If Michael Jackson had stayed in Gary, Indiana.

When Michael Jackson died a few weeks ago, I revisited some of his past interviews where he talked about missing out on his childhood and how he had been searching for it ever since. I talked to Mr. Pete about this.

“It’s bullcrap,” says he.

I was a little flustered with his response. Michael Jackson started working at the age of 5 and by 8 was performing in front or large audiences where he remained for the most part of his life. The performance, rehearsal and touring schedules were grueling and undoubtedly he missed a lot that we take for granted in a “normal childhood.” But was his life really that bad? Not according to my husband and I think he has a point.

If Michael Jackson and his family hadn’t hit it big, he would have grown up in Gary, Indiana. He would have known poverty and crime instead of riches and adulation. He may have even been murdered years ago as young African American males make up a significant portion of the victims of violent crimes. He might have made it through high school, but the odds would have been against him with a 53% drop out rate.

And because he really would have had to work hard for living, he may have never discovered his talents or found work that gave him the kind of pleasure that music and dance did. Maybe instead his talents would have become mere hobbies, perhaps avocations for weddings and parties.

Although on the bright side he wouldn’t have had the same amount of time to wallow in his unhappiness. His great wealth let him obsess over it and that obsession became the driving force in his life. If he remained a great unknown he wouldn’t have had the funds to mess up his face either.

So while Michael lamented all of the normal stuff he lost it doesn’t seem like he ever really appreciated or understood the great opportunities his childhood stardom afforded him. And maybe that’s one of the greatest ironies of all.

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