Comments on: Michael and Vitiligo

By: Linda Wang

Linda Wang — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:10 +0000

It is incredible that we had such a beautiful human being — both inside and outside!
It is unbelievable how hard the media tried to destroy him.
Why did we not do something for him before now?
Why did we not hold a strike to protect him against the media?
Why did we not celebrate with a big party in 2005 to show our support when MJ was cleared of all charges and found innocent?
A lot of regret!

By: Elizabeth (Cawobeth)

Elizabeth (Cawobeth) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:51:18 +0000

Though I had been aware, since hearing Michael tell the public himself, that he had Vitiligo, I didn’t know about his Lupus until a few months ago. I wondered when he appeared on TV and referred to his disease as serious. Though Vitiligo is serious, it seemed like he meant life threatening, which Lupus certainly can be. Since it never seemed like Michael to exaggerate, I felt there was something more. After researching it; discovering the extent to which Lupus affects a person physically, mentally, and emotionally, I was devastated to learn of yet another reason Michael suffered. Michael Joseph Jackson has shown us that with faith, hope, love, and great will to carry on, one can heal through creative expression and belief in life. He has shown us, throughout his astounding career during which he faced so much cruelty, that one can get through anything. Michael is such a great force of example by whom many can be empowered. We have learned so much from him. Thank you…

By: Cheryl G.

Cheryl G. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:34:06 +0000

Michael Jackson faced a lot in his life… He endured so much, and he lived it down as best he could. I full heartedly agree with Nahamuah… The media should be ashamed.

By: Seen-It-All

Seen-It-All — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:25:16 +0000

Being in the industry, I have worked with Vitiligo sufferers on occasion. It’s particularly tricky on black skin because the contrast is greater. Your only option is to go with the predominant coloring. It’s hard enough for celebrities, never escaping the public eye. I can’t imagine being a superstar with this ever-worsening affliction; the anguish Michael experienced, especially after battling severe acne, suffering the excruciating pain of his head catching fire, facing the resulting effects in a bald patch, and enduring a diagnosis of Lupus — a debilitating auto immune disease. Add to that the aging process Michael faced, when people resisted him growing up in the first place! MJ had more crosses to bear than we can shake a stick at, bless him. I’m a Jane-Schmo and it’s difficult for me to handle aging. Imagine wondering if anyone would love you if they saw your looks as you really are; the whole world watching everything you do. His shoulders were broader than we ever knew.

By: Judy Morris

Judy Morris — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:39:05 +0000

Michael Jackson had so much courage. He suffered a great deal in his life with Lupus and Vitiligo. I don’t know how he did what he did…the dancing — that man could move. I am sure, though, it must have put him in a lot of pain. The media need to change how they do their reporting, especially when it comes to celebrities like Michael Jackson. I have never in my life seen such bad behavior among the press. What they did to Michael was a great travesty. It was just as bad here in Canada, and the people just gobbled it up. Michael didn’t deserve what the media did to him. They forgot all the good things he did, including what he did for children’s hospitals and charities. Michael was a good man. He had a big heart. He was humble. I quite agree the media should not be allowed to get away with what they did to Michael.

WE SHOULD STAND TOGETHER TO BRING CHANGE! IF WE SUCCEED, OTHERS WILL FOLLOW!

By: Nahamuah

Nahamuah — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:11:10 +0000

The media, in general, need to hold their heads in collective shame. It is never okay to attack a person regarding a physical or mental condition over which they have no control. MJ’s talent and wealth created such envy and animosity, the media incited a feeding frenzy at an obscene level that should never again be allowed to happen. We all need to stand together against such abominable behavior. For Michael, this included the printing and circulation of unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations against an extraordinarily talented composer/singer/dancer/entertainer and extremely kind and generous humanitarian. Collectively, we all ought to say, “NEVER AGAIN WILL WE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!”

By: Mel J.

Mel J. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:50:45 +0000

I understand the pain of Michael’s Lupus; my mother had it. I watched her on days when she was in so much pain, she could barely move. Her skin began to break down and she also had to protect herself from sun exposure. It is absolutely astounding to me to know that Michael suffered from the same pain and yet he continued to perform for his fans. To be surrounded by people who did nothing to help him or see that he got the medical attention he needed is still something that makes me very angry. Also, to have the media make fun of him and say awful things about him hurts so badly. And yet, he stood proud and remained strong. We will never know how he suffered in his private moments, but the fact that he showed himself to the world as a confident and proud Black man will always be something that makes me proud.

By: Micheline

Micheline — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:18:48 +0000

I never doubted that Michael suffered from Vitiligo. He has spoken frequently and publicly about his pride as a black American, and he gave inspiring speeches at the NAACP. Would he have done that if he were trying to change his race? I suppose the public and media would have been much happier to see Michael suffer with the visible effects of Vitiligo in order to prove something to the world. He didn’t “have” to prove anything. Vitiligo left untreated would have ruined his career when beauty and physical appeal were key components that Michael possessed in unlimited quantities. He was extraordinarily handsome before the condition became noticeable (remember his 1983 Motown 25 performance? The most gorgeous 25-year old Michael I’ve ever seen). But he was equally stunning later in life after the physical changes. I applaud Michael for having the courage to re-invent himself, which included some facial modifications to create a persona more compatible with light skin. No one can fault him for that – and Michael never abandoned his black heritage. Regardless of what he looked like on the outside, he always knew who he was on the inside. Watching this video to Michael’s music from “Childhood” was heartbreaking. It made me think of all the cruelty that was waged against him for so many years. A man who gave us every ounce of his artistic genius, never hurt anyone, wanted nothing but to heal the world, and gave the world quite a head start through his unparalleled humanitarian generosity. A man who wanted to spread the message of love…and to be loved. Michael IS loved by millions, and those who brought darkness upon him possess a darkness of the soul. But as Michael forgave in life…he also forgives in death. We did not deserve him.