Next Month, School Will Celebrate Michael

Earlier, you read about the removal of the cover over Michael Jackson’s name on the facade of the Gardner Elementary School auditorium in Hollywood. On October 11, 1989, Michael Jackson unveiled the hall named after him during a ceremony. He had provided substantial financial support to this school, which at the time was a learning center. But in 2003, following a false sexual accusation against him, at the request of parents and guardians, his name was covered. Now, in December, a celebration will be held at this school with the Jackson family in attendance, honoring Michael.

Shortly after Michael’s name was uncovered, a group called SNAP, which defends children who were victims of priests’ sexual abuse, protested this action. The Los Angeles Times covered these people in an article. Now, the head of this group says that after announcing their protest, they faced such a negative public reaction—unprecedented in the 20 years of the group’s activity—that it seems the public’s backlash caused the group to back down. As the New York Times writes:

“Since Michael’s death, a flood of requests to remove the cover over his name has poured in to the school’s administrators. The president of the school’s parent-teacher association said that at the meeting where this issue was raised, all 200 parents welcomed the removal of the cover. The district’s education representative said that removing the cover received no negative reaction. He says:

‘When we bring Mr. Jackson’s name up, we think of musical genius and his services to popular culture. When his name is under cover, we can’t claim that we recognize his legacy.’”

Many students—and especially the younger ones—don’t know why the name was covered in the first place. Shawn Kaplan, a fourth-grade elementary student, says: “Michael Jackson is the best singer in the world. We want to read Thriller and dance in his style.”

Shawn walks with Moonwalk toward the playground. Years ago, Michael planted rose flowers in this playground for the kids.

Source: eMJey / nytimes.com