An interview with Metro International featuring Michael Jackson fans

He broke racial boundaries and, as one of the first African-American American singers, achieved enormous success. He was one of the first stars to help financially and support efforts to fight AIDS worldwide. In 2000, the Guinness World Records book registered his name as the kindest pop star in the world. His charity organization, “Heal the World,” has so far provided free counseling services to 3,000 people, 7,000 children have used the organization’s medical services, and more than 72,000 young people in the state of California have been trained to fight addiction. The organization also supports and provides aid to children in countries affected by war and looting around the world. Alongside these activities, Michael Jackson has helped charities around the world with more than $300 million, including the United Negro College Fund, Childhelp USA (a U.S. children’s aid organization), the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Michael has also donated financially to charities helping people with skin diseases such as lupus and vitiligo. Michael is on the road to returning. Public response to his concerts this summer in London has been unprecedented. It has been said that in one second, 11 tickets for these concerts were sold. So now the question is: how could that be? Even Tom Cruise had a hard time getting back to the good position he previously had among the public. The only mistake he made was jumping around on a couch during a live TV show. Although Michael Jackson has always been targeted by negative media coverage, he has a strong, massive, organized fortress made up of devoted fans who look at the media with skepticism. Quotes from his fans: "Usually when we do interviews with the media, they present our words differently." This is what Deborah Danley, the manager of one of Michael Jackson fansites, MJFC, says. She runs the site from her home in Texas. "The media likes to portray Michael Jackson fans as a bunch of clueless people who do nothing but follow Michael Jackson around the world. He has a very kind heart. Unfortunately, sometimes he’s too kind. Some fans love his music. Others are fans who are in awe of his fame and credibility in the music industry. And finally, some love him for who he is—not for his traits. What he has personally done for his fans, charities, and people around the world is probably more than what any other celebrity could even imagine doing." Another fan says he isn’t very willing to talk to the media because: "I’ve heard everything the media says about us Michael Jackson fans. Fans always try to find rational explanations for our interest in this man when talking to the media. Why can’t we simply just love him? Why can’t the reason be only love—love for himself, his music, his legacy, and the person he is? Because all of these things are phenomena. The media can’t understand that, and that’s why they call us crazy and obsessive." Another fan says: "Tell the world that these tickets say everything by themselves. The King will shine. He’s still blazing." Source: eMJey / Metro International