MJ-Upbeat

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From A Fan 'TO' A Fan

Dara Simms

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There are so many MJ Fans suffering in their own pain right now and MJ-Upbeat would like to post an occasional article from a fan named Dara who most likely shares the same feelings as all of us. Sometimes it's helpful to hear from other's who are suffering like ourselves to know we're not alone.

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MJ-Upbeat will feature Dara's words throughout this trial. This is the most difficult time in Michael's life as it is for his fans. We all are as one traveling this journey together. We will celebrate victory soon......

*New Addition from Dara in second directly below!

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Michael: The Lost Boy of Neverland


    As an African-American woman, I ask myself why is this world so jaded that we have to hate each other instead of loving each other.

Why this world is it so full of ignorant people who judge other people who are different?

For instance, Michael Jackson is one of those misunderstood people who is bashed so harshly by the press, public opinion, and comedians. It doesn't make any sense and it's not fair. For over 40 years, Michael Jackson has spent his entire life in the spotlight. No privacy, no freedom, and sadly no way of knowing what it's like to live like normal people.

I can understand Michael because I know what it feels like to be judged. Though I never walked in his shoes, I can feel the pain he had endured as a child and an adult.

As you know, Michael Jackson is once again in the fight for his life and reputation for the second time. To those who said that he did this to himself why don't you think for a minute and ask why. Maybe because Michael Jackson is that naive and very childlike he can't understand why people would make a fuss over the things he said or do. He's not like most men who prefer butt naked women shaking their boobs or butts in their faces. NO! He had experienced that as a young child when he was performing in night clubs. Why is it whatever Michael says it it's so badly twisted and he's being called a freak, WACKO JACKO, bizarre, unbalanced man or a pedophile? These ignorant fools who said these things don't even know him.

Instead what the media says, voice of public opinion believe what they say. They don't even care how this hurts Michael. He has feelings just like all of us. He once said, "No matter what you do, there's always somebody that will say something about it, they're opinionated you know, no matter what. No matter how well, how good your intentions are there's always some jerk or some mean spirited person that tries to bring you down. All you wanted to do was bring some love and some joy, you know - that's all!"

When the "Living with Michael Jackson" documentary aired last February, there were so much controversy and negative opinions about the program. The news media, talk shows and journalists, and some celebrities had an opinion about Michael, about Martin Bashir, and the program itself. It was ridiculous how people had severe criticizism about Michael's behavior with children. If he was a pedophile, as some people accused him of being, He wouldn't be saying the things he had said. He had always been very opened about his love for children. Some people called it as an obsessive sickness.

I also found it sad how people can say why would parents leave their children at Michael's Neverland Valley Ranch or they would let their children sleep in his bed. Oh please what's wrong with that? When you think of bed, people think of it being sexual. Plus, Michael is always supervised when he with children.

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Though many people, including myself may or may not like it or don't understand, it's not our place to judge. Michael has paid a hard price from the 1993 allegations. Those allegations were never proved.

To some people, when both sides settled the case, it showed admission of Michael's guilt. In my opinion, I believe and still do today, that Michael had been forced to settle the 1993 case. When people would say, why did he settle if he was innocent? Obviously you don't understand what happen because facts from that case never came to the public attention. It forever changed Michael's life and his career.  The media had twisted and manipulated the truth. The accusers just took the money and ran instead of going to court and prove to a jury that Michael was guilty.

The current allegations against Michael will finally give him a chance to prove his innocence in court. I don't know what to think if he's convicted. God knows he would never, ever commit a crime against a child. It's a shame how Michael's being crucified for everything he sais or does and that's not fair.

What do people have against people who are different anyway? I don't know the answer to that.  I think Michael, like so many geniuses of the past and present, is misunderstood and of course eccentric, which I don't think there's anything wrong with that. 

He's not the only celebrity who had been victimized by the press.  It's a sad world we live in.

If Michael is found innocent, which I hope he will be, the word "pedophile" will sadly be hanging on Michael for the rest of his life. As a fan, I hurt with him. These current allegations has ruined and hurt his image.

How can people be so cruel and evil to this wonderful man is something I will never understand? He has helped not just children, but so many people. Sadly because of his misunderstood lifestyle, there are always judgmental people whether it's the media, the public, or an outsider who has an unfair negative opinion about Michael Jackson. My hearts and prayers continue to go out to Michael and his family. I know and understand that this ordeal has hurt them and I hope justice will prevail when the truth comes out. I honestly hope when or if Michael prevails in court, He will be more cautious, but to keep his distance from children to avoid another scandal.

There's no doubt he is one of the most controversial figures, but he is and will always will be the King of Pop, the world's greatest entertainer, and a gifted humanitarian. Michael Jackson continues to maintain his innocence and I am with him to the end. How he will be remembered remains to be seemed. The media has unfairly portrayed him as an eccentric, pedophile weirdo. That's a damn shame and not everyone really knows him.  Michael Jackson is simply Michael Jackson. He's very different, naive, but I see as him a good person, very misunderstood, loving, caring, and a giving human being.

Dara. A. Simms

 

Below: A quote From Michael Jackson:


"I hope that they will always focus on the positive things, on the sacrifices I willingly made for them, and not criticize the things they had to give up, or the errors I've made, and will certainly continue to make, in raising them. For we have all been someone's child, and we know that despite the very best of plans and efforts, mistakes will always occur. That's just being human."

-Michael Jackson

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If your feelings are like Dara's and you would like to talk, please email her below:

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[email protected]

 

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March 22, 2005

Michael Jackson: A Survivor will live on

    Michael Jackson had survived more hatred and bad press over the years that is why I think of him as a survivor. But now Michael is facing his biggest fight for his career, reputation, and his life. Outrageous Charges of Improper Conduct with a Minor has once again brought out on Michael. This time, Michael, his family, supporters, and his fans are ready to fight. This personal, deep essay is my tribute to king of pop because I loved him and I believe 1000% of his innocence. 

The year of 2003 has been a turbulence year for Michael Jackson. In February 2003, Michael was betrayal by the controversial documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" by a British journalist named Martin Bashir. I thought the documentary was totally unfair and I feel sympathy for Michael. Now, Michael is once again targeted on new allegations of child molestation.

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It was 10 years ago, when Michael Jackson was once accused and now it has return. For years, Michael Jackson had been an easy target by the press. When his appearance began to change, the press started questioning. Michael Jackson is a very shy person and he sometimes refused to do interviews, fearing journalists would not be fair with him. So the media starts coming up with their stories. Outrageous stories about Michael's personal life. They said his behavior is bizarre. They called him a freak that had too much plastic surgery. They called him "Wacko Jacko" because his lifestyle and personality is eccentric. He's a bad father because the baby dangling incident. They said he's a pedophile who lures young children for sex at his home, Neverland Valley Ranch. He sleeps in a hyper baric chamber, he wants to buy the remains of the Elephant Man, he bleached his skin because he did not want to be black anymore, or he enjoys sleeping with young boys. These stories are ridiculous and totally false.

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Why do people like to pick on Michael Jackson?

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It's simple. They are totally jealous of him. They don't understand him. They feel that writing negative stuff is the only way to sell their newspapers/magazines and to boost TV ratings. Of course some of the public believes in all the lies.  I never met Michael or know him personally, but I do know him through his music. He spent his whole life in the spotlight as the lead singer of the Jackson 5. But it was during the 80s when Michael Jackson began an international megastar. His album, Thriller became the biggest selling album in the history of music. His charity song, "We are the World" was an anthem to help fight hunger in Africa and was the biggest selling single of all time. Michael Jackson is one of the most gifted and greatest humanitarians who donated millions to charities and help the lives of so many children around the world. Sadly, the press never reported this. It a shame how Michael Jackson is been treated or judged by his looks and personal life instead of his music or his humanitarian works. No living legend has suffered more hate and bashing than Michael Jackson has.

People judged him because don't understand him. Society is so narrow minded that I don't understand why people think Michael Jackson is weird or bizarre. He maybe a little naive to some, but he hasn't done anything wrong to be treated like that. When Michael said on the documentary that he had shared his bedroom with children, people think it's inappropriate for a grown man to sleep with children. There's has been a terrible misunderstanding.

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Can we have a priority check here? First of all, Michael did not say he slept in the bed with a child. He gives the child the bed and he sleeps on the floor. Is it illegal to have children stay in your bedroom. Hell No! Most people who have sick minds think of sex. Michael's mind is not about sex, but sweet and innocent.  He just been childlike not childish. His childhood was spent touring the world and making music. Adults want something out of Michael, but children do not. It's like Michael is being force to be different. People twist his love for children. There are so many children out there who are being abused, starved, or neglected. Nobody cares about that. But they care about destroying Michael and bring him down.

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There's another problem in Michael's life. When Michael's skin color began to change, the press and the public accused him of bleaching his skin. When Michael finally reveal that the skin discoloration called Vitiligo was the cause of his skin color changed, people still didn't believe him. On February 17, 2003, NBC's Dateline aired a program called Michael Jackson Unmasked. This tabloid show claim Michael had dozen of plastic surgeries. I was so outrage that this program had to air about Michael's plastic surgery. Michael said he had plastic surgery only his nose twice. Who the hell cares how much surgery Michael had? That's his decision.  It's not fair people pick on him when there are other celebrities who had more facelifts. It's nobody business what Michael does with his own body.

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People need to stop criticizing Michael for his looks and accept him for who he is. Michael Jackson had some good things that happen in 2003. In April, he showed the world his "Private Home Movies, a wonderful, positive program narrated by the king of pop himself. In June, for the first time in over 20 years, Michael return home to his hometown, Gary, Indiana and was honor by the major of Gary and a warm homecoming from family, friends, and fans. On August 29, Michael Jackson turned 45 years old. Fans and fan clubs around the world gave him a special Celebration of Love Birthday Party.

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Michael Jackson was doing fine and happy until November 18, 2003. On the day his greatest hit CD was due to be release, a nightmare has come back to haunted Michael.  The Police Department of Santa Barbara, California issued a search warrant by another allegation of misconduct against a child. The police and the press had once again seek their revenge against Michael. They arrested him two days later and about a month later charged him with multiple counts of child molestation. I was so angry, hurt, and outrage at these unfounded allegations. What worse the press shows the whole world that Michael Jackson was in handcuffs and shows his mug shot.  Michael had repeated denies these charges and continues to maintain his innocence.

The love and support for Michael from his fans, supporters are so strong. Sadly, there is the ignorance of people who left hate messages on fan sites. It hurt when people will pass judgment on Michael, but I refused to let them bring me down. I'm not ashamed of being a fan of Michael Jackson. I know who he is. I know he is innocent. It is now 2005. The year were victory will be declared.  But things will get better in do time.

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As Michael Jackson begins the fight to prove his innocence, the fans are behind him 1000%. There's no doubt even when Michael is proving innocent, the American press and some of the public will still think Michael is a pedophile. After all the pain and suffering Michael has endured during the past 20 years after the Thriller era ended, Michael has maintain his dignity to survived. Nevertheless, I do wonder how Michael Jackson will be portrayed when that time comes when he's gone from this earth. I wish I could protect him from the hurtful comments being said about him.

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Everyone does have his or her own opinion about Michael, whether positive or negative. The only problem with those who think of him in a negative light is that they don't really know him. The press had misrepresented Michael by saying these ridiculous comments about him. I had never heard from the press that he helped so many people including children. His own children, Prince, Paris, and little Blanket will endured so much when they get older. I know Michael is a good, wonderful father and he's protecting them the best way he can. He loves his children and he loves all the children of the world. He would never harm or do anything inappropriate with a child. It's not in his heart. I want to say this too. He's still a black man. I wish black people (some of them) would stop questioning his race. He cannot control his skin disease. It's a pain Michael had to deal with, the changing of his skin color. He's not a freak. He's not Jack the Ripper. He's not wacko, maybe little eccentric and naive, and he's not crazy.

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I hope when this horrible trial is finally over, he will be vindicated and acquitted. For over 40 years, Michael Jackson has become one of the world's most famous celebrities. To many he is known as a controversy figure. To those who know him, he's a shy, caring, loving, and understanding person, human being. To the fans and young artists who idolize him, he's an icon, a legend, and a gifted humanitarian and entertainer. He's also one of the most misunderstood geniuses out there.  These allegations had hurt Michael's image, but I know Michael will have the strength to survive and move forward. The one thing I admired about him is that he's keeps going.

No matter how much the press tries to bring him down, he will never give up. He's stronger than ever. He's brave, enigma, giving, and very down to earth. I will always be there for Michael Jackson. I would love to meet him someday. Until that happens, I pray he will be found innocent of these unfounded allegations and that he will be able to finally live his life in peace. Michael Jackson will always live on forever in hearts of everyone he touch. He will always be the King of Pop. He's a great man, very powerful and vulnerable, different, and very misunderstood.,

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Love Always, Dara Amina Simms
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All my love you all and God Bless us all!

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If your feelings are like Dara's and you would like to talk, please email her below:

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[email protected]

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June 27, 2004
Updated April 14, 2005

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Greetings to you,

About a year ago, I took the time and wrote this piece about Michael. I updated to share my feelings and how today, it affects me and how I think the future will affect Michael.

Why and how do I think Michael Jackson will become a Survivor?

It is too early to say how Michael Joseph Jackson would be remembered when his time comes. His legendary image had been taint by the controversies, scandals, and outrageous attacks from the press. Since the Thriller era ended when Michael was the King of the 80's, his reputation was forever change because of issues surrounding his personal and professional life.

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I know because I grew up following his career and listening to his music; However, I watch and heard the unfair comments from the press and voice of public opinion.

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Whatever Michael Jackson says or does, it is so badly twisted and taking completely out of context. Why do people say he is strange, weird or a freak? Why is his issues so bizarre that the press and the public want to hang him for everything he does that inappropriate?

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I witness a lot of bad behavior from kids to adults. Unfortunately, people seem to forget that Michael Jackson is a human being, a misunderstood, naïve, vulnerable, eccentric man. Regards that people said he's very eccentric, to me, I somewhat see him that way, Although, I don't know him personal, his issues don't consider me because I never walk in his shoes and it's not my part to judge him.

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The world is not ready for Michael Jackson's kindness. Only thing that misunderstood about Michael is that he is different. Is he to blame for being different? HELL NO ! We are all different. He has issues and has a trouble life just like any other human being. I guess his hard work since the age of five in show business had shelter him from the real world. I think that stress and hard work affect him hard as an adult. I admire his childlikeness because I feel like a child myself at times. In silent, he suffered a dysfunctional childhood, fail relationships with friends or other people who were in his life, a devastating skin disease, and of course the highs and lows of being in the public eye. That's why he is so opened on certain things that could had been keep private, but it's hard for him to have a private life. I finally understand this and how in the past why I had misjudged him.

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What hurt me more is that how the media act like Michael Jackson is a bizarre man who has a sick love for children. Why do you think he hasn't commit suicide yet? Have you ever grown up with him? Why criticize him because his behavior or his statements that seems inappropriate to outside world.

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I would say to Michael, you ain't missing anything in this cruel, pathetic normal world. It seems to me people rather questioned about his character and behavior rather than enjoy and embrace his talents and his humanitarian works. No person other than Princess Diana has touched the lives of so many people like Michael Jackson.

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For Michael, who is on trial for his life, the most painful heartache of his life now is that most people will not remember him as the shy cute little boy from the Jackson 5 or the megastar who win our hearts with Thriller, but a controversy figure and a twice accused child molester. Its unfair and a shame that he being crucify for being himself. When he is gone, those who think of ihim in a negative light should be a shame. They think they know him. I do and I thank God for that because he will always be a legend, an icon, and the world's greatest entertainer and humanitarian. But in my words and in the words of those who know him, He will be the survivor. People thought he was weak, but his stronger, People thought he was through, but he will be back. The media thought he was going too self-destructed, but he will get through, learn from his mistakes, and fight back against injustice.

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Only God can judge him, because he's knows the truth

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Dara Amina Simms

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If your feelings are like Dara's and you would like to talk, please email her below:

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[email protected]

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Contact MJ-Upbeat at: [email protected]