Haunted by the Ghost of Michael Jackson

Key takeaways

Michael Jackson's cultural influence is unparalleled, shaping music, dance, and popular culture on a foundational level.
Allegations of abuse against Jackson have dramatically altered public perception, but his legacy remains complex and deeply rooted in society.
Society faces difficult questions about justice, memory, and morality when it comes to beloved figures accused of wrongdoing, especially after their death.
Living with unresolved trauma and conflicting feelings is an inevitable part of grappling with cultural icons like Michael Jackson.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of acknowledging uncomfortable truths while appreciating the cultural contributions of influential figures.

Summary

The Cultural Impact and Legacy of Michael Jackson

This section explores Michael Jackson's profound influence on music and popular culture. Wesley Morris reflects on his childhood admiration for Jackson, highlighting the significance of Jackson's contributions to dance and music, such as the moonwalk and his groundbreaking sound. Despite the allegations, Jackson's artistic legacy remains massive and intertwined with American cultural identity. Morris discusses the difficulty of separating Jackson's music and influence from the accusations of abuse, emphasizing that Jackson's impact extends beyond his personal life and is embedded in the fabric of society.

The Revelations of the HBO Documentary 'Leaving Neverland' and Personal Reckoning

Wesley Morris delves into his personal experience of watching the documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' which recounts sexual abuse allegations against Jackson from two men who were children at the time. Initially willing to maintain a neutral stance, Morris admits that the film's detailed testimonies are damaging, altering his perception of Jackson. He discusses his efforts to abstain from Jackson's music as a response, and how pervasive Jackson's songs are in public spaces, complicating his attempt to disconnect. The section examines the societal challenge of addressing allegations against revered icons and the difficulty in processing conflicting feelings of admiration and betrayal.

The Complexities of Justice, Memory, and Cultural Continuity

This section considers the broader cultural and moral questions raised by Jackson's legacy. Morris argues that because Jackson is deceased, traditional avenues of justice—criminal prosecution or canceling his influence—are no longer possible. Instead, society must learn to live with the contradictions: loving Jackson's art while acknowledging the troubling allegations. He points out that this unresolved tension reflects larger issues of accountability, trauma, and collective memory, emphasizing that we as a society need to hold space for both the greatness of Jackson’s contributions and the dark truths revealed about his life.

Show notes

This week, “The Daily” is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened since the stories first ran. Today, we talk to our critic about his reckoning with abuse allegations against Michael Jackson and his efforts to abstain from the pop star’s music. Ten months later, he shares why he still has a Shazam feed full of Jackson’s hits — and reflects on what the ubiquity Jackson’s music in public reveals about our society. Guest: Wesley Morris, a critic at large for The Times and a host of the podcast “Still Processing.” For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

This episode contains descriptions of abuse.

Background coverage:

Read Wesley Morris’s piece about confronting his own fandom in the face of the allegations made against Michael Jackson in “Leaving Neverland,” an HBO documentary.
We look at Jackson’s history of sexual abuse accusations, and answer some questions about why child abuse victims often take years to come forward.
A musical about the pop star’s life is set to open in New York next summer. Because of Jackson’s fierce fan base, the show’s producers are confident tickets will sell.
Listen to the hosts of “Still Processing” discuss how to respond to a problematic artist whose influence has so thoroughly permeated modern culture.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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