Michael Jackson - Leaving Neverland documentary

I just want to mention that the lack of emotion when describing abuse is very common among abuse victims - it’s a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder, called ‘flattened’ or reduced affect.

It’s a coping mechanism, basically. As is denial, and even cracking jokes and laughter that seems inappropriate.

Trauma messes up people’s normal emotional reactions.

I think they can. These men could be prosecuted for perjury and their parents for child neglect.

But in the USA nothing surprises me anymore, as most things seem to be based on and judged by emotion. Look at all the actions and bans now, when someone says something publicly or makes a movie and the person being accused isn't even there to defend himself. It will get very easy to ruin someone's career or legacy that way. Or any competitor for that matter. Here in Europe we seem to be a bit more grounded. Because in the end, this is a he says/he says case without any legal consequences for Michael (only the men and their families could face charges). And until now, the legal system doesn't have anything to do at all with this documentary and this fuss. I mean, look at the Jussie Smollett case, when things started to become clear, there was a huge group of people denying it and calling it victim blaming. It's up to a judge to decide, after a very elaborate investigation. 

Also, this case is very unique in the sense that these boys and their families were blinded by fame and fortune and the world's biggest star was involved, who is now dead, for 10 years. They even lied on the stand because of it. Their conclusions shifted multiple times. So all these unique aspects make it very different from just a "we need to warn people, that's why we make a movie and look for media attention" or a "personal process to accept it better".

The Jackson estate wouldn’t go near perjury charges (even if it was possible, as statute of limitations likely wouldn’t allow for it in any case). The Jackson family would need to then prove that the men’s earlier evidence was accurate and the revised statements untrue, Given the chances of others coming forward in light of renewed publicity they will lay low and just hope it doesn’t go further.

Suing would be counterproductive though - if they want the truth to come out now they can’t punish victims for telling the truth now even if they lied before. Especially if they lied before.

These were not the only two who said that nothing happened, after all.

Anyone notice a rather strange facial similarity between that of Wade's wife and one era of Jackson's appearance?

No, it was Michael's fault and nobody else's. They may have unintentionally made it easier for him but powerful people will always find a way to abuse if that is what they want to do and ease of access isn't something that would stop them. Just look at R Kelly who had his team go and fetch underage girls for him from schools and malls while their parents tried to limit access to no avail.

No, they're not blameless, they made some incorrect decisions and that's pretty indisputable. But saying the abuse of their children was their fault doesn't sit right with me. Wade says in the doc that Michael took another child into the bathroom during the daytime. Even if the children hadn't been allowed to stay overnight with him, they would have still been abused.

And honestly, none of us know what it would be like to be in the situation of these families and while we may all want to believe we'd act perfectly and not give in to any of the seductions of his fame, power and manipulation, it is not really possible for us to know that. It's very easy for people to watch the doc and say 'I would never' about many things. I would never leave my kids alone with him, I would never travel the world to be with him, I would never lie in court about being abused etc. And yet, as far as I know, there are no reports of any parents refusing Michael access to their children, at least before the first accusations happened. So it was just a coincidence that all the families he found had terrible parents? Unlikely. More likely it's a lot easier to be seduced and manipulated by these things than we think. That's why the total honesty of these families is so important, rather than hiding the decisions they made and trying to shift the blame. 

What's interesting is, alot of things I've heard from people and read actually isn't Michael or the two men, it is the parents that are causing new discussion and debate.

Also, I don't know why this only just popped into my mind, but are both men not facing legal action at all for lying in court or perverting the course of justice? As both of their testimonies, particularly Wade's in court, are considered strong reasons why he got away with the alleged actions. I'm not wishing them to get any legal action, I'm just intrigued.

The more I look, the weirder it gets...

Went shopping yesterday and heard an MJ song start to play in one of the shops I entered. It felt really awkward to me, idk how everybody else felt.
Then I went into the shop next door, and The Jackson 5 came on! Argh!! Separating art from artist in this instance really is gonna be a tough one.

I was a huge MJ fan and still love a lot of his music. But having just watched part one, too much of what these men are saying matches what his other accusers have said in regards to the pattern of behaviour and how the children and family were drawn into MJs world. Of course, they might be lying but I don’t see what they could gain from this is worth it.

I agree, I actually thought, watching the documentary, this really isn't the best place for him to be sharing this information because of how emotional but also uncomfortable he clearly is. Wade is used to press and media, for example, when leaving the court after this testimony in 2005, he was laughing and joking in front of cameras, he's used to the exposure, whereas it felt very comfortable and real with James. If these accusations are indeed true, I hope he finds peace eventually or at least a way to get through the pain.