Death of Michael Jackson

There are two things to say about him. He was a musical genius; and he was an abused child.

By abuse, I do not mean sexual abuse; I mean he was used brutally and callously for money, and clearly imprisoned by a tyrannical father. He had no real childhood and spent much of his later life struggling to get one. He was spiritually and psychologically raped at a very early age - and never recovered. Watching him change his race, his age, and almost his gender, you saw a tortured soul seeking what the rest of us take for granted: a normal life.

I well remember the hysterical welcome when the Jackson's produced the song "Ben", quickly to be dashed when it was publicised that "Ben" referred to a rat! Well I have had some "ben's" in my time!

Again to be critical, what martyrs we make of our iconic hero's and heroines, with this weekend marking the 40th anniversary of the blessed Judy's death! The 24/7 news has gone haywire with some of the comments at best being fatuous and worse insulting to a memory. Let's remember him in our own way. Celebrating his creative nature and undoubted talents, but learning from his victimhood.