jamilah Watches Leaving Neverland

(RECORDED MARCH 10, 2018)  First This Is It and now Leaving Neverland...  We must note that this was recorded directly after watching the full four hours, plus the Winfrey interview...  While we gather people would be aware of this, we must reiterate that the majority of the audio here is based on views/opinions.  Just like a majority of the people who have something to say, neither one of us personally knew Michael Jackson.  Anything we say is going to be based on personal perspectives, as well as our experiences in relation to him.  You as a listener (ESPECIALLY if you personally knew the man) have every right to disagree.  It must also be noted that, because the response was directly after watching the film, there were many points of discovery missed.  There were many things jamilah wrote in her notes while watching it, and still forgot to discuss in this episode (major glaring example:  when Safechuck's mother stated that she was willing to "share" her son with Michael Jackson.  Even if you agree that these men were abused by MJ, that had to have sent some flags up). 

From our first episode we stated that we would cover controversial matters; this may be one of the most controversial, given that the very existence of Leaving Neverland is leading people to blindly demonize or lionize Michael Jackson.  This episode does neither, though it may be looked at as such...  Depending on your views.

jamilah processed the film for weeks after watching it, and felt an alienating sadness.  Jesse/Jester, while not having watched it, felt the same.  While the film confirmed many critiques had about Michael Jackson (spoken about in several of out episodes- only amplified here), it does not take away our love and appreciation for him.  In a society which supports/encourages reactionary behavior (on both ends) and idol worship, any nuanced conversation regarding Michael Jackson gets placed in the background.  As of this writing, there are still major developments regarding the inconsistencies of the information disseminated in Leaving Neverland, thanks to director Dan Reed's consistent admission that he did no research on Michael Jackson (which he actually stated just as openly during the Winfrey interview); there are also public dated records which contradict the narratives of Safechuck and Robson. 

Leaving Neverland ultimately was an Electronic Press Kit for Wade Robson, who (especially at this point) is seen as unreliable in the industry he's employed in. He needs a job. He is more or less 'joined at the hip' to Michael Jackson; the man defined Robson's whole life.  Given that Michael Jackson is no longer physically here, he can no longer rely on that train to ride smoothly for him.  It's as if Wade Robson never had to work for anything, because MJ provided everything for him.  Now...  he actually has to, and judging from his own writings, he had a nervous breakdown because the work was too hard for him.  Given his requests to direct MJ-related projects were rejected, the end of his lifeline became evident.  Thus, we have Leaving Neverland:  The Wade Robson Story, with James Safechuck more or less as a guest star.

Narcissists (of which we think Wade Robson fits the description to a t) don't particularly like to work at anything.  Not only was Leaving Neverland an examination of Michael Jackson's emotional and psychological state (in jamilah's view); it was also the examination of a narcissist.  THAT is where the documentary lies.

As with all of our episodes, please listen with an open mind.

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