What's REALLY Going ON Volume 1, June 2014 Issue #6

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Michael Inspires True Pride by Elizabeth Olney Famously, the story of The Jackson Family is one of an American dream come true. Yet, as we know, fame came at a very high price for Michael; horrendously high a price. Following extreme taunting and haunting by media over lies, Michael took his children into exile. It only took a few liars to instigate an atrocity of disrespect towards him. His image and character were unjustly defamed and misunderstood. A dark cloud looms over his legacy ‘til this day yet, an honorable legacy of him is gradually emerging as you read this. photo-realist painting by fan, Siryouss Michael’s with classmates, 1970 The Jackson Family relocated from a modest, two-bedroom house in Gary Indiana, to a mansion in Los Angeles California, August of 1969, Michael attended public school at Gardner Street Elementary School, as a sixth grader in 1969-70, until becoming home-schooled. He would rehearse with his brothers in the evenings. Though he only went to this school briefly, Michael never forgot it. Twenty years later, the very successful Michael was invited back to the school for a ceremony in his honor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5hIfliFtU Michael donated some of his earnings during his “Bad Era”, so the kids may continue music classes. He paid the music teachers salary and had rose bushes planted by school’s playground. The school dedicated its’ auditorium to him and his name adorned 80 the outside entrance. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=hix3te36CUI Michael the day of Gardener School dedication, 1988 Sahar Jannati attended this same school from 1994 – 96 at a time when Michael was praised and looked-up to. She felt a sense of unity there. This was painfully contrasted by ignorant attitudes of harsh pre-judgment to follow. In 2003, as news of allegations over Michael inflamed, the admiration for Michael by the school faltered and his name was covered with plywood boards. This act of unjust discredit really bothered Sahar. Citizens of the LA community and across The US, in addition to many people all over the world, were clouded by speculation and controversy due to false accusations of Michael. It especially hurt and confused her that her own school denied Michael’s innocence, following his total acquittal, of fourteen charges, by The Grand Jury of the County of Santa Barbara, State of California. The boards stayed up. When Michael passed, the

What's REALLY Going ON Volume 1, June 2014 Issue #6 | Page 80