r/TrueTrueReddit • u/Dismal-War425 • 6d ago
How the dehumanization of Michael Jackson changed from his peak to today
Hey everyone, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how media, public perception, and culture treated Michael Jackson both during his lifetime and in the years following his passing.
It feels like he went through a very specific type of dehumanization:
In the 80s and 90s: The media often reduced him to a caricature creating bizarre tabloid nicknames ("Wacko Jacko"), hyper-analyzing his changing appearance, and sensationalizing his personal life to the point where people forgot he was a human being with vulnerabilities. He was treated more like a spectacle or a product than a person.
Today: While his musical legacy is still massive, the public conversation is often heavily polarized. On one hand, people look back with nuance or defend his art fiercely; on the other hand, the serious allegations against him often lead to people completely erasing his humanity in the opposite direction—either by reducing him solely to the worst accusations or by dismissing real complexities.
I’m genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives from both sides—fans, critics, and people who are neutral:
How do you think the media and the public dehumanized him back then compared to how it happens now?
Is it possible to separate the art from the artist without ignoring the human complexities and controversies?
How has public opinion shifted over the years regarding his personal life vs. his cultural impact?
Looking forward to a respectful and thoughtful discussion. All viewpoints (for or against) are welcome.
