4 The Hampton Roads Messenger
Volume 3 Number 10
July 2009
Editorial
You are cordially invited to attend...
City Council meetings...
Michael Jackson’s Legacy
Norfolk - regular meetings are held on the first and fourth Tuesday at
7:00 p.m. and the second and third Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
Anger is an adult emotion. Jackson did
Chesapeake - regular meetings are held on the second, third and
not appear to be emotionally mature,
fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
although he was 50 years old when he
died.
Newport News - regular business meetings are held on the second
Something good can come out of the
and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.
tragedy of Jackson’s untimely demise.
Suffolk - regular meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday
Perhaps he will be the last person,
who was a child star, that has to suffer
of each month at 7:00 p.m.
for the rest of his life because he was
Hampton - typically take place on the second and fourth Wednesday
pimped by the entertainment industry.
of every month at 7:30 p.m.
As a child, Michael Jackson made a
lot of money for a lot of people and
Virginia Beach - meets on the first four Tuesdays of each month.
those people are alive and well today.
BY angela Jones
In July the meetings are scheduled on the first two Tuesdays only.
Jackson is not the first child star to
Formal session begins at 6 p.m.
Whether you like him or not, the
become a victim of his circumstances.
one thing that is evident by Michael
Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, Lindsey
Portsmouth - meeting dates are the second and fourth Tuesday of
Jackson’s death is that he is indeed the
Lohan, and Brittany and Jamie Lynn
each month at 7:00 p.m.
King of Pop. “Pop music” is defined as
Spears are just a few of the child actors
a piece of music having popular appeal.
who have had trouble adjusting to their
The term was first used in 1926 and
fame and fortune. Where are the laws
became more widely used in the 1950’s
that should protect these children from
to describe a softer alternative to rock
being exploited by Hollywood and/or
‘n’ roll music; a more commercial form
their parents? One biographer described
of music. Based on the millions of
a scene of Jackson being dragged onto
grieving fans that have begun buying
a plane kicking and screaming at the
Jackson’s music and memorabilia,
age of twelve because he had a fear of
Jackson is the King of Pop. Could
flying; however, the show must go on.
Jackson’s death and popularity be used
Children at least deserve the right to
to save other children?
be children, if nothing else. There are
Jackson is so popular that the same
some things that are more important
media which vilified him when he
than money. Are the authorities and
was alive is also trying to capitalize
legislators looking the other way
on his death by showing program
while child stars are being emotionally
after program about his tragic life and
abused as they are pressured to provide
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing
premature death.
a plush lifestyle for adults? While fans
over and over again and expecting a different result.
may think child celebrities are cute or
... It’s insane to not advertise in the Messenger.
Thrust into the spotlight at the age of have beautiful voices, someone should
ten, as a member of The Jackson 5, be thinking about the welfare of the
Jackson did not have the opportunity child. Someone should be thinking
Call 757-575-1863
to participate in the activities that most about what child celebrities will have
children take for granted. As a result of to face after the curtain closes and there
his unusual upbringing, Jackson seemed is no more applause.
to never be happy with who he was. He
had multiple surgeries on his face and
One may have noticed how Jackson
no one, including dermatologists, can
shielded his children from the spotlight
quite put a finger on what disease turns
by dressing them in masks or placing
black people white.
towels over their head to protect them
from the ever present watchful eyes of
Despite all of the fame, money and the paparazzi. I hope Michael Jackson’s
circus animals, Jackson would not grow death will lead to a new legacy; a legacy
up to be a “normal” adult. He admitted that will create new laws that will
that he had to hide from the press; he protect children from “child predators”
became reclusive; he had numerous in the entertainment industry. Now that
Established 2006
accusations and lawsuits hurled against would be a legacy fit for a King (of
Angela Jones, Publisher
him; yet the public never saw him angry. Pop).
Chris Parks, Editor
Rae Willis, Graphic Designer
Barbara A. Parrish, Contributing Writer
Dwight Moore, II, Contributing Writer
For news and information 24/7
Octavia Wyatt, Contributing Writer
PO Box 10354 ● Norfolk, VA 23513
www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com
Sales and Information 757-575-1863
info@hamptonroadsmessenger.com
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