I'll weigh in now, too, not that it's that compelling. I plan on voting for Thriller, Billie Jean, etc. as normal, assuming even the worst. Basically my all-time song and album lists have him and other 1982 artists all lined up for their respective rankings. I can't tell other people how to feel about MJ, and I don't think there is necessarily a "right" way to approach this. In fact, assuming the worst, I think of it as a horrid decision either way. I guess I ruled that I am stuck liking the songs that I've already liked for so long, and stuck evaluating musicians like it's a talent show without regard to how horrible they may or may not be offstage. I don't definitely know that MJ is a molester (not that it's looking good). I haven't seen Leaving Neverland -- although it seems to have accomplished what years' and decades' worth of accusations could not, and change public opinion about him (see also R. Kelly and Surviving R. Kelly).
As far as how I might personally relate to underage sex abuse, I don't personally know anyone who has experienced it. I work at the juvenile bureau of a prosecution office, and lately chances are that sometime during the week, I'm going over audio and/or video regarding cases where kids have been molested (by slightly older kids, who have sometimes been molested themselves). I'm going to have a daughter this summer, and I think it's horrid that in a matter of years, I'll have to start thinking to an extent about her being potential prey.
As you might imagine, MJ has had some defenders. For what it's worth, here are a couple:
Jackson Family Members Speak Out Against ‘Leaving Neverland’ Doc: ‘It’s About the Money’
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... oc-801258/
Instagram post by rapper T.I.
Just to ruin everyone's day (and I'm sure this isn't the only article like this out there, even if we're not quite talking about little boys or girls)“Let this man speak for himself to defend his legacy,” T.I. writes in the caption. “Don’t just listen to one side and expect to find truth. Oh that’s right… Dead men can’t speak. So what was the point again? Destroy another strong black historical LEGEND?!?! It’s several examples of pedophilia in American History… if y’all pulling up all our old shit… we gotta examine ELVIS PRESLEY, HUGH HEPHNER, and a whole slew of others guilty of the same if not more!!! BUT WHY US all the time? There’s an agenda to destroy OUR CULTURE.”
11 Rock Stars Who Allegedly Slept With Underage Girls
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/1 ... ls-7980930