I just had a thought. Literally, five minutes ago I had the most interesting, and slightly disturbing, thought regarding Halloween culture. Really it was a question about something that has been essential to Halloween pop-culture since 1982. What is Halloween without Michael Jackson’s Thriller?
Why ask this question? Well, because in a post Leaving Neverland world it has become taboo in some circles (probably a lot of circles) to play Michael Jackson music, were Michael Jackson paraphernalia, or even discuss his talent outside of the horror of the accusations against him. AND for as long as I can remember (and I was born in 1981), Thriller has been a part of my Halloween experience and the Halloween experiences of children and adults around the world. The epic 45-minute mini-movie has been viewed by millions of people the night of, or week of Halloween for decades as a way to usher in the holiday and praise the playful genius of the deceased King of Pop.
In a February cultural critique of Jackson post Leaving Neverland in the online pop-culture magazine UPROXX, writer Steven Hyden (2019) asks a similar, but more general, question:
“Of the many questions that Leaving Neverland leaves you with, the most pressing is, What do I do now? It will be 10 years this June that Jackson has been dead. It is no longer possible to pursue legal remedies for his crimes, as it is with R. Kelly, or to de-platform him, as is the case with Ryan Adams. We are, unfortunately, a long way from 1993” (Hayden).
- Image by janeb13 from Pixaby
In the aftermath of Leaving Neverland should we, would we, could we continue to listen to or watch Thriller as part of our Halloween experience? Some would argue no, but haven’t we been here before? In the early 1990s the King of Pop was investigated for child abuse and sex crimes against a minor, and simultaneously made it on the top 100 pop music charts with three songs. What’s more, is that there was a second trial in 2005, and again, he was acquitted. Anyone fifteen and older in 2005 can remember the uncomfortable press conference video released by Jackson of his describing the probe of his home and his genitals. The sadness and embarrassment displayed in his face made one’s heart ache. At his death in 2009, he was memorialized by thousands and laid to rest in style. While people abhorred the idea of him being a sexual predator, they still bought tickets to his concerts, his music, and wore his likeness on their bodies. The juxtaposition of public opinion about his alleged sexual appetite and musical genius are jarring. That is, until Leaving Neverland.
So, what do we do? I cannot bring myself to watch Leaving Neverland, though I’ve known for years that he was, as some would say, “not quite right,” In the past, I didn’t immediately fall in either camp (hate or love). During the first trial, I didn’t know who to believe, and I admit that, in the 90s and early 2000s, my view of the world was very Black vs. White. The black community had very specific suspicions about white people who claimed to have been victimized by black people. There are historical precedents for this wariness to believe. Nevertheless, as I got older, I began to believe the victims, and limited my opinions and purchases of anything MJ, BUT…I still listened to his music, if it came on the radio, and I had purchased at least one cassette (yes, I said cassette and it was SCREAM, because I loved Janet), and I would faithfully watch the 45-minute mini-movie Thriller every Halloween along with thousands of other across the nation.
His music transcended color lines and his career was a testament to hard work, talent, and connections. However, what was missing in the 90’s was the richness of social media, the success of private networks and streaming services providing undiluted content, and an industry people willing to take a risk with their careers and the hearts of people who have loved this man-turned-idol for decades. Whether we believe the accusations or not, we will all have to make a decision this Halloween and Halloweens in the future: to listen or watch or begin a new post-MJ tradition.
A Safe Space 