring in projects. Sometimes projects that I’m interested in, I’ll look for grants for or other folks to fund them and I’ve got a number of grants for projects. Some of them have been environmentally related; to do with marshes and streams, lakes and water quality.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">One funny grant I got was from the State of California. I knew the State was giving out money to help people learn about not dumping their motor oil on the ground or the ocean because it affects marine life. At the time, I was interested in the low-rider culture; the Latino culture of fixing up and cruising in their cars and so forth. So, I put in for a grant from the State of California, which I got, to do a series of videos on the low-rider culture and different low-rider clubs. I documented each of these clubs and suddenly, in each short documentary, I showed them recycling their motor oil. So, I got the message out that you shouldn’t dump your motor oil on the ground, and in the meantime I gave a platform to these different low-rider clubs to show that they’re good people and have a worthwhile hobby. Actually, a lot of them are doing charitable work. So, that’s just an example of how I get projects.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Some projects I do for free for different organizations. If it doesn’t take too much of my time I’ll video them and put them on the community access channel or put it on You Tube, Vimeo or somewhere online. Some of that I have done for the Michael Jackson groups. When Michael died, I did various videos and posted online and during the Conrad Murray hearings I posted some also.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Before you were hired to do the film on Neverland for Michael Jackson’s defense team, did you have a personal opinion about Michael, the trial and the allegations against him or were you fairly neutral?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>That’s a good question. I was pretty neutral. I hadn’t followed Michael’s career very closely though I had followed it like most people, and I always did enjoy following it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As I say in my documentary, often I felt where there’s smoke there’s fire, meaning, I saw in the press that after the ’93 settlement, again there was an accuser and apparently at the trial it seemed like there were other people coming out of the woodwork accusing Michael. So, I didn’t really know one way or another, but I thought maybe he’s a molester although I felt I didn’t have the expertise; I didn’t know. That’s one of the reasons I was happy to hired and be involved with the trial so I could get the inside information, and I happily learned that he is not a molester and never was. He was taken advantage of because of his kindness to people and also taken advantage of by the media. But, I never really knew one way or another and I was happy to learn that he was an innocent guy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> And did you come to that opinion while you were filming and seeing Neverland for yourself or while sitting in on the trial?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Well, I came to that opinion after looking at documents during the trial, after talking to his attorneys, after talking to others and seeing the evidence. That’s when I came to that opinion and I became fully immersed in all the facts to do with the trial and past allegations. That’s when I came to the conclusion that he was innocent.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> So, what was it like filming Neverland? What was it like being there? You had access to some of the private living areas didn’t you?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Right! Well, it was certainly like being a kid in a candy store for me. When I got the call to do the job I was just so happy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I’ve always enjoyed being around celebrities, particularly celebrities I admire like Michael Jackson, and I’ve always been fascinated with Neverland. I’d heard about it like most people and seen it on television. I remember thinking in the past that if I could ever go there that would be great. In fact, I did go there one time before I was hired. I was just in the area of Neverland, and my wife and I drove by and then drove up to the gate. I buzzed it and said, hi, can we come in? And the guard said, well who are here to see and I said, Michael. Then he wanted to know if we had an appointment. I said no, of course, so he just said well I’m sorry. I understood that. But, I’d always wanted to go and so when I had the opportunity, it was just fabulous.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When I went, I initially met with Bob Sanger who was one of Michael’s attorneys, and then I met with Tom Mesereau. Bob and Tom gave me a tour around the area and in addition, introduced me to the ranch manager and other staff. They told the staff that it was basically up to me where I wanted to go.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When I was given the tour, the attorneys and the ranch manager told me that this is what people would normally see at Neverland, and suggested that this is what I document, but it was kind of up to me as well. And what the defense team wanted to show was what Neverland was really like to a typical visitor; to a visitor that may not know Michael, as well as a visitor that gets to go into the private residence and so forth. So, basically I had free reign to go more or less wherever I wanted to go. Over a period of a month, I went on a number of occasions. Sometimes Michael was on the property, but I never actually saw him. I saw him during the trial at the courthouse. At Neverland, he would be in one area and I would be in another and I was also encouraged not to disturb him while I was there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">One of the buildings they wanted me to videotape was the guesthouse where the Arvizo’s stayed, because the family claimed they had been held hostage at Neverland; it was an awful experience, they weren’t allowed to leave, they weren’t allowed to know the time and so forth. So, they wanted me to show that the guesthouse was like living in the lap of luxury. Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando and others had also stayed there, but I couldn’t go in because it turned out that Michael was living in it. He didn’t want to go back into his bedroom at Neverland after it was defiled by the sheriff’s going through it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It was just a great place. Sometimes people ask me what was it like and I tell them that is it kind of a cross between a Beverly Hills mansion, antique museum and Disneyland. It was very well maintained and Michael didn’t change too much of the structures from when he bought it. It was developed by a man named William Bone, who was a golf course entrepreneur. Bone had built the main house, lakes and the guest cottage I believe. Michael redecorated it and added some other features to it like the amusement park, zoo, theater and his dance studio, but it wasn’t that different from the original property.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">By the way, I am really happy to hear that Michael’s kids are interested in possibly someday returning it to Neverland as a tourist destination. If that could be done that would be great.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I think it would be wonderful to have it reopened!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> I understand how the neighbors don’t want it because they feel it would be too much traffic and the stress on the local infrastructure, water, sewerage and so forth. But, in its heyday a lot of people did visit it and I certainly think select groups could continue to. I think there is room for more people to visit it. I’m hoping someday that something will work out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I had the opportunity last June, to go to Neverland. Not inside the gates of course; none of us were allowed inside, but one thing that struck me was just how beautiful and peaceful it was. I didn’t feel the negativity that some people were sensing. I actually felt a very spiritual connection with the land and I also felt there had been a lot of happiness there. To me that kind of outweighed the bad stuff that had occurred at Neverland.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> I think that’s a good point. There certainly were some unhappy times there, but there was a lot of happiness as well and also inspiration for Michael for his songwriting, dancing and developing his child-like nature. And I think just the message of what Neverland was about; the wonderful example to others. Neverland is about creating an oasis of wonderment and childlike beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Michael said he wanted to give break to the inner city, sick and disadvantaged kids and give them a place to go to that was fun to them. So, just the nature of why Michael built it the way he did, I think is a wonderful example to others to do charitable work. And hopefully others will be able to enjoy Neverland again in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> It’s true that you met Michael very briefly during the trial. You were sitting in the waiting room waiting to testify. What was your impression of him?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Yes, I was sitting in the waiting room and there was a little window where I could see people coming and going in the hallway. I saw, what I thought, was a boy scout. I went up to the window and sure enough it was Michael in one of his jackets with military style buttons on the side. So, I went out into the hallway and he came back in a moment. I just said hi, and he said hi, how are you. He gave me a really lovely smile, but it also seemed like kind of a sad smile for what he was going through at the time. I can’t imagine how awful it was to face his accusers every day after he had helped this family so much. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I testified on the stand for two days because I didn’t finish first day. Each day as I sat down, Michael kind of gave me a Buddhist bow; putting his hands together in prayer and bowing with a sweet smile to me. I didn’t talk to him a lot except for hi and thank you, but I could see the type of man he was and he must have had a lot of inner strength to be able to face all that negativity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">He was taller than I thought and he walked like a dancer, like kind of light on his feet. I’ve mentioned a few times in interviews that I noticed his nose. It looked like he had had plastic surgery and I don’t know if it’s rude to mention that or not, but I felt kind of sorry for Michael. I think he had more plastic surgery than perhaps he meant to have or maybe it was done more extreme than he meant it to be. And I know his father always made fun of his nose as he was growing up and maybe his siblings to. He was self-conscious about that and one of the video outtakes I had of him he says he thinks he looks ‘stinky.’ I felt sorry for him having plastic surgery that people make fun of. If anything, I think people should feel sorry for him and be understanding of it. But anyway, it was a pleasure to be in the same space with Michael, and I was really happy that I was able to help him in the way I did. I think the video of Neverland that I did, did help him.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUAwwnwI85Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUAwwnwI85Y</a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I had a few interesting assignments for the tour. One was to show his book collection in the house because the prosecution tried to make out that Michael had an art book with some nudes in it of boys. Then, they also showed some statues on the property where there’s some nudity and that in Michael’s briefcase there was a girlie magazine. To me that was all very innocuous; it wasn’t a big deal at all. For one thing, the girlie magazine showed he was a regular heterosexual man; it wasn’t child porn or anything. In terms of the books, Michael had something like 20,000 with 10,000 books on the property. To go through all those books and only find one art book that had some nudity in it, shows that Michael wasn’t focused on that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">What I was able to show in his book collection was the range of books he had. Michael said himself that he was a voracious reader and loved studying different subject matter. So, the types of books Michael had were books on show business, magic, religion, Christianity; books on child-raising to teach himself on how to raise children and he also had a lot of the classics. He appreciated the authors from the past. So, it was nice to see that aspect of Michael.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Yes, it is well-known that he was extremely well read, but obviously the prosecution was going to pick on just that one book. That was their focus because of the allegations and that single book was enough. That’s what they were looking for; they weren’t interested in the 19,999 other books that didn’t contain anything that could be construed as suspect.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Exactly! They were really unfair to Michael.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>They were! Very, very unfair and so were the media. But, accusing Michael because he had one art book that showed some nudity would be like accusing anyone who has an appreciation for the work of masters such as Michaelangelo and Bernini.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Exactly, exactly! That was a low blow, but luckily the jurors saw through it and found him innocent.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I was a little nervous after my documentary came out that the sheriffs might come after me, because in a way my documentary didn’t paint them and in particular the District Attorney, Thomas Sneddon, in a good light. But, they have acted professionally since then and haven’t bothered me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>That’s good to know. Now, you filmed outside the courthouse during Murray’s preliminary hearing and I’ve seen a couple of the videos you have done. What was the inspiration behind them?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Well, partly fun. I love media circuses being in the media myself. It’s always a fun spirit and also fascinating to watch how other media work and who shows up. I wanted to be around the fans, hang out and hear stories. I also wanted to assist some of the others that I know. I just basically wanted to help anybody I could there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">When the trial starts, I would like to put together a series of reports and I’m looking for a media outlet or a Michael Jackson organization that might help fund me. I’m actually putting together a short video now which I’m going to send to some folk to see if anyone would like me to do a daily or weekly report on the trial.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So, going there was a little bit of fun and to support Michael and his legacy; to support his family, the fans, other people in the field and possibly to make some money too. I need to make a living.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Well, you do have to keep that in mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Yes, and I’m really glad how tolerant the fans have been of that. I know when some of the Michael Jackson organizations try to do something and make money out of it, other fans will come down on them. I can kind of understand that, but on the other hand, you have to pay for your expenses and if you are not working you have to try and come up with some way to live. So, I’m glad people didn’t put me down for making some money and actually I haven’t made that much. But, I understand Michael believed in charitable work and I support that and others trying to do that as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> What is your impression of Michael’s fans? Do you think they deserve the labels they have been given by the media and non-fans?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Well, I’d like you to tell me what the labels are, but before you do, I’d like to say that I’m fascinated by the fans. I think it’s wonderful how they use Michael as an example of how to live and what messages to spread. In a way, he is like a religious figure that people revere and I understand that. There have been others also, President’s of the US, other entertainers that people really care for and use as an example.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">One thing I find interesting and sad in a way, is how some fan groups are kind of fighting with other fan groups. I’ve been around some of that and I was kind of surprised by it. I guess it goes along with the territory when people feel so very strongly about what they are doing and what they’re representing. They disagree with other groups and get into disputes and fights, and I’ve seen some nasty stuff go on. But, what do you say on how the fans have been represented?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Well, I have read reports by certain media and also in discussion threads online, where they have labeled fans as crazy, mean, blinded by their devotion to Michael, and unable to recognize the facts etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: </span>Well, that’s interesting and I see a little bit of that, but I think it’s true of any fan of any subject matter; for the Democrats, for the Republicans, for the Tea Party, for Obama. People who feel very strongly about something become somewhat blinded about the facts and just look at <em>their </em>side. So, I think that goes on with the Michael Jackson fans, but I think it’s true in any segment of society and in any culture.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> With having these labels and with the fighting within the fan community, it’s often difficult to present a better picture of the fans toward the media and public. As representatives of Michael, it’s important to have a positive, intelligent and mature public image.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Yes, it is kind of ironic that much of the fan community is trying to get out his message of peace and understanding and tolerance, when some people aren’t tolerant of others in the fan community. But, I think it’s for the reasons I just said. I think if something could be done to unite the fan community more that would be wonderful. I try to do that some and in fact when I went to the preliminary hearing there were some fan groups from opposing camps. I tried to be friends with both of them; to be a bridge. So, I try in my own small way, but I don’t know what else can be done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It strikes me that maybe one reason for it is; some of the in-fighting is from people who are non-professional communicators. They don’t do it for a living; it’s their hobby and something they feel strongly about. They don’t run big businesses and if they had they would be savvier about it; if you do something there’s going to be fallout from it and will lead to more consequences. So, it’s another reason how I understand why that happens. By the way, I think the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is very cool. I’ve seen a lot of positive stuff come out of that and it’s important what you guys are doing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Well, thank you. I was going to ask you what you thought about it, but you beat me to it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> I met Jerry Biederman at the Beverly Hilton, at the Jackson family party, and of course the artist David Ilan and some of the other staff. Jerry and David seem very professional and there are some very positive things coming out of the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait projects.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> That’s wonderful to hear. We are very proud of the Tribute. Larry, have you considered making a documentary on the phenomenal connection between Michael and his fans and vice versa, that even now two years after his death, is still strong and active?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Well, yes, I’ve thought of it some and I would like to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The<em> Untold Story of Neverland </em>was relatively easy to make because all the footage was just sitting here in my office. I shot additional footage; an interview with Tom Meserau and some dramatic re-creations, but it wasn’t that big of a deal, in a way, to put together. I spent the time doing that without being paid and made some of money back by selling it on Amazon, but if I was to tackle a new documentary it would be very time consuming and I wouldn’t be assured of being recouped for my costs. I’d also possibly be at some legal risk.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">As it is, the Jackson Estate gave me a hard time when my documentary first came out. They have since backed off, but I don’t think they realized that my documentary was positive to Michael and would help his legacy. They did send me a cease and desist letter and I had to have my brother’s attorney talk with them and so forth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I am a little nervous that if I did something again in the future whether I would get on somebody’s bad side and be at legal and financial risk. But, if I was to do one, and I have been gathering footage by going to events and doing interviews, I would like to do it either on the fan community and how the fans benefit from Michael’s legacy and what aspects of Michael’s life is shown through the fans, or another subject that would be worthwhile and people have contacted me about, is Michael’s philanthropy. Another subject that interests me is Michael’s interest in the child-like nature and how he channeled that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So, I may one day do another documentary and we’ll see what happens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> This is my last question Larry. Can you share what you are working on at present?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry:</span> Well, what am I working on…I’m working on doing a series of <em>Man in the Street</em> videos that would be seen nationally asking the question of the week, and I’m looking for an outlet. I actually have one fast food company I am talking with that possibly wants to use my <em>Man in the Street</em> video questions on their Facebook page and on their in store monitors. So, that will be a fun project.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I have a <em>Man in the Street</em> print column in my local paper and its questions about what makes you happy, what makes you sad, what books and movies do you like, what’s hard about being a parent, what’s easy. Some of these questions are kind of an example to others to learn about people psychology and to know you are not alone with your problems.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So, that is one project, but another that that I’ve been doing for hobby purposes is my <em>Dance for Peace</em>, and I recently did a couple of other dance videos. I’m doing other projects for attorneys; settlement videos that basically talk about their clients stories that can be used at settlement conferences. I did some generation exchange projects where I have young people interview older people and vice versa, and we post them on the internet. That becomes a value to those families and it gives an opportunity for seniors to mentor kids and kids, in a way, to mentor seniors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I have a couple of environmental projects that I will be doing. I’m going to do a recycling video and for some non-profit organizations I’m going to document some projects going on in Santa Barbara County. So, that’s a little bit of what I’m doing right now.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Larry, thank you very much for doing this interview with me. I've really enjoyed talking to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Larry: <span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Thanks for calling</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span> </span>It was a good interview; you did a great job!</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Valmai Owens</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-42055177227540892912011-05-04T12:34:00.000-07:002011-05-04T12:34:22.825-07:00Interview with Tom Mesereau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko7XXImRT3jN9JvILH_ErFu_4GUsQyZrByMgYTbQEp0cEHXPGMj6sClHDCyp-9gkQlE7xwZ7ApCKaUBTn9jHxajnEsx9FhiiaJmwu_hFsa2bW1NkLWiXmKA76kSX66PCrdS9LnO1lsK4/s1600/ss14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko7XXImRT3jN9JvILH_ErFu_4GUsQyZrByMgYTbQEp0cEHXPGMj6sClHDCyp-9gkQlE7xwZ7ApCKaUBTn9jHxajnEsx9FhiiaJmwu_hFsa2bW1NkLWiXmKA76kSX66PCrdS9LnO1lsK4/s320/ss14.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: black;">Tom Meserau was not sure he wanted to be a lawyer; in fact, his first career choice was journalism. But after taking his father’s advice, Tom graduated from Harvard University (cum laude) with a major in International R</span>elations<span style="color: black;">; he received a Master of Science from The London School of Economics and graduated from The University of California’s Hastings College of Law.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">He first gained national attention in the Robert Blake murder case preliminary hearing which was widely televised, and became internationally known for acquitting Michael Jackson in a case seen by many as unwinnable. In one year alone, Tom Meserau obtained 7 acquittals and 2 hung juries. Now he is deemed as one of the best trial lawyers in the country and the recipient of many public service awards and honors. But there is another side to Tom that he sees as perhaps his greatest accomplishment in a career both long and distinguished, and that is his humanitarian and charitable work.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Apart from his pro-bono work, Tom operates a free legal clinic in south central Los Angeles, called “The Mesereau Free Legal Clinic” and donates his time to such inner city organizations as the N-Action Family Network, Save Our Sons, Women of Watts, and Families to Amend California Three Strikes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">In this exclusive, heart-to-heart interview, Tom gives us his insight not only into the upcoming trial of Conrad Murray, his “lawyer” persona and Michael Jackson, but also into the man he is inside; a man dedicated to justice, the community and educating the young against gang violence, and to giving people a sense of worth and value in lives that might seem to them hopeless and pointless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Transcribed by Valmai Owens</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Tom, you were educated at Harvard University (cum laude), The London School of Economics and The University of California’s Hastings College of Law. Was it always in your heart to become a lawyer?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;"><strong>Tom: </strong></span> No, actually. My father was a graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, and he took a law course while he was in college. He always said to me, "Consider law school, particularly if you’re not sure what you want to do; it’s a great background for many things." I always had it in the back of my mind, but I never was sure that I wanted to be a lawyer; in fact, I thought seriously of being a journalist.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">My major in college was government; I concentrated in International Relations. After college I tended bar in Denmark for the summer, and then I was a speech writer for a United States Congressman from New York. Then I went to The London School of Economics and received a Master of Science in International Relations. So I applied to law school; I still thought about being a journalist, but ultimately I decided to be a lawyer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Well, we’re awfully glad you did.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom:</span> Well, thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Now you specialize in both criminal and civil trials and are widely recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in the country. You have also received many public service awards and honors. What do you consider as being the greatest achievement of your career to date?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom:</span> Well first of all, you have to understand that every life is valuable; I don’t value one life as more important than another life. So whether the case is high-profile or low-profile, a life is a life. When I save a life, it’s just as important to me whether the person is rich or poor or known or unknown, valued or not.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But I would say, to answer your question, my greatest accomplishment has been my ability to blend the practice of law with charitable work. I do a lot of pro-bono work. I founded my own free legal clinic in South Central Los Angeles, called The Mesereau Free Legal Clinic, where judges, lawyers, law students, college students and activists donate their time at least two Saturdays a month, to assist the poor who have legal problems. I’m talking about every kind of legal problem, both civil and criminal. It could be landlord/tenant, it could be healthcare, it could be Social Security, it could be probate or criminal, you name it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I think because I’ve gotten to be a high-profile defense lawyer, it’s made it easier for me to spread the word that lawyers must get back to the community, that we can make a tremendous difference and that a lot of the idealism we had in law school that we lost through the hard knocks of living can be recaptured. So I think my greatest accomplishment has been to serve as an example of lawyers who get back to the community.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> So that would be your motivation behind your civil rights and pro-bono work, to get lawyers back to the humanity of law?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Yes! First of all, there’s a selfish motivation as well as a charitable motivation. The selfish motivation is that I feel better as a person and I feel better as a lawyer. It’s good for the soul; it’s good for the spirit. So, when I talk to law students and lawyers about the need for pro-bono work, the need to find a certain percentage of your practice that is devoted to giving rather than receiving, I always tell them there is a selfish component: You will feel better as a human being.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You also assist local organizations and churches in drug recovery and youth counseling?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span>Yes, I speak at schools whenever I can, including middle schools and high schools, about the need for education. I try to encourage students to consider being lawyers, and I also speak out against violence, particularly gang violence. I try to educate kids on the justice system because Los Angeles is the gang capital of America. The gang problem is worse here than any other city in the country. Some of these gang families are now multi-generational. The grandparents, the parents and children have been associated with violent street gangs, and because it is so deep in a cultural way, I think people have to direct these young people as to what is really going on in the justice system when it comes to gang arrests and gang prosecution. A lot of these kids don’t realize that the tattoos they put on themselves or the nicknames they have, the way they conduct themselves, could get them convicted even of crimes they didn’t commit. There is such an anti-gang fervor in Los Angeles, it’s considered to be a form of urban terrorism.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I also just try to give positive direction to young people to let them know they have value, that they’re brilliant, that they’re smart, that they’re creative and that they should have high goals for themselves. I look at a lot of these young people and they can’t believe that someone is telling them they can be a lawyer, because no-one ever has. So I do like to go to the schools whenever I can.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I also counsel people at my clinic. Very often parents will bring young people in who are troubled, and I will do what I can to talk to them. I also have associated with various organizations that deal with youth. I march through the Projects once or twice a year with the Women of Watts and their children, against gang violence. These are some of the most violent Projects in Los Angeles. We usually march in June through the city with the police department, and we sometimes have shorter marches through individual projects, where we will light a candle on a spot where a young person was shot to death in gang violence and say a prayer. We try to focus attention on just what is wrong with all of this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I’m also on the advisory board of a group that deals with women and drug recovery or who are in jail, and also homeless children, particularly children whose parents are in jail. So we try to do what we can to help people transition into a better form of life. I get called from time to time to participate in various functions that deal with issues like this in the inner city.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Tom, what is your advice to young people with drug problems or going through recovery?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well, I don’t pretend to be an addiction expert. I can only give people the advice that I think is helpful. I try to let people know they’re not the only ones who are troubled, that all of us as human beings go through ups and downs. We all have our problems. Their problem might be drugs; for other people it may be emotional or it may be depression, maybe self-esteem. They may have turned to drugs for a reason; other people turn to other forms of anti-social behavior. So I try to let them know, don’t be down on yourself because you have this problem. All of us have similar types of problems in one form or another.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I try to tell them that they are very special people. They have value. They have uniqueness. This is just one obstacle to overcome. I do the best I can to let people know they have value because very often, young people come out of family situations, you know, where the recurring message is, "You have no value. You’re not special. You have nothing to contribute." When you hear messages like this directly and indirectly for a long period of time, it can do damage. I learned a long time ago that I had an ability to let people know how special they are and let them know what they can accomplish.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I remember a number of years ago when I spoke at a small middle school. It was for very troubled youth in Los Angeles, and these were young people who had been kicked out of every school. There was no other school left for them to go to; this was the last school that would take them. It was in a low-income neighborhood, a lot of poverty, a lot of violence and gang activity, and I was telling these students they should consider being lawyers. They first looked at me like I was crazy; they couldn’t believe I was telling them this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So at the end of this talk, a young African American girl came up to me who had had a terrible upbringing, and she had bullet scars on her forearm and shins where she had survived drive-by shootings on the street. She said to me, “I want to be a lawyer. I didn’t know I could be.” So I told her, “Yes you can. I think you would be a very good lawyer.” I saw the look on her face, and I realized that no one had ever told her anything like this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">A lot of these young people in the inner city need to be told they’re special, need to be told they’re brilliant. They have to be told they have value and that they can accomplish things. Nobody has ever told them this. Every message they’ve ever gotten has been quite the opposite.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So this is something I strongly believe in, in the way I conduct my personal and professional life. I very much believe that you have to find a way to let people know they have value.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> I guess if you’re told something often enough, if you’re told you’re stupid or ugly or worthless for example, you start to become the label you are given; you start to live it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Yes! And also remember, as I said before, that Los Angeles is the gang capital of America. This is where the Crips and the Bloods were founded and it’s now into its third generation. A lot of these young people don’t have families. They’ve been turned out on the street early. They’re being raised by one parent who may be a crack addict or have all sorts of other problems, and the gang becomes their family. People want to have a family and they do their best to find it somehow.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">So the gang becomes their family; their identity for protection, their direction, their religion, and it’s not all their fault. Someone has to do what they can to break that cycle, to let them know that there is an alternative which values them as people because too many of societies messages are, "You don’t count."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Yes, it’s very sad. We actually have the Crips and the Bloods where I live. Tom, are you following the Murray trial in this lead-up phase?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well, I’ve been following it in the media, but I’m not involved.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Are you able to give a professional opinion at all on the defense tactics?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span>I’m hoping he’s convicted; I admit I’m not objective. My opinion is that he acted very improperly; he should never have been administering propofol and certainly not allowing it to be in the home. That’s ridiculous! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I didn’t know until the preliminary hearing that there was evidence that he had allegedly tried to clean up the crime scene. I didn’t know that there was evidence that he allegedly did not tell paramedics and police about the propofol, at least initially. I was very surprised to hear that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">But you know, I’ve followed too many celebrity cases... Elvis Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, and you find these physicians become enablers. They’re afraid to deny the celebrity what they want for fear that they’ll be out of the fold, and I think it’s something law enforcement has to take very seriously.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Well how do feel about the defense strategy in saying that Michael killed himself?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom:</span> I think it’s ridiculous! I’ve already been on television saying it’s absurd. The Michael Jackson I knew was not suicidal. The Michael Jackson I knew had problems; you know I met him during a very difficult period, his anxiety, his sleeplessness, his depression was very acute, you know, as he was on trial for his life for things he never did. Anyone in that position would probably have needed some sleep medication or some anti-depressants, and I don’t know what he was using because I never saw him use anything. Nevertheless, I met him during a very difficult period, a very stressful period, but the Michael Jackson I knew was not suicidal and would never have wanted to leave his children. So I think it’s absurd!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Yes, I think we all agree with that, but I think it’s safe to say that what we can expect from the defense is the portrayal of Michael as suicidal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom:</span> Well yes, defense lawyers have an ethical and professional obligation to vigorously defend their client. From a strictly professional standpoint, the lawyers appear to be acting in a professional way consistent with their obligations. However, I disagree with what they’re doing and I think their client is guilty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Another point we agree upon. Tom, have you had any experience with Judge Pastor? Do have an opinion on him?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Yes I have. He’s a very, very smart judge, very experienced, very intelligent, very wise and I think he’s going to be a very good trial judge.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Well I’m a layman; I’m not that familiar with the judicial system or the law. Many of the fans aren’t. Can you tell me how much leeway does a judge actually have in his decisions regarding subpoenas, who testifies, and how expansive or restricting questioning can be?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom:</span> Well judges have considerable leeway to direct the course of the trial. They have tremendous power to do what they think is necessary to keep the trial orderly, to keep it dignified, and depending on who the trial judge is can have a tremendous effect on what happens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> The defense requested that Michael’s financial records be made available. Do you think they were aware the judge might deny this motion and this is why they have called Dr. Tohme as a witness?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> I don’t know if they were aware the judge might deny it. I think they are on a fishing expedition; I think they are desperate to try and find some kind of defense theory that might seem plausible. I’m very happy the judge denied the request to pursue a fishing expedition into Michael’s finances. I think Michael’s finances have absolutely nothing to do with what Conrad Murray allegedly did.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> No they don’t. I agree with that, but I think what they are trying to prove is that Michael’s finances were in such disarray, that he was in so much debt and so stressed out, this is why he allegedly killed himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> That’s absurd! It just shows how desperate they are to come up some kind of defense.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Do you think Murray will be called to take the stand?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> I don’t know the answer to that. I think that’s just going to depend on how the trial progresses and how well the defense believes they are doing. Trials always have surprises. No matter how prepared you are, you always know that certain witnesses are going to come up with things that no one expected them to say or do. I don’t think they’ll make that decision until the end.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Tom, what are your feelings about the lawyer hired by the defense who was peripherally involved in Michael’s 2005 trial? Do you see this as a conflict of interest?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well, I don’t know what he had access to, I really don’t. The judge apparently did a thorough investigation into the issue, and concluded there was no actual or potential conflict interest. So I have to assume in his confidential discussions with the attorney, that he concluded the attorney had no information that would create a conflict. But I really don’t know what this lawyer had access to, I really don’t.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span>What do you think about the decision to televise the trial? Do you see it becoming the same media circus as it was in 2005?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well, they didn’t televise the 2005 trial. I think there will be tremendous media interest in the case, particularly because it’s televised. It will give the public the opportunity to really look at these witnesses and see how they behave, and to really look at the evidence that the prosecution thinks should result in a conviction. So I think there will be tremendous interest around the world. Michael was the best-known celebrity on the planet, and much loved all over the world, on every continent.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> I think what a lot of people are concerned about is the way the media portrayed Michael, especially in 2005, and whether they are going to do the same this time round. I know in 2005 the trial wasn’t televised, but the media weren’t exactly impartial in the way they reported on it. If fact, some were quite cruel.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well the media are not interested in justice or fairness, they are interested in business, and business to them is revenue and ratings. They love shock value, they love controversy and you have to look at the media with that in mind. To them this is entertainment. It’s not a quest for justice; it’s not a quest for fairness. In their mind it’s strictly entertainment, so they will focus on whatever they think entertains, and that makes themselves profitable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">You have to be very wary of the reports you hear about trials when those reports come through the media. At least in this case people will be able to watch it, as opposed to listening at the end of the day to very shallow, short summaries from the media.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Much of the reporting in the Michael Jackson trial in 2005 was dreadful. They simply weren’t being accurate. They were just trying to report what was sensational and shocking. They would sometimes report what a witness said under direct examination, without even waiting to hear the cross-examination from the defense. So I think they presented a very illegitimate, a very awkward and poor portrayal of what was happening in the courtroom.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Will you be making yourself available to news outlets if they request your input on the proceedings? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> It depends on who they are, who the outlet is and if I think it’s going to be a professional type of situation. I’m available for that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai: </span> Tom, how do you see this trial ending?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Well, I have no way of knowing; I’m not involved in the case and I haven’t seen the evidence. I’m hoping that it ends with a conviction. I’m hoping that he is held accountable for what I think in my opinion, was a very unprofessional, very selfish and very foolish way in treating his patient.</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="450" src="http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/uploads_user/4000/3914/153592.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 3px solid; border-left: black 3px solid; border-right: black 3px solid; border-top: black 3px solid;" width="285" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> You spent many, many hours with Michael during what was one of the most traumatic periods in his life. What do you remember about his personal strength and composure?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Michael was one of the nicest, kindest people I’ve ever met, and my law firm partner Susan Yu, </span><span style="color: black;">feels exactly as I do. </span><span style="color: black;">He was nice. He was kind. He was well-meaning. He liked to see people do well, and he liked to use his reputation and resources to help disabled people, children from the inner city who grew up in poverty and violence. He liked to see people happy. He could have taken his wealth and prestige and just not dealt with children, not dealt with worthy causes. He could have been purely selfish if he wanted to, but that wasn’t what he chose to do. He truly wanted to make a difference. He wanted to bring people of all races, all religions and all nationalities together. You can see this in his music; you can see this in the way he lived. He had a great empathy for animals because he was such a kind person and he wanted to make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">He was somewhat naive when it came to the forces of evil circling around him and trying to destroy him. He didn’t quite believe that was going to happen and unfortunately, they put him through a nightmare.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Did you stay in touch with Michael after the trial?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span> Off and on for about 9 months after he moved to Bahrain. Susan Yu and I were helping him out, but he was talking to Susan much more than me. We did help out for about 9 months with the transition and then we moved on to other things.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> How do you think your life has been affected by Michael? What do you remember most about him?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span>Well as I said before, what I remember most is a very, very kind, decent, sensitive person. One of his great gifts was to make a positive difference in the world. He could have been more selfish. He could have simply rented a home on the Riviera and party if he’d wanted. He could have been purely self-centered, but that wasn’t the way he wanted to live. He felt that God had given him wonderful gifts and wonderful success, and hoped to change the world in a positive way. I believe he did.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Valmai:</span> Well, I agree most certainly with that. Tom, the MJTP and all the fans just want to thank you for believing in Michael, and for all the wonderful humanitarian work that you do. We love and respect you very much, and I thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Tom: </span>Well thank you very much. I’m honored and privileged to speak to you about all this and I wish everyone the best. He was a very special person, and I’ve always said repeatedly that he was one of the nicest, kindest people I ever met. I will always say that because it’s true.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.mesereauyu.com/thomas_bio.html">http://www.mesereauyu.com/thomas_bio.html</a></span><br />
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by Valmai Owens<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: Tahoma;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email</span> </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-50143330481224409422011-05-04T12:12:00.000-07:002011-05-04T12:12:59.080-07:00Interview with Matt Semino: Attorney and Legal Analyst<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsyULAT2NQhuUH5_qADsmaRS1HAvsaW41Rs4XyY34XcqrVbgOCfg3MYEY_3dJf2yS4PN2WcPeqp51C0niI9_ccxXNHZSFyrmwvjVr3EfzXMeSrknhxFhtvzYAdkS-wAJLN_vTaMJ8yQI/s1600/DSCN1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsyULAT2NQhuUH5_qADsmaRS1HAvsaW41Rs4XyY34XcqrVbgOCfg3MYEY_3dJf2yS4PN2WcPeqp51C0niI9_ccxXNHZSFyrmwvjVr3EfzXMeSrknhxFhtvzYAdkS-wAJLN_vTaMJ8yQI/s320/DSCN1519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We are very happy to present an interview with Matt Semino, a New York City attorney who has written extensively on various legal issues, including the upcoming Conrad Murray trial. Matt has kindly agreed to share his thoughts and opinions on a number of topics, many of which address our deep concerns about the court system and potential issues and strategies to be faced in the coming weeks. Matt shares with us his strong support for Michael and a legacy of enormous impact on world culture. Intelligent, educated and experienced insight is surely welcomed and necessary during this difficult time. Please welcome Matt, as he hopes his words and input are informative and helpful to all. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> </strong> Matt, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Would you give us an idea of your background, what area of law you practice and what your current interests are in legal matters, media or journalism in general?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> I am a private practice attorney in New York City, where I advise domestic and international clients from the entertainment, real estate and finance industries on a diverse range of legal matters, including strategic business transactions, compliance with government regulations, policies and investigations as well as complex litigation. As an attorney, I have also provided pro-bono legal defense and advocacy representation to U.S. political asylum seekers, and economically marginalized clients through New York based human and victim rights organizations. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As a legal analyst, I write and provide commentary on high-profile cases, trials and legal topics in the national media. My analysis is informed by my experiences as an attorney, as well as my work in the fields of entertainment, finance and public policy. I am fascinated by the frequent intersection of law with celebrity culture, as well as the tremendous power of media to shape public discourse on social, economic and political issues through popular legal stories.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">My interests in law, policy, entertainment and media were initially shaped through my earlier educational and work experiences both in the United States and abroad, and have developed further through my legal practice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I graduated from Columbia Law School and Cornell University, and studied at the London School of Economics. Prior to attending law school, I was a Fulbright Scholar in Southeast Asia. I gained exposure to the political and legislative system by working in Washington DC in the United States Senate for the late Senator Edward Kennedy, in the Justice Department under Attorney General Janet Reno, and in London in the British Parliament for parliamentarian Quentin Davies. My experience in the entertainment industry includes hands-on work with several film and television productions in New York and Los Angeles. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> Besides <em>The Huffington Post</em>, what other outlets do you contribute to?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> In addition to my legal column on <em>The Huffington Post</em>, my commentary has been featured through such national media as <em>FOX</em>, <em>CNBC</em>, <em>CBS</em>, <em>Forbes</em>, <em>Business Insider</em>, <em>Daily Candy</em> and <em>Bloomberg</em> online, among other domestic and international media outlets. I also contribute stories to the national news site <em>Examiner,</em> which are focused on entertainment, celebrity and society topics.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As a New Yorker, I support and serve on the committees of a variety of philanthropic and arts organizations, and have appeared in <em>Town & Country</em>, <em>Gotham</em>, <em>Hamptons</em>, <em>Avenue</em> and <em>Quest</em> magazines as well as <em>New York Social Diary,</em> in connection with my involvement through these cultural endeavors. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I am excited about future opportunities to share my legal analysis and commentary, particularly on the Dr. Conrad Murray trial, through <em>The Huffington Post </em>as well as other print media, radio and television sources. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span><strong> </strong>What was your experience like as a Fullbright scholar?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> My time as a Fulbright Scholar was one of the most personally and intellectually enriching experiences of my life. From 1998-1999, I had the opportunity to attend the National University of Singapore as a research fellow through the generosity of the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is the U.S. government’s flagship educational exchange program.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As a Fulbright Scholar, I conducted research on the currency crisis that was occurring during that period of time in Southeast Asia. I examined the impact of that financial crisis on human rights, democracy and monetary policy throughout the region. Through my academic and field research in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, I concluded that although the economic and social upheaval in the region had caused tremendous economic suffering and led to increased violations of human rights, it also generated powerful calls from citizens in these countries for greater governmental transparency, democracy and institutional reform. These citizen led movements created positive and lasting policy changes. In addition to my research in Southeast Asia, I had the opportunity to travel and gain exposure to the cultures, religions and societies in such countries as Tibet, China, India, Russia, South Africa and Bolivia, among others.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>What musical interests do you have? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span>As a child of the MTV generation, I have always been drawn to pop music and videos. However, if a song or an artist moves me, I will listen and explore no matter what genre. I am addicted to iTunes which makes discovering new music very easy! New York City is also home to some of the best musical performance venues in the world. Living in Manhattan, I have heard live performances of and developed an appreciation for classical, Broadway, opera, Latin, world, rock, alternative and jazz music as well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>When was your first experience or knowledge of Michael Jackson?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> I was hooked when I first heard “Thriller”<em> </em>on the radio and saw the epic video for that song on MTV. The rest is history!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Do you have specific favorite songs, films, albums or other artistic work?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> In terms of sheer pop classics, dancing and Michael Jackson iconography, the music and videos from the albums <em>Thriller</em> and <em>Bad </em>stand in the forefront of my mind as favorites. To me, they truly represent Michael Jackson as the ultimate showman talent. However, the somewhat darker, more emotional and political albums <em>Dangerous </em>and <em>History, </em>offer an authentic glimpse at what I believe was a deeply thoughtful, caring man and humanitarian. The music and videos from these albums are interesting to me because of their nuanced artistic and psychological layers, as well as their socially conscious messages. Specifically, “Man in the Mirror,” “Heal the World,”<em> “</em>Black or White,” “Scream”, “They Don’t Care<em> </em>About Us”<em> </em>and “Earth Song”<em> </em>best capture for me Michael Jackson’s human complexity, his compassion for the world and his personal struggles. These works make you feel and think all at once which, in my opinion, is the beauty of true art.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> How have you personally been affected by his artistry and body of work and the kind of person he was?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> Michael Jackson’s artistry as well as his humanitarian efforts, unwavering commitment to social justice and generous contributions to charitable organizations throughout the world, have served as an inspiration to me to follow my dreams with the goal of having a positive impact on society. His example of always looking to assist those less fortunate and of using one’s given talents to improve the state of the world in any way, large or small, are examples that I strive to follow in my everyday life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">When I was</span> a<span style="color: black;"> child and young adult, Michael Jackson’s creative body of work and public service actions shined an even greater light for me on such difficult but timely issues as homelessness, environmental degradation, AIDS, famine and racism, among other salient topics. Jackson demonstrated that if you want to create positive social change, it is entirely possible. Motivated in part by the philosophical underpinnings of his messages, I was drawn to the law because I know it is a powerful tool that can be used for helping others and working toward solving some of the world’s most complex problems.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> As an attorney, what was your general impression of the prosecution and trial in 2005?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> I believe the case <strong><em>People vs. Jackson </em></strong>and<strong><em> </em></strong>the 2005 trial involving Michael, represented the culmination of anti-Michael Jackson sentiment that had been building for years within certain segments of American society. Michael Jackson was tainted by the Chandler family’s accusations against him from the early 1990s, and as his music and persona evolved over the decade, the once adoring public and media generally began to turn their back on him. Sorely misunderstood, a variety of actors in law enforcement, the legal system and the media seemed convinced that Michael Jackson’s actions, lifestyle and public image painted the picture of a guilty man. They wanted him to be put away for good and would not stop until that happened. The 2005 trial was a modern day witch hunt. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Fortunately, the prosecution’s case against Jackson revealed that the accusations lacked any substance or element of truth. Sloppy investigative work, extremely weak and conflicting evidence, disastrous witness testimony as well the accusing family’s history of attempting to extort celebrities, were all factors that contributed to the prosecution’s inability to convince a jury of Michael’s guilt. Yet, despite being found not guilty on all charges, Michael Jackson was still unfairly vilified by segments of the media in their hungry quest for ratings. This type of abysmal treatment by elements of the public and media, in my opinion, only led to further destruction of his image, career and soul. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Have you studied or researched or simply had an interest in Michael as a person and artist and his difficulties in life?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span>As a Michael Jackson supporter, I followed his artistic career, humanitarian endeavors and the various stages of his life since childhood. As an attorney, I have always been intrigued by Michael Jackson’s complicated legal and financial history, as well as his business dealings during the course of his adult life. Since his untimely death, I have studied and conducted extensive research on the events and circumstances leading up to that tragic moment, as well as the complex cultural legacy and impact Michael Jackson has had and will continue to have in modern society. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">More specifically, I have recently been focusing my attention on the criminal charges against Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, in connection with his death. Through each stage of the Dr. Murray case, I have been following and evaluating the hearings, evidence, witness and media accounts, the jury selection process and anticipated legal strategies of the prosecution and defense as it proceeds to trial. I have also been providing legal analysis and commentary on the case through a variety of media outlets, particularly on <em>The Huffington Post</em>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> What are your thoughts or impressions of Michael?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> Michael Jackson was larger than life. He is arguably among one of the most famous individuals in modern popular culture. The intensity and magnitude of his celebrity, talent, wealth and notoriety, allowed him to touch and connect people across the world through a common creative language. Yet at the same time, the amalgamation of these characteristics built a complex man who, although loved and adored by millions, was an enigma to many. Sadly, the combination of his extreme power with his extreme vulnerability made Michael Jackson an easy target for the unscrupulous. While Michael Jackson’s enormous and positive impact on culture and humanity will be felt by future generations, his life story is ultimately a modern-day Greek tragedy. It was a tragedy though that did not have to happen. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Can you speak to the issues in the upcoming Murray trial, physician responsibility, financial gain, power, celebrity?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> The Dr. Conrad Murray case represents the potentially lethal power that celebrity, power and greed can have on the patient/physician relationship in Hollywood, and in communities beyond the exclusive enclaves of the stars. When accepted standards of professional practice and ethics are abandoned in the pursuit of fame and financial gain, the human toll is disastrous. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">In my piece <em>Dr. Conrad Murray Trial, a Bitter Pill to Swallow</em> that was recently published on<em> The Huffington Post</em> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/dr-conrad-murray-trial-a-_b_814401.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/dr-conrad-murray-trial-a-_b_814401.html</a>, I examined what I believe are some of the most salient issues that this high-profile legal story touches upon. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As this is a case about the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the death of Michael Jackson, one of the most famous figures in the world, it will no doubt set precedent. The outcome of the case will be particularly influential in connection with the medical establishment's future oversight of the private patient/physician relationship, and in the regulation of routine sales of potential addictive and lethal drugs to medical practitioners.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Hopefully, some of the important legal and social questions that this trial will address include; (1) What are the permissible professional and ethical boundaries of the physician/patient relationship, particularly those of a private nature? (2) What are the expected standards of care that a physician owes to his patient, and how can these standards be better enforced by the medical establishment and legal system? (3) How can the sale of excessive amounts of harmful medications and drugs to physicians, be better regulated to prevent systemic abuse and ultimately harm to patients? (5) Does the power and allure of celebrity and the prospect of financial gain contribute to unethical professional practices in Hollywood and beyond? If so, what policy steps can be taken to prevent future tragedies?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>Many fans, friends and advocates for Michael are angry, and feel powerless to stop the anticipated smear campaign by the defense. What are your thoughts on that issue? Is there any concrete action that can be taken to avoid or lessen this trauma?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> In order to convict Dr. Conrad Murray on the charges of involuntary manslaughter, the prosecution through the presentation of its case, must convince a jury of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Reasonable doubt is a standard of proof used in criminal trials. In a criminal case such as that of Dr. Conrad Murray, if the jury has any reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s guilt the jury should pronounce the defendant not guilty. Conversely, if the jurors have no doubt as to the defendant’s guilt or if their only doubts are unreasonable doubts, then the prosecution has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant should be pronounced guilty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The sole object of Dr. Murray’s defense team will be to present its case in any manner that it believes within permissible ethical and legal boundaries, will place reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors to ensure that their client is found not guilty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">To the distress of many of Michael’s fans, accomplishing this will likely mean that the defense will dig up and play to past negative stereotypes and public perceptions of Jackson. The defense will also likely paint a picture of Michael Jackson as a demanding, drug dependent pop star who used the power of his celebrity to force Dr. Murray to obtain, and give him excessive amounts of propofol and other prescription drugs. It is also anticipated that the defense is planning to go as far to claim that Jackson injected himself with the lethal dose of propofol while Dr. Murray stepped out of his bedroom. While Dr. Murray’s legal team has every procedural right to present the strongest case possible, their arguments will no doubt be grounded in a classic ‘blame the victim’ defense. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It is inevitable that some segments of the media will cling to the defense’s less than favorable depiction of Michael Jackson. However, Jackson fans can take concrete actions in response. As the trial proceeds, fans can continue to petition and peacefully campaign against and/or boycott news programming and reporting that is perceived to support the distortion of facts, and that blurs the boundaries of ethical journalistic practice. The Michael Jackson fan base was highly successful in preventing the airing of a Discovery Channel show depicting a simulated autopsy on the star through these powerful means of collective action. Fans should continue to employ such tactics wherever they see factually false stories or inaccurate depictions of Jackson being presented to the public.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The Michael Jackson fan base can also engage in its own form of citizen journalism and attempt to shape the news through their personal interpretations of events. With the explosion of online media and blogs, there are many new opportunities and outlets for individuals with a viewpoint to share their perspective with a global audience. Such venues can provide vocal and informed Michael Jackson fans with a platform to counter what they believe is tabloid journalism by some mainstream media outlets. Finally, the Michael Jackson fan base can seek to promote and place into the mainstream media those journalists, commentators and media personalities that they believe best exemplify integrity and ethical practice in their reporting, and who will provide balanced analysis of the issues at hand. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>Given what is known about this case, what are your thoughts on the charge of involuntary manslaughter vs. murder II or a higher charge? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span>Many Michael Jackson supporters have expressed to me their anguish and disbelief that Dr. Conrad Murray was only charged with involuntary manslaughter, and not a higher charge such as second or even first-degree murder. They also believe that it is a slap in the face to Jackson, his family and his fans that he would only face a maximum of four years in prison if found guilty on the charges, particularly for a physician who acted so negligently in the care of his patient. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I do understand and empathize with the thoughts of many of the fans on these issues. It all looks to be quite unjust on its face. However, when looking at these charges it is necessary to understand the legal distinctions between various degrees of criminality in the law of homicide.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The reason Dr. Murray was only charged with involuntary manslaughter and not a higher charge boils down to what his likely state of mind was in the commission of the alleged crime, and what level of charge the existing evidence in the case will best support for the prosecution to ensure a conviction. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The law generally differentiates between levels of criminal culpability based on the <em>mens rea</em> or the state of mind of the accused. Within the law of homicide murder requires (i) either the intent to kill (with a state of mind called <em>malice</em>)<em> </em>or (ii) knowledge that one’s actions are likely to result in death (with a state of mind called <em>malice aforethought</em>). On the other hand, manslaughter requires a lack of any prior intention to kill or to create a deadly situation that may lead to death. Manslaughter is usually broken down into <em>voluntary manslaughter </em>and <em>involuntary manslaughter</em>. Dr. Murray’s charge of <em>involuntary manslaughter </em>is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being without <em>malice aforethought</em>. <em>Involuntary manslaughter </em>is distinguished from <em>voluntary manslaughter </em>by the absence of intention.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">In my interpretation, the evidence that has been collected and presented so far in the Murray case indicates that Dr. Murray violated his Hippocratic Oath, deviated greatly from proper standards of medical practice and professional ethics, and acted in a manner that was so negligent that Michael Jackson died under his watch. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">However grossly negligent Dr. Murray was in his care of Jackson, that same body of evidence though does not seem to indicate that he actually had the <em>intent</em> to kill or the <em>intent </em>to cause serious harm to Michael Jackson, the necessary state of mind under the law to warrant a higher charge in this case. In order to increase their odds at a conviction it is likely for this reason, the lack of demonstrated intent, that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office did not seek a higher charge against Dr. Murray.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> Patrick Treacy, Michael's physician when he was in Ireland, is quite definite about the inevitable shredding of Michael's reputation once again. Do you have any suggestions from a legal standpoint on how Michael's fan base can brace or respond to this onslaught by the media?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">(Below is Treacy's interview with Aphrodite Jones)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://investigation.discovery.com/videos/michael-jacksons-death-the-conrad-murray-defense.html" target="_blank">http://investigation.discovery.com/videos/michael-jacksons-death-the-conrad-murray-defense.html</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAAr0NKkVSI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAAr0NKkVSI</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> From a legal standpoint, one of the most effective means for Michael Jackson fans to address any social, political or economic issues that are of importance to them or that effect them as a group now and into the future, is to directly address those issues through the legislative process. If the fan base perceives that greater media regulation and reform is needed in the United States, then they should continue to build advocacy organizations and lobbying groups that will vocalize the importance of these issues to their elected representatives in local, state and federal government. With effective leadership and strategic action by the Michael Jackson community, such organizations and groups may ultimately be able to influence the legislative process and have laws and policies enacted that can achieve the desired reforms.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Michael's fans are repeatedly marginalized in the media as 'crazy'. What has been your experience with those you have had contact with?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt:</span> Michael Jackson fans across the world are passionate people. Rightly so, millions of them are emotionally connected to what he symbolized as an artist, a humanitarian and a man who faced his own personal struggles throughout life. People from all races, religions and nationalities feel that they can relate to Jackson on many different levels and for a diverse range of reasons. Ultimately, he connected humanity. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Because Michael Jackson truly inspired and gave tremendous hope to so many people around the world, fans are angry that he was taken so soon by circumstances that could have easily been prevented. They are justified in their emotions. Michael’s fans have felt distressed for a number of years that a human being who they viewed was so talented, compassionate, kind and generous could be bullied in such a highly destructive manner by certain elements of society. Michael’s fans see injustice, and because they are highly vocal and visible they have been incorrectly labeled as ‘crazy.’ </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Since I began to write about Michael Jackson following his death, I have been contacted directly by legions of his fans from every corner of the earth. From Russia to Egypt, India to England and everywhere in between, the Michael Jackson fans that I have communicated with are some of the most sensitive, caring, thoughtful and eloquent people I have ever spoken with. Each has shared personal stories with me about how Michael Jackson touched their lives and how he gave them hope amidst their own personal challenges. They have also expressed to me highly intelligent thoughts and analysis on why they believe Michael’s rich life was cut short, and have offered their interpretations of the facts in the Dr. Conrad Murray case helping to shape my analysis along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">One of the most impressive aspects of the Michael Jackson fan base has been their ability to peacefully organize through the establishment of a powerful online community and tangible advocacy groups, to further Michael Jackson’s cultural legacy and humanitarian efforts. They should continue these activities also through the establishment of nonprofit entities that will advance the causes Michael Jackson supported. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Ultimately, Michael’s fans have the collective power to right what they view as wrongs in society whether it concerns Michael Jackson or other issues, by employing their strong voice and unified vision. Michael Jackson fans should never be discouraged by disparaging labels! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> What are your thoughts about old, familiar media faces that maligned Michael repeatedly in the past and now re-appear to do it again? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> This does not surprise me at all. Ironically, many of the media figures who maligned Michael Jackson in the past have achieved even greater financial success and professional notoriety through their biased and sensational reporting. If these media personalities continue to garner ratings and are rewarded by networks for doing so, there is no incentive for them to change their approach to "The Michael Jackson Story" no matter what the set of facts they have before them. At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the viewing public to demand truthful reporting, ethical professional practices and accountability from journalists, media personalities and news organizations. As the media is primarily a profit making business, there will be no commercial advantage to story manipulation and the distortion of facts if the public refuses to buy it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> What are your opinions about 'blame the victim' defenses; not just in Murray's case, but overall? How is that in any sense justice, when the victim has no voice?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> The relationship between a victim and a victimizer is typically characterized by an imbalance of power. It is usually the victimizer that holds, manipulates and then exerts their power over the victim, exploiting the victim’s weaknesses with dangerous effect. Although a victim may engage in behavior or place themselves into circumstances that contribute to them being exploited and ultimately victimized, it is the victimizer who should ultimately be held responsible for abusing their power in the relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As Michael Jackson’s physician, Dr. Murray possessed a great deal of power over his patient even though he claims the opposite. He had the professional responsibility not to abuse that power for personal gain no matter what Michael Jackson, the victim, had done to find himself in a position of weakness. Yet, the ‘blame the victim’ defense that Dr. Murray’s legal team is expected to present at trial, serves as a very easy and convenient litigation strategy. Michael Jackson will be unable to refute any negative characterizations whether true or false that are made about him and the circumstances that caused his death, while Dr. Murray, on the other hand, will have the power to testify and state his interpretation of events.That seems quite unbalanced to me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The defense will likely play to the jury's emotions by perpetuating the popular, but not wholly accurate perception that Michael Jackson was an emotionally and physically weak pop star who was addicted to propofol, forced Dr. Murray to administer it to him regularly and ultimately caused his own death. It is difficult to image that justice can be fully served when the same imbalance of power that characterized the Dr. Conrad Murray/Michael Jackson relationship in Jackson’s home, will now rear its ugly head in the courtroom. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Do you expect to participate in the discussion/discourse about this trial? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span>Absolutely! I will be covering and providing legal commentary on significant aspects of the Dr. Conrad Murray trial and its verdict for <em>The Huffington Post,</em> as well as on national radio and television news shows as requested. I am looking forward to contributing my legal analysis of the evidence presented at trial, witness testimony, the strategies of the prosecution and defense, as well as the social and policy implications of the verdict. My overall objective is to provide a truthful and balanced perspective on the facts and issues presented by this monumental case through a diverse range of media outlets. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>Are you aware of the importance of people like yourself and also Tom Mesereau, Patrick Treacy, those who knew or worked with Michael, cultural historians and researchers like Joe Vogel, friends and others who have a platform to speak about Michael and the truth as we know it? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> That is very kind of you to say and to include me in this distinguished group. I believe it is essential for those fortunate enough to have a platform to address issues of injustice, inequity and abuses of power to do so whether it is concerning Michael Jackson or others. Though, with the power of such a platform comes the responsibility to speak with honesty, and to avoid the manipulation of news subjects and facts solely to serve ulterior commercial and/or personal interests. Unfortunately, as we have seen in the past with reporting on Michael Jackson, not all who possess such a platform act with ethics and professional responsibility. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span>Why do you think the media focuses so fiercely on negative aspects in regard to Michael, and virtually ignore his humanitarian and artistic legacy?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> Ratings. Easy sound bites. Profit. As long as media can continue to draw viewers and advertisers through a certain type of reporting style or story angle, whether it is about Michael Jackson or any other public figure, it will continue to do so. Many people could not understand Michael Jackson’s appearance, lifestyle, interpersonal relationships, child-rearing choices and other aspects of his personal actions. It became popular to ridicule Jackson, viewing him as an eccentric who stood outside of society’s norms and was to be feared. Whether or not these perceptions were justified, the media found it easier and more profitable to play to and reinforce sensationalized accounts of Jackson, as opposed to digging deeper into his humanitarian or artistic contributions to society.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">After years of this fiercely derogatory reporting, and as Michael Jackson’s legal and financial problems continued to mount, it became ingrained in the public consciousness that any news about Michael Jackson was going to be negative news. In my opinion, no matter what Michael Jackson did, this tidal wave of destructive media attention became too overwhelming and it ultimately broke his spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren:</span> Do you have an opinion about racism playing a part in negativism toward Michael?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt:</span> Yes, racial stereotypes played a significant role in the public and the media’s growing negativity toward Michael Jackson. As Jackson’s skin color and facial appearance changed over the years, many people became confused about why these changes were occurring. There was constant speculation about his race, and Jackson was consistently interrogated about whether he still identified himself as African American or was trying to be Caucasian or another race. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">In my opinion, this type of questioning and negative examination of Jackson’s surface appearance and racial identity were borne out of pre-conceived, and narrow societal constructs of what are the expected physical characteristics of different races. As Michael Jackson’s appearance changed, many people became uncomfortable with the fact that they could not place him squarely into a defined racial box. Very few sought to understand the physiological and psychological reasons that were driving the changes in his physical appearance. Instead, his skin color and facial characteristics became just another easy sound bite and eccentricity to point the finger at. I always thought there was an underlying element of racism that perpetuated this highly debated topic. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Lauren: </span> Is there anything you would like to add?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial black, avant garde;">Matt: </span> I want to thank the Michael Jackson community for providing me with the opportunity to share my thoughts and perspective on an individual who I believe was not only a tremendous artist, but a humanitarian of the highest order. Michael Jackson is responsible for improving the lives of so many people around the world, and has left an indelible mark on this earth. I commend the millions of passionate and compassionate Michael Jackson fans who continue to work so tirelessly to preserve his legacy in our culture and on humanity. Thank you! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">by Lauren</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This interview appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: Tahoma;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></span></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-67853041232832630792011-05-04T11:57:00.000-07:002011-05-04T11:57:15.777-07:00Standing on the Side of Love: The Michael Jackson Legacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq746qx_93A8mCzUG1tXmbUS-s_sewflohM4siaM_oDnx4EAVWtwJ-OF6IckKWfCVWMwaRxs1VIUG2e6LilDgpGptSP6XYHqG7Kja2AyxQ6REoRT1fOiJYtvVeD9QnQEy5l04aQ66Qas/s1600/Vision+of+the+Madonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq746qx_93A8mCzUG1tXmbUS-s_sewflohM4siaM_oDnx4EAVWtwJ-OF6IckKWfCVWMwaRxs1VIUG2e6LilDgpGptSP6XYHqG7Kja2AyxQ6REoRT1fOiJYtvVeD9QnQEy5l04aQ66Qas/s320/Vision+of+the+Madonna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">When the last exhale of the “lets blame Michael Jackson” foolishness is finally breathed and the death gurgle is unmistakably heard, the world will finally know its mistake. I believe Michael even knew that. I believe he even planned for it. And like trail markers left on trees in the forest, the path he took to immortality was well marked by Michael himself to one day be recognized.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">A trailblazer is often not appreciated until long after they are gone. Genius is an elusive thing and it’s easily misunderstood. And those who carry it are often thought odd or different. The truly gifted among us are rarely recognized in their own time by their own culture and often they are outcasts of their own kind. Especially the ones who shatter ideals on the rock of truth. They are always disturbing to the unenlightened and unwilling. They are always ahead of their time—sometimes a bit or sometimes a lot, and it’s human nature to fear that which we don’t understand. When we fear, we try to destroy. This too, shall pass.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Some future and not-too-distant day we will put away childish things and as a race, we will grow up. We will learn to treat each other better and we will recognize when those among us are treasures. We will wake up from a deep hypnotic sleep and understand where we came from and what that merits in how we behave and treat each other. The trail that Michael left points out one way that we might exit the forest to find the trees. Or exit the fog and to enter the clearing. His message said every which way but loose, whispers to us or sometimes shouts: “Awaken!”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">When exploring Michael’s legacy and what he left behind in his work, I am often reminded of the poem by British playwright, Christopher Fry, whose work I also admire:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong>A SLEEP OF PRISONERS</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: andale mono, times; font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span>The human heart can go the lengths of God...</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Dark and cold we may be, but this</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">is no winter now. The frozen misery</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">of centuries breaks, cracks, begins to move;</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The thunder is the thunder of the floes,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">the thaw, the flood, the upstart Spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> Thank God our time is now when wrong</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">comes up to face us everywhere,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">never to leave us till we take</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">the longest stride of soul men ever took.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> Affairs are now soul size.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The enterprise is exploration into God.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Where are you making for? It takes</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So many thousand years to wake...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> But will you wake, for pity's sake?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Who Michael Jackson was and is, is so complicated that it is hardly recognizable that we are in a puzzle that needs to be put together to reveal the bigger picture. Finding the pieces, identifying what they are and where they belong is a process. Not all the pieces are yet on the table. Some of those puzzle pieces will come from the most unexpected places.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Michael Jackson was a force. His message and mission was divinely inspired and God is not going anywhere. The Universe has a way of supporting the advancement of its creations—in this case, humans and the race. There is something to be learned here and it is big. Michael knew that. He knew his place and his worth and he taught that philosophy to others. His message was simple—remember you are god-sent and act like it.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">I believe there is a grand plan, a blueprint, if you will, for the evolution and advancement of the race. This experiment called Earth is an important one; it is at once elegant and genius because it is an island and there is nowhere else to go. Putting all kinds of live beings together on a lonely island, hanging it out in space somewhere and then letting them have free will and free rein, is either a prescription for disaster or a blueprint for that race’s eventual evolution toward love. Michael understood that and began standing on the side of love. He helped to push the race forward. Someday that will become clear.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">There are forces of course that push back and that has always been true. Resistance is one of the things we do well. And we still learn more through fear than love, but that is changing. In order to know what we want, we must starkly represent and identify what we don’t. Michael helped us with that. Just because he’s gone does not mean it’s over. His memory is still very much alive in the collective mind—sometimes for good and sometimes not. But Michael understood even that polarity and its purpose, and the alchemy of opposites and paradoxes and breakthroughs whether subliminal, recognized, yielded or wielded. And wield he did. The Excalibur sword was not forged in a moment and is not drawn from the stone without force. And we have yet to discover we are the kings who have already arrived.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">To keep hope alive, take a look at the take back of our democracy movement in the Midwest, the anti-tyranny movement in the Middle East and North Africa. Remember the overnight attention given environmental toxins from offshore oil and now the safety of nuclear fuel. See how an unknown woman named Neda, in Iran, can become a martyr and symbol for a movement that rumbles quietly in the background of the collective psyche. Notice how the new youth eschews complacency and embraces civil disobedience and more for the sake of revolution, and how U.S. Senators stand for principles instead of the more safe “political correctness”, and vote with their feet when those feet feel the heat on the path to autocracy. With the internet and social media, it becomes harder to hide treachery and easier to oppose it together. Sometimes one event can change the world. Overnight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The world around us swells with the winds of change. And that is the kind of wind that takes the breath away and knocks humans off balance who eventually learn to stand aright. People are weary of corruption, of corporate and other greed and inequality of all kinds. It’s all a modern version of the movement of Michael’s youth: “Power to the people!” That too is a prescription for disaster or a turn toward the light—in the hands of the capable, the responsible and level headed. Chaos theory works, darkness will not prevail and the truth is not going anywhere—it’s only hiding. For now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">While controversy stills swirls around all things Michael Jackson because there are still those who find darkness comfortable, there are others who seek the shimmer in whom he really was because they are able to acknowledge their own inner brilliance. <em>This Is It</em> has caused many to rethink their initial judgments. <em>Michael Jackson The Experience</em> will lead youth into that frequency and Michael vibe with dance and its’ exhilaration. Joe Vogel’s book <em>Man in the Music</em> promises to reveal the true musical genius, and other books to reveal the man. Cirque de Soleil’s <em>Immortal</em> will be experienced and remembered by thousands, and they will understand the message in the music and lyrics of one skinny little Moonwalker.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" height="753" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/Trial18.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 3px solid; border-left: black 3px solid; border-right: black 3px solid; border-top: black 3px solid;" width="500" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">How will Michael be remembered? It’s not over till it’s over and the fat lady is still in the dressing room with her vocal coach just getting warmed up. There is no mistaking the work of the heart and art for the evolution of the soul in service to the world; there is only the forgetting that one is the gallery. It’s not going anywhere. Michael is not gone—only his body is now still. The legacy moves and lives forever. The truth is a marathon and the race is not over; I am not betting against that sword of truth or against Michael for I have my ticket, I am the gallery and I am left standing on the side of love. Ah… I see you are standing here too. Now could you please pass me that sword over there?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Artwork by <span style="color: black;">Rev.</span> Barbara Kaufmann. 41/2 foot by 41/2 foot painting: "Vision of the Madonna" acrylic on 1/2 board which hangs in a retreat center in the midwest.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">by Rev. Barbara Kaufmann</span><br />
<a href="http://www.innermichael.com/">http://www.innermichael.com/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: Tahoma;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></span></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-3926616256971494632011-05-03T15:23:00.000-07:002011-05-04T14:03:49.259-07:00Michael Jackson Legacy: The Lies That Bind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnYczv5dIbJ3jyXhtuNqY26j2i06XvF-2ZtFtBN9PXViQFjuSY32qtJp_tMAkT9V1EDTgchpl0YudQwOg5uYJkM1ZwpXUiZ0ZMfg90CmDojfuWIgWHZaruGB2G9d9tpGK2bTCmLBnoso/s1600/zu3js+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnYczv5dIbJ3jyXhtuNqY26j2i06XvF-2ZtFtBN9PXViQFjuSY32qtJp_tMAkT9V1EDTgchpl0YudQwOg5uYJkM1ZwpXUiZ0ZMfg90CmDojfuWIgWHZaruGB2G9d9tpGK2bTCmLBnoso/s320/zu3js+%25281%2529.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">April 29, 2011. London. Westminster Abbey groans under its own weight in flowers and a nation prays for the sun to shine. A centuries old country hyperventilates as it waits for a young Prince and a young woman who would become a Princess – well, Duchess as it turned out – to kiss. The level of anticipation and interest in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, building in the weeks and days before the big day, powered not only by a media whipped frenzy, but out of the massive desire to see the eldest son of the late ex-Princess of Wales make his choice before an audience of billions. Lady Diana Spencer, self-confessed ‘Queen of Hearts,’ was for many both in England and overseas, the real heroine of the Royal Family. And it was the memory of the joyous potential a young Diana’s own wedding represented and the huge sorrow and anger her death precipitated – that gave her son’s wedding the pathos and historic power it did. </span><br />
<div></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The reality that it was in fact Diana’s death that revitalized the mythology and popularity of the British Royals is a deeply ironic one. Subjected to hostile media headlines after Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s marriage collapsed – in the wake of Diana’s death, the Royal family achieved its lowest approval ratings since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. Miraculously, that same Royal Family now enjoys the new affection that has transferred from the people’s adoration and respect for Diana – a respect she earned, to her first-born, Prince William. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The political Establishment, Royal family and still prevalent ruling class in British society, shunned Diana for her seemingly unpredictable informality and distinctly modern way of relating to a people the British constitution stubbornly defines as subjects. But the reason why Diana herself manifestly rejected the destiny that had been carefully mapped out for her, and was then rejected by the Establishment for that snub, was this singularity: Her refusal to accept a loveless marriage.<em> </em>That generations of Royal wives and aristocrats before her had put up with unhappy, arranged marriages and done so silently, did not change Diana’s mind or subsequent acquiescence </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">to divorce.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Diana; the shy girl who became a woman before the world’s lens, portrayed then (and still now in some quarters), as weak, stupid – and famously, by parliamentary member Nicholas Soames on the BBC’s flagship, political TV program, <em>Newsnight,</em> in November 1995, after Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir as – suffering from ‘mental illness’ and in the ‘advanced stages of paranoia’– simply said ‘No.’ Deciding the vows she made during her 1981 wedding – not to mention the intrusive media she undeniably became a victim of – could no longer be honored if the husband she made them to did not love her exclusively: Diana made a choice. Though that choice would expose her increasingly to the aggressive attentions of a rapacious press who would not be ignored, one question amongst many bears asking: Would Diana have done anything differently if she still had the chance to choose between a loveless commitment or personal freedom and self worth? One suspects the answer would be no.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And it is this truth, in addition to Diana’s extensive philanthropic work – that is her greatest legacy. It is why the moniker ‘Queen of Hearts’ still has real potency and longevity. The example she set for her children and to the world: that no amount of privilege or perceived social status could ever compensate for the misery and pain that a life of emotional deception entailed – remains a bold and powerful one. The sole reason why Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton caught the imagination and hearts of millions around the world is simple: He married for love. And that choice, that one decision, will now ripple glorious effect into the generations that will result from it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the BBC’s evening coverage of the event, British reporter Andrew Wilson commenting, stated this truly unprecedented fact: “For the first time in over three hundred years, a future monarch has looked outside the inner circle for his bride – and brought her home.” This was Diana’s true gift. Diana bequeathed to her children the necessity of living an authentic life no matter how difficult, and the value and need for authentic love to fill that life. The first of her sons has now opened that gift. That is the power of legacy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Legacy. A curious word. It applies to bloodlines of inherited wealth and historic families, and equally it applies to every human being. Who we are, how we live, and what we give during the lifetimes we are assigned – are key parts of sum we leave behind. And across the pond Michael Jackson also leaves a legacy to his children, and to the world. Like Diana, Michael used his fame, time and energy – not to mention millions of dollars – to positively benefit the lives of others. And like Diana, Michael also lived his life under unimaginable scrutiny. In Diana’s latter years however, the albeit tenuous respect afforded her by the media in Britain after her divorce and new relationships, not to mention the still rapturous media she enjoyed in America and around the globe, were exponentially more humane than that extended to Michael Jackson. While both these public figures endured violating levels of media attention, Michael did so for far longer and on a much more malevolent scale. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yet there remain striking connections between these two icons; similarities which apparently Michael and Diana were themselves well aware of. In a 1997 interview on the popular television program <em>20/20,</em> American host Barbara Walters revealed that the last two concerts of the European leg of the ‘<em>HIStory</em>’ tour were dedicated to Diana after Michael learned of her death. Poignantly, in that interview Michael revealed that during one of those concerts he had this thought of the late princess. “I love you Diana. And shine on forever, because you are the true Princess of the people.” Interestingly, Michael’s choice of words here completely negates the media mischaracterization of him as being unaware of, or unable to understand the politick of the real world. Clearly Michael understood the deep insult and exclusion the British establishment intended Diana when, as a condition of her divorce settlement, it was insisted that the title of ‘Princess’ be removed from Diana’s official ranking as a Royal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">By referring to Diana as a ‘Princess of the People’ before an audience of millions, Michael stated the obvious: that after her death Diana was – in truth – this even more so. Symbolically too, since Jackson is known throughout the world as the ‘King of Pop,’ by declaring his sense of empathy with Diana and her struggles, Michael expressed in words the resonance and connection he felt with Diana that, in fact, exists on a number of levels. Many celebrities do good works, endorsing a charity is <em>de rigueur</em> for any modern PR savvy star. What made Michael and Diana so different was the <em>way</em> they gave to others, the overriding sense they did it from a place of compassionate service; not out of duty or because it would ‘look good.’ The similarities do not end there. Both Michael and Diana met not only untimely deaths – but violent ones. One, the result of a high speed chase through Parisian streets by paparazzi on motorcycles; the other, at the hands of a <em>prima facie</em> acutely negligent physician treating his patient with inappropriate drugs for relief from chronic insomnia. The grief that attended both these deaths was compounded by the certain knowledge that they were both overwhelmingly unnecessary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Only the most imperceptive would deny that Jackson’s insomnia was undoubtedly the result of a life massively traumatized. Even for someone used to living in the glare of uber fame, the level of stress, abuse and cruelty Jackson had to deal with, went far beyond what any individual could healthily be expected to cope with. Indeed there is an argument – a strong one –for contending that Jackson would never even have arrived at a point in his life where he felt he needed doctors around him constantly, had the media persecution which came his way not been so unrelentingly vicious. Used to being bundled through the back doors of hotels and venues long before he hit his teens, Michael often said he had ‘rhinoceros skin.’ Clearly he did not. And now the toll of false allegations exacerbated and perpetuated in the public consciousness by the overtly malicious, commercially-driven marketing of Jackson as some sort of monstrous harmer of children by at least two generations of journalists, editors and TV pundits across the spectrum of media – now undeniably threatens the positive truth of his legacy. And it is that threat that has united many in one outstanding purpose: Restoration. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The reality that Michael Jackson remains the one of world’s least celebrated humanitarians, and despite fourteen emphatic ‘Not Guilty’ verdicts in the criminal trial of 2005, has not as yet been vindicated in the actual – is testament to the enduring power of perception. This perception of ‘guilt’ dominated Jackson news stories while he was alive and continues even after his death. Present day media comment in the run-up to the Conrad Murray trial that only hinted at the ‘demanding addict’ sub-text has now exploded into full blown accounts of ‘drugs found in the Neverland raid,’ and horrifically, graphic speculation about what the autopsy pictures may look like. It is evidence that the powerful and pervasive Fourth Estate shows no sign yet of any desire to recant the years of distortion they issued into the public domain. Many believe this state of affairs to be insurmountable. The question is, is it? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Years of self-serving media narrative will take certainly take time to be righted. But the journey back has begun, and it has begun in earnest. One way this is being achieved can be seen in the new narratives now surfacing. Amidst the wealth of rush-to-copy, mostly picture books releases that hit the market soon after Michael’s death, others have sought to push back the years of media misrepresentation and actually honor an exceptional life. To date, three publications are notable. American journalist, Aphrodite Jones’s ‘<em>Michael Jackson Conspiracy</em>’ published pre-2009 in 2007, details the extent of a preconceived negative bias within the U.S media towards Jackson and how that was reflected both during, and after, their coverage of Jackson’s 2005 trial. Post 2009, Bruce Swedien, noted recording engineer, released ‘<em>In the Studio with Michael Jackson.</em>’ In it, Swedien takes it back to the music, tracing the beginnings of his working relationship with Jackson from as far back as <em>The Wiz</em> through to HIStory – and does Jackson great service throughout. More recently, Joe Vogel’s new work, ‘<em>Man in the Music: The Creative life and work of Michael Jackson,</em>’ set for international release in October 2011, also promises to positively contribute to Jackson’s legacy – simply by returning the conversation to Michael’s commitment and service to the creation of phenomenal music, dance and visual art. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the arena of journalism, Jones’s work with <em>Discovery Investigation</em> via her <em>True Crime</em> television programs has so far made modest impact on the prevailing smirking content found in the majority of current media, but these are early days. Similarly, British journalist, Charles Thomson, in hugely important articles on <em>Huffington Post</em> and elsewhere, has consistently exposed the damaging inaccuracies about the legal challenges faced by Jackson – inaccuracies still recycled ad nauseam by the media. In addition, a multitude of positive articles and interviews from people who knew Jackson personally (and some who didn’t) – such as David Nordahl, Thomas Mesereau, Elizabeth Taylor, Susan Fast, Stephen King, Jeff Koopersmith, Forbes Everett Landis, Michael Bearden, Linda Deutsch, Armand White, Stuart Backerman, Matt Semino, Dr Patrick Treacy, Barbara Amiel, Jonathan Margolis, Dave ‘Dave,’ Ishmael Reed, Gerald L. Campbell, Wade Robson, Howard Bloom, testimonials from stars and those who worked with Michael professionally, and the many families who benefited from the outreach work Jackson did continually throughout his life; are all part of the new narrative that could potentially transform the destructive Jackson meme most of the media remains irrationally attached to. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mention must also be given to a hugely ambitious project undertaken by Reverend Barbara Kaufmann. In 2010, Kaufmann, herself a minister, award winning writer, <em>Huffington Post</em> contributor and bright voice in the field of activism – gathered together a bank of exceptional articles, poetry and case studies, inspired by and dedicated to the lives and incompletely acknowledged achievements of both Lady Diana Spencer and Michael Jackson – as part of the collaborative ‘<em>Words and Violence Project</em>.’ It stands as a body of work that, in time, could one day be widely referred to and used by educational centers to further our society’s understanding of how words and media culture occupies a dual ability to both benefit and damage the lives it touches.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Likewise, a range of websites diligently compiling their respective collections of memories, anecdotes, stories, facts, and extent of the phenomenal philanthropic gift Jackson gave, are also contributing – some better than others – to the archiving of Michael Jackson’s legacy. While many of these sites focus only on the musical accolades and aesthetic of Jackson’s many ‘eras’ in his musical career, some notable ones go further and actively keep alight a true record of Michael Jackson’s compassionate legacy to a world that so dramatically refused it. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Among these, <em>Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</em> Represented by members and visitors from over 180 countries, 250 thousand so far (and counting) have signed up to be part of the largest [dot] comprised portrait of Michael Jackson ever commissioned. Also worthy of note is <em>The Silenced Truth</em> website. One of the first sites to draw attention to the gap in the world’s understanding of who Michael Jackson was, <em>The SilencedTruth</em> also hosts one of the most comprehensive lists of Jackson’s humanitarian contributions. Another site worthy of highlight is <em>MJJ-777.</em> Hosted by Jackson archivist Seven Bowie, it’s an exquisite repository. Rich in facts and a cultural breadth reflective of Jackson’s impact on the world, this site is a must-visit destination for not only fans, but all those who seek to expand their knowledge of Jackson. Also of note are the informational grand central stations in the forms of <em>MJTruthNow,</em> <em>Vindicatemj, Reflections of the Dance, </em>and the outstanding blog spots of <em>smokeandmirrorsmj, gatorgirl277</em> and <em>mjandjustice4some. </em>To dismiss – as some do – the value of the work produced on these sites and blog spots as merely ‘fan’ sites hosting partisan perspectives, is to fail to comprehend the extent of the staggering research amassed on these demonstrably, credible sources. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The rejuvenation proper of Jackson’s official charitable legacy has still to be re-ignited since the Estate is still in probate and thus has to seek specific legal dispensation to make payments even to approved creditors. But as the executors – John Branca and John McClain – of the Estate of Michael Jackson expressed as recently as April 21, 2011 as part of a larger statement, their intention to make decisions and “… <em>direct contributions to recipient charities … with complete regard to Michael’s wishes and Michael’s legacy, which we intend to honor and perpetuate</em> ” – should assure those who need it that rejuvenation is indeed coming. The legal furore over the sensitive and complex settlement with Howard Mann and Melissa Johnson, who held the rights to various trademarks and control of the ‘<em>Heal the World Foundation,</em>’ itself an unauthorized impression of Michael Jackson’s original vision – has paradoxically within it the seeds of a new platform for the Estate, Michael Jackson’s family – and three children to go forward from an albeit clumsy beginning to a future that possibly reincarnates that vision. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On January 25, 2011, Zach O’Malley Greenburg of <em>Forbes </em>reported that the Estate of Michael Jackson earned $275 million more than Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z <em>combined. </em>An intimidating statistic considering the artist earning these gargantuan sums is in fact dead. But this also suggests that if speaking in purely monetary terms alone, the legacy of Michael Jackson is very much alive. Greenburg notes much of this boon was due to the commercial boost that nostalgia driven sales of ‘all things Michael’ received ‘following the King of Pop’s death,’ which of course indicates that the one thing the ‘Michael Jackson’ brand does not lack – is an audience. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In February of this year, the Estate of Michael Jackson declared it made over $310 million before debt clearance, and it is no doubt banking on that same audience to consume the array of Michael Jackson products now flooding the market. These include: the interactive dance game <em>Michael Jackson the Experience</em>, box-set <em>Michael Jackson Vision</em>, collector’s item <em>Opus</em>, the film <em>This Is It</em>, the <em>Cirque du Soleil</em> collaborative live extravaganza <em>The Immortal World Tour</em>, the Epic album releases – part of the Sony corporation, and a legion of Michael Jackson posters, T-shirts and merchandise etc, as well as the sales of Jackson’s peerless musical back-catalogue. None of this, of course, even takes into account the plans for a replica ‘<em>Vegas Neverland</em>,’ the revenue possibilities for the actual Neverland, and the over $1.5 billion estimated worth of the Sony/ATV catalogue jointly owned by the Estate and Sony. Yes, in purely monetary terms alone, legacy is big business.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But the success of a legacy turns on more than just balance sheets and portfolios. Clearly the Estate has already made more money than any of Michael’s three children could spend in a lifetime, and to those children it will not be their father’s money they remember – or long for. The lasting legacy of Michael Jackson will, in reality, rest on the <em>de facto</em> restoration of his rightful place as not only one of America’s greatest creative sons, but also one of her most unjustly judged. After death, a man (or woman’s) reputation is the unwritten text on which the memory of that individual falls or stands. The public’s insistence on an ambivalent collective relationship with Michael Jackson, and the American and British media’s engineering and perpetuation of that stance, however – is not fixed. Flux is inevitable, and the pendulum <em>will</em> swing. Perhaps to somewhere in the middle, or perhaps just beyond the catastrophic damage wrought by years of media malice and deception by characters that need no introduction here. That will not be good enough for many of course, but how far that pendulum swings will be down to the work of those actively involved in the work it will take to move it further. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The reshaping and restoring that Michael Jackson’s reputation deserves will need work to make that restoration a reality. But behind the scenes a body of people that combines fans, advocates and supporters, the Estate, the Jackson family, Jackson’s friends, the generations of fans yet to come – and perhaps Michael’s children; are all part of that groundswell. Just as Diana’s children now forge new destinies because of the gift their mother gave them, three voices bearing the name Jackson may one day join the force that now gathers pace but as yet lacks focus. Because the reality is this: it isn’t only love that survives. The lies that bind will remain as tightly fastened as they are allowed to – and Michael Jackson’s legacy demands nothing less than the truth</span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">by Deborah Ffrench</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: Tahoma;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span></span></span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-24848679076534018592011-05-03T15:13:00.000-07:002011-05-04T11:41:14.504-07:00What's Wrong with This World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5brFAXBGtit4e471uDJX6Djdat1mSt7kAkNI0ftwodzMxYoaKlxC92iiNM_PzNbAlK_eHXiG7pA-tvRZezHuUcOOvevTGQCdE8uSPshg7_DxKeRd0gKC2I0vOEfmBEtzWM4xcb8tqe8/s1600/1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5brFAXBGtit4e471uDJX6Djdat1mSt7kAkNI0ftwodzMxYoaKlxC92iiNM_PzNbAlK_eHXiG7pA-tvRZezHuUcOOvevTGQCdE8uSPshg7_DxKeRd0gKC2I0vOEfmBEtzWM4xcb8tqe8/s320/1464.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">I recently came across an intriguing documentary that is now showing in various parts of the United States called, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://iamthedoc.com/">I AM</a></em></span>. It was directed by Tom Shadyac, a Hollywood director whose previous work includes some very successful comedy blockbuster films such as <em>Ace Ventura: Pet Detective</em>, <em>The Nutty Professor</em> and <em>Bruce Almighty</em>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">In this film however, he sets out to explore the answers to two very important questions:<em> What’s wrong with our world, and what can we do about it? </em>I believe the answers to those questions can be found by looking at the way Michael Jackson was treated during his lifetime.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">He was one of the most successful and influential recording artists of all time with estimates of 750 million records sold worldwide. His achievements are too many to name, but the records he holds in the <em>Guinness Book of World Records</em> give a small glimpse into the success he achieved:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><em><strong>Guinness Book of World Records</strong></em></span></div><ul><li><span style="color: black;">Michael Jackson’s <em>Thriller</em> is the biggest selling album of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">A record 504,000 people saw Michael perform for seven nights at Wembley Stadium in London in 1988, achieving the distinction of most successful concert series. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Michael won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, more than any other artist in one year. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Michael secured the largest recording contract ever, a reported $890 million with Sony, with prospective earnings of $1 billion. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">He achieved the highest-ever viewing audience during a Super Bowl performance; 133.4 million viewers watched the NBC transmission of Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993. According to this <em>NY Times</em> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/sports/football/30sandomir.html">article</a>, “Jackson produced a stunning first: raising NBC’s halftime rating higher than the Super Bowl action before it.” </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Pepsi Cola made Michael Jackson the highest paid commercial spokesman by paying him $12 million to do four television commercials. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Michael’s Jacksons <em>Bad</em> tour brought in record-breaking gross revenue of over $124 million during September 1987-December 1988. </span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="color: black;">In addition, Michael released thirteen number one singles, more than any other male artist and he was the first black artist to have a video aired on MTV.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Source: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.worldamazingrecords.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-guinness-book-of-world.html">World Amazing Records</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">He obviously had an amazing ability to achieve extraordinary success which very few people are able to accomplish. Whenever someone is able to achieve that level of success people take note, and the ones who want to ride their coattails aren’t far behind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Although his accomplishments are amazing, what they did is made some people view him as a product instead of a human being, allowing their hearts to close off to him, creating a lack of empathy that permitted them to feel justified in lying, criticizing, condemning and using him for their own monetary gain.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon;">“I am bewildered at the length to which people will go to portray me so negatively.” -Michael Jackson</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">His extraordinary success also caused him to become the target of extortion attempts. In an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.reflectionsonthedance.com/interviewwithdavidnordahl.html">interview</a></span> with Deborah Kunesh, creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.reflectionsonthedance.com/">Reflections On The Dance</a></span>, David Nordhal, Michael’s personal painter and friend of 20 years said, “Michael would get between 50 and 60 extortion attempts per year. Most of them were paternity. Women claiming that Michael was the father of their child and a whole bunch of other ones were over music. Somebody had written a song or something and they claimed that Michael had stolen their music or their words. All of those things got thrown out of court because once they got to court they couldn’t back it up.” The worst of the extortion attempts were the ones who used his love of children against him to accuse him of horrific acts. </span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;">“The more I spoke with him about the alleged molestation charges, the more firm I became in my belief that they were part of a universe of money-making opportunities created by charlatans.” </span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;">-Thomas Mesereau</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">In the May issue of the MJTP magazine, <em>Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive</em>, Valmai Owens, Editor-In-Chief, interviews Thomas Mesereau about the upcoming trial of Conrad Murray for the death of Michael Jackson. Mr. Mesereau is the trial lawyer who successfully defended Michael as his lead counsel in the 2005 child molestation trial. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/ae171/Mymjblog/?action=view&current=149.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae171/Mymjblog/149.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 5px solid; border-left: black 5px solid; border-right: black 5px solid; border-top: black 5px solid; display: block; margin: 5px auto;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">When asked what he would consider his greatest achievement in his career to date, Mesereau said, “Well, first of all you have to understand that every life is valuable. I don’t value one life as more important than another life so whether the case is high profile or low profile, a life is a life. So when I save a life, it’s just as important to me whether the person is rich or poor or known or unknown, valued or not.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">That comment made me realize why he was brought into Michael’s life to defend him, because he was able to see him as a human being.<strong> </strong>Michael Jackson wasn’t a product that was going to make Tom money; he was a father, a son, a brother and a man who just happened to need Mr. Mesereau’s help in that moment. I can’t help but wish the same insight would have been present in the professionals caring for him during the final weeks of his life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;">“I’ve followed too many celebrity cases... Elvis Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, and you find these physicians become enablers.They’re afraid to deny the celebrity what they want for fear that they’ll be out of the fold and it’s something that I think law enforcement has to take very seriously.” – Thomas Mesereau </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Enabling is a subject I have become intimately familiar with. On June 26th, while I was in California for the one-year anniversary of Michael’s death, I found out my 19-year-old son had developed a problem with addiction. I was devastated. I never, ever thought this would happen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">As a result, I was thrust into a world I never knew existed and boy, did I learn a lot. People from all walks of life, all cultures and all educational types of backgrounds become addicted to all types of substances.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I was introduced to the concept of enabling while he was in treatment. Enabling is defined as “to make possible or easy.” In the case of someone who has an unhealthy dependency, if you’re making it possible or easy for them to remain dependent on that substance, then you are taking away their power and ability to heal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">My son’s counselor helped me understand the power an enabler holds and the devastation they can cause when he started to identify enabling actions. Realizing I had done some of them I said, “I do those things out of love.” His reply? “You’re loving him to death.” In that instant I got it. I stopped being an enabler that day thus giving my son back his power to heal, which he did.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">If Michael Jackson had a problem with addiction or a dependency of any kind, and since I didn't know him personally I am in no position to know or say, then what he needed in that moment of his life was to be treated responsibly and given back his power to heal. If he developed a dependency on medication in order to sleep and Murray continued to allegedly provide and administer it to him under those circumstances, especially in the reckless way he did, then he was an enabler whose actions resulted in disastrous consequences and he should be held accountable. . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">In response to Valmai’s question about his greatest accomplishment, Mesereau went on to say, “My greatest accomplishment has been my ability to blend the practice of law with charitable work.” He does things that are good for the soul. He believes that lawyers should give back to the community and he believes that he can make a difference in the world by doing so. He sees every human being as valuable, no one more special than the other, regardless of what they have accomplished.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I haven’t seen the film <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://iamthedoc.com/">I AM</a></em> </span>yet because it hasn’t come to my hometown, but my response to the question <em>What’s wrong with our world? </em>is that a lack of empathy has created a lack of regard for our fellow human beings. We haven’t come to recognize the importance of making people feel like they matter. A lack of heart has created a lack of compassion.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span>If you’re living with a closed heart it makes you feel justified in tearing others down. It becomes easy to participate in man’s inhumanity to man, lying, criticizing and condemning those who seem different. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><em>A letter Michael wrote to his critics in 1987 </em></span></span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFySi-0oGCbL5kFsXOZ016KBE6VaeVbSbx6zX4RN9RNlyxbccOZE2xTKq0g0EiEZUIyjJiusp-y_X79JPqh4JChZpUlb37UvmXfcMxEtLk4gft2um2UWBPu1EQkr90FhvTItAoALwFsw/s1600/1475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFySi-0oGCbL5kFsXOZ016KBE6VaeVbSbx6zX4RN9RNlyxbccOZE2xTKq0g0EiEZUIyjJiusp-y_X79JPqh4JChZpUlb37UvmXfcMxEtLk4gft2um2UWBPu1EQkr90FhvTItAoALwFsw/s320/1475.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The message that is being sent through the lies, the deceit, the criticism, the condemning, the using and the enabling of another, is that <em>you don’t matter</em>. You’re feelings don’t matter; your integrity, your dignity, your reputation, your health, your well-being and your happiness don’t matter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">In response to the question <em>W</em><em>hat can we do about it? </em>I believe the solution lies in developing our ability to have empathy for others. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, said, "Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world." If Michael Jackson would have been given more empathy maybe he would still be here with us today.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">We have to be conscious of how our actions affect another person, taking care to treat them as a human being that matters. We have to be able to stand in their shoes so we can see what they see, hear what they hear and feel what they feel, which will give us the capacity to act compassionately and responsibly toward them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We also have to treat <em>ourselves </em>as though we matter by doing things that are good for the soul, making a difference in the life of someone else, giving back to our own communities and maintaining our own sense of dignity by respecting ourselves and others.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We have to put the heart back into humanity so humanity will live with heart. When that happens, I believe we will all begin to understand what Tom Mesereau already knows: that every life is valuable. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">by </span>Linda Higgins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive,</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a2610c; font-family: Tahoma;">http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/</span></a><br />
and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span></span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-9659691433708694342011-05-03T14:27:00.000-07:002011-05-04T11:40:51.766-07:00Lasting Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjQlWGFjFatCLt5ytIwWl5S-SPOY5MewHCNaYp7Iq1gAbV7j-riiAD2-sKAz1MNmFws8ockG_DQhyi4L4X57SGmYGAAVHw9pOnQxLMmehF3T-PEUKA_s3oVGzgyqSGCfLuHuQqQ98JiI/s1600/mj_4_rehearsal_590x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjQlWGFjFatCLt5ytIwWl5S-SPOY5MewHCNaYp7Iq1gAbV7j-riiAD2-sKAz1MNmFws8ockG_DQhyi4L4X57SGmYGAAVHw9pOnQxLMmehF3T-PEUKA_s3oVGzgyqSGCfLuHuQqQ98JiI/s1600/mj_4_rehearsal_590x450.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Lasting impressions. We have all experienced those moments in time when someone or something has left an indelible mark upon us, an effect that causes a feeling both permanent and enduring. These impressions are imprinted upon our minds and hearts forever to dwell within our life memories.</span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">Michael impacted our lives in ways we are still discovering; ways in which some of us are trying to understand. Slight of frame, huge of heart, empathetic to all creatures, a musical genius breaking barriers across time while carrying a love so great and unselfishly given, Michael left a powerful mark on the face of generations past, present and future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We, his fans and supporters, each have our own memories and different impressions placed upon us from time spent walking a shared, and spiritual space with Michael during his time on this planet. All<em> </em>of <em>us </em>will remember the good that was this man without doubt or uncertainty, without question or blame. But how will the media and public remember him?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Far from embracing the light that shone from this man, there are those who choose to remember Michael in quite a different way. A means to an end. A commodity of endless scandal. Efforts concentrate on negativity and controversy, and the public soak up this information in what for some is seen as the final episode in his life, a life to us that was given to humanity, a life to us that was cruelly taken before its time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Michael’s last trial looms before us. He stands accused once again, not of the heinous charges and allegations of the past, but of the mismanagement of wealth, and relief sought through means that at the end would see him take his last breath. A life once more open to speculation, ridicule and blame, dissected before the world in an attempt to shift culpability from the taker of life, to the giver of love.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Is this how the ‘Moonwalker’ will be remembered? Will he become another of our bright stars that lit the sky with blazing light, burnt out and drained of life and spirit by those who feed off their energy; by those afraid of the words change, justice, equality, peace and….love? Will Michael’s final portrait be painted in the colors of laughter and mockery, shame and guilt? His face staring out from yellowed posters and magazines? His song encased in plastic covers and buried in discounted bins?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As extreme as this may be, it has happened to others. Michael, one of our brightest and most beautiful stars cannot be allowed to rest still surrounded by controversy, allegations, cruel mockery and the pointing of fingers. This should not be the last testament of a life lived in service to his craft and humanity.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The characterization of Michael’s name by those who seek nothing else but pleasure and profit through its exploitation, obscures the world’s view of the ‘real’ man. It is up to us to show the musical genius, humanitarian, messenger and gift that Michael truly was, and reveal his legacy as a lasting impression that should be remembered by all. One that is deserving of recognition by all, rather than one overshadowed by a few who seek not truth, but notoriety through deceit and falsehood.</span><br />
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<object data="http://www.youtube.com/v/fwry-3KE8Vs?fs=1&hl=en_US" height="390" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480"> <param name="data" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fwry-3KE8Vs?fs=1&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fwry-3KE8Vs?fs=1&hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object><br />
<span style="color: black;">Video by Bonnie Lamroc- <span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mj-upbeat.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mj-upbeat.com/</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwry-3KE8Vs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwry-3KE8Vs</a> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© Valmai Owens, 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a> <span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770363716722400621.post-50501358787817019842011-05-03T14:17:00.000-07:002011-05-04T11:40:28.040-07:00The Man I Really Am<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmavJRmHAP4gLjvaM5exmKtlg0nb1ENcBSKh3vuTPXHVmuOurE-nkif2lY_sK6mJbleMrlrP8GaJMXIn53kCKO0ZMmQ1gcsmSAjJ3fV4IibyHChnFmeEMfHOgs3USUUEQG_jbt1f-8L4g/s1600/GHOST+IN+SHADOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmavJRmHAP4gLjvaM5exmKtlg0nb1ENcBSKh3vuTPXHVmuOurE-nkif2lY_sK6mJbleMrlrP8GaJMXIn53kCKO0ZMmQ1gcsmSAjJ3fV4IibyHChnFmeEMfHOgs3USUUEQG_jbt1f-8L4g/s1600/GHOST+IN+SHADOW.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Michael once asked, “Is it Scary for you?” In his powerful lyrics,he was expressing his knowledge that he was indeed a mirror; the mirror for every one of us. He asked if he was the ‘beast ‘we visualized and if so, that’s exactly what he would be. The darkness or light that lives in a soul sees itself clearly in Michael; he becomes who we are inside. The darkness interprets Michael as strange, grotesque, that ghost under the bed, haunting and different. But is he, or is it us? </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Recent events and the approaching trial has opened floodgates of negativity…we all feel it…it’s a living thing palpable in the air; inescapable. We are reluctantly standing on the cusp of a terribly difficult time, one that Rev. Jackson once referred to as a ‘season’ of life. In the warm glow of summer, joy and contentment thrive. Spring is anticipation and promises of personal growth with hope. Autumn’s face is beauty and peace, but winter’s season is cold, hard days…. days when one wishes to pull the covers up and resist greeting a new day. I wonder sometimes how Michael survived his winters of life. As human as each of us, his challenges and tribulations were so difficult and soul searing that we suffer for him even now, with tears of loss and desire for a second chance. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> <img alt="" height="174" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/clannard1/images11jpgbluestorm.jpg" style="border-bottom: black 3px solid; border-left: black 3px solid; border-right: black 3px solid; border-top: black 3px solid;" width="290" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: black;">The storm is coming just beyond tomorrow and winds are blowing. One pulls that collar up on a favorite coat and a choice is made. Put the gale at your back and leave this place or turn and face the onslaught, because it’s gathering strength in confusion and lies. Cycles of anger, indignation, disbelief and tears are your fate; it hurts to see love trampled. A life opened to exam</span>ination<span style="color: black;"> once again and we ask, “Does it ever end?” Michael knew the strange, evil ones reflected in his mirror and we know also. We know the faces, words and intentions of the old, familiar ones who return in glee to harm our lost one. And we’ve met the new ones with pressed suits and cutting words; protectors of guilt and deception. We see through fancy titles and dishonest statements of caring. And words lash at us also, as crazies and worshipers with a dab of obsession.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We also know the brave and the bright ones; the ones with voices and a platform who speak our thoughts and pain. We love them, and call them vanguards and heroes because they are. Men and women who knew and know who Michael is… what he and now we stand for. Writers with elegant words and insight who heal the wounds or show us how to place a band aid and move on. Men who fought old battles and men who know what the Hippocratic Oath really means. Those who put truth on paper with lovely photos on hardcover copy. And the many of us with normal lives and busy days who share a vision with Michael, of a better world and healthy, happy children. </span><br />
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</div><span style="color: black;">Michael lyrically protested against cruel, fabricated stories that he believed "got the people confused about the man I really am." Carnival sideshows chipped at his pride and humanity. And a wordsmith asked, "How did he stay vertical?" And how do we who love him, come to terms with Michael lying motionless as that new storm approaches? </span><span style="color: black;">By individual strength and determination, a willingness to withstand barrages of sanctioned bullying on a daily basis and a love made of steely resolve…. all necessary to counter enough hurt to rattle the atoms in a body’s cells. Remember the grace that walked with Michael all those days in 2005? Few knew of the anguish he kept at home while living the faith he had in his Creator’s truth. Can we do less? As Michael’s family surrounded him with unwavering purpose and support during those dark days, we are now asked to do the same as we defend his memory. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As we continue to keep the faith in truth, some will find strength in spiritual connection and the knowledge that Michael’s hands are present here. Others will find solace in his music and words that continue to inspire and raise up souls. The positive, necessary energy of intention and belief in light overcoming swirling shadow clears minds and opens hearts. Many voices in unity and peaceful expression will bring honor to the man we are here for, and now speak for and about.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">So raise your collars folks. Stormy weather is upon us. The man who is the mirror of souls once boldly sang…”So let the performance start.” It has.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2E6afRhUmE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2E6afRhUmE</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">by Lauren</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">© 2011. All Rights Reserved.<br />
No reproduction without permission from author.</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email </span><a href="mailto:edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com"><span style="color: blue;">edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.</span></span></div>Valmai Owenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091151564750706987noreply@blogger.com0