I know, we've all heard or read the stories of mean 'ole' Joe Jackson, the menacing patriarch of the Jackson clan, who "traumatized" his children into becoming the greatest family entertainment franchise since the Bachs of the Baroque period. This Arkansas native whose own children never referred to him as father or dad "terrorized" them so, that they could only find "refuge" in worldwide fame and untold wealth. Joseph Jackson is a man so "disturbed" that he actually raised a son with such compassion that his charity work makes Angelina Jolie look like Leona Helmsly. As if that isn't "bad" enough "Monster Joe" actually stood by his late son's side (and vigorously defended him), along with his entire "dysfunctional" family, every single day of those infamous child molestation allegations and trials (for which he was cleared of all charges). So what in the world am I doing thanking this "beast?"Flawed, I have absolutely no doubt that Mr. Jackson is very much so. In fact, I have no doubt that some of the late Michael Joseph Jackson's questionable behavior and identity issues are rooted in his strained relationship with his father. After all, our identity and validation comes directly from our fathers. I have no doubt that there was a longing in the heart of the late superstar, possibly common to all of his siblings in which he desired a deeper, more intimate, relationship for which he may have never experienced. However, may I suggest when we think of the Joe Jacksons of the world, perhaps we should look at them in the whole, as oppose to the filtered pieces we've been fed.
I am no Joe Jackson biographer, but, it doesn't take a genius to know that Joseph Jackson is a hard man, molded by even harder times. This is not uncommon for men of his age, especially Black men born, like Joe Jackson, in the deep South (Arkansas). As a father, one can only assume he did what he knew. It is very likely his father was just like him, in fact, he might have been worse. But, there is also that glaring factor about being Black in the Western Hemisphere we seldom ever acknowledge; you have to be twice as good to get just as much. Such factors, in addition to a multitude of others, particularly during that time might have led to some overzealous parenting. However, such factors have also produced many great legacies as well; much like the one for which we celebrate and mourn at this very hour. We know gold is purified by way of severe heat, diamonds are produced via intense pressure, and butterflies come forth only by way of painful metamorphosis, yet, we seem bewildered that genius like that of the Gloved One was rooted and forged in such a manner. "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights.*" Michael's is hardly a life to be mourned or pitied. In more ways than the obvious it can be envied. How many wannabes, should be's and could have beens are living lives far beneath their worth because they never had a father committed to their perfection? It is clear, flaws and all, there would be no Michael Jackson or Jackson legacy had there been no Joseph Jackson to mold them. One of the great paradoxes of fatherhood is that, no matter how well intentioned your chastening, you run the risk of incurring the wrath of your children.
Perhaps it was that boyish voice, his almost painfully, demure, personality, or his slight and sometimes frail physique that might have caused us to look upon the late King of Pop, as a timid and tortured man-child yearning for a childhood he supposedly never knew. But, a second and unmystified glance will certainly grant a rather vivid reality, that our favorite Peter Pan was as fierce as Captain Hook. Every ounce of the Michael Jackson brand was diligently and carefully crafted, and maintained via a monk like discipline. From the stage, to the mystique, to the boardroom, by all accounts (and some commonsense observation) Michael Jackson was a force to be reckoned with, hardly the wilting flower we were so thoroughly convinced to believe he was. No matter what Hollywood tells you, genius is no accident. Even the most divinely gifted need cultivation.
Joseph Jackson's imperfections may very well exceed anything we can ever know, but I haven't a doubt in my mind, he loved Michael Jackson and continues to love his children. Despite himself, 'ole' Joe had to do something right, as did the fathers of such luminaries as, Michelle Obama, Prince, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Beyonce Knowles, Venus and Serena Williams, the Winans family, Roy Jones, Jr., Kobe Bryant, Ervin "Magic" Johnson, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., among a great many others. Every single one of these icons (and icons to be), including the Jacksons, cite their fathers as the reason for their success; and despite the various degrees of those relationships (some better than others), they have all unanimously declared that they would not change a thing. In an age which applauds the chastisement of dead beat Black fathers from the likes of Bill Cosby, President Obama, and of course every other ranting and moralizing Conservative (as if the African American community has a patent on degenerate fatherhood), I think it only fitting that the same zeal be applied to applauding those Black fathers who have produced some of our nation's greatest and most revered icons, and that includes Joseph Jackson.
*Proverbs 3:12
Copyright 2009 Johnathan L. Iverson Baptiste
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