We’ve published several MJTruthNow newsletters wherein we asked for your support by commenting on blogs. We believe, over time, we can overcome the negativity surrounding Michael Jackson that was maliciously spread by medialoid.
When we ask for your help, we always include these tips for effective commenting:
- No Michael Jackson avatars
- No Michael Jackson screen names
- Use gender neutral screen names
- No love letters to Michael
- Please use spell check
- Always remain respectful
Word has reached us that some Michael Jackson fans feel that requesting they not use Michael Jackson avatars and screen names makes the fans feel ashamed to be Michael’s fans. This is definitely not our intention, so this newsletter will explain our thinking about fan avatars and screen names.
An avatar is an Internet user’s representation of him/herself or alter ego. We see them as small photos or pictures used on Internet forums and other communities such as Michael Jackson fan sites. Many fans enjoy using photos or images of Michael Jackson as their avatars.
A screen name is a nickname. Many fans enjoy identifying with Michael Jackson by using screen names such as MJlover, MJ4ever, IluvMJ, Justice4MJ, LoveUMJ, Joy4MJ, etc.
However, a fact of the serious business of vindication of Michael Jackson in mainstream media is that obvious fan identity is counterproductive to effective advocacy. As we have seen time and time again, media is routinely condescending to Michael Jackson fans.
It’s essential that Michael’s advocates operate firmly outside the arena where his fans are summarily dismissed and marginalized.
This is not a betrayal or rejection of Michael’s fans or Michael himself, but a necessary strategy to achieve justice for Michael Jackson on an uneven and rocky playing field where every step must be carefully planned.
Even ardent admirers of Michael’s body of work and his many humanitarian efforts may cringe at some forms of the idolization of Michael. At the same time, they’re compelled to rally against what happened to Michael. He was virtually destroyed by certain malevolent members of the media.
When observers, who may not necessarily be Michael Jackson detractors, say, “I don’t get these people” [Michael Jackson fans], our best response is to appeal to their empathy for what it must have been like for Michael to have been targeted for demonization by medialoid.
We can’t effectively appeal to that core of empathy when we present ourselves with fannish behavior, avatars and screen names. We ask that you refrain from presenting as a fan when advocating for Michael Jackson in mainstream media.
The best place, in our opinion, for fans to communicate in full fan mode is on Michael Jackson fan sites. Everyone there is already convinced of Michael’s unique talents and their love and respect for him as a person.
Thanks, as always, for your support.
