There’s something I have to tell you, I’m not like other fans….
One thing I learned from Michael, was that its ok to be different, its ok to think outside the box and go against what society deems as normal. When Michael was alive, for me this meant following my heart and travelling to see Michael. During those years, when the world had turned against him, I found the courage to let my heart see the truth and the beauty of the real Michael. When I was with the other fans, I wasn’t alone any more, for a few short days, I would be surrounded by others who felt the same way, and we became like family, uniting in our love for Michael. It didn’t matter that society looked on us and weird and strange, we shared a common bond and it gave us the strength to be different and unique and not to allow societies prejudices to stop us achieving our dreams.
When Michael left us, our world changed forever. Suddenly our little world rapidly increased in numbers. Suddenly those of us who had formed a community, both online and in real life during the last 10 years of Michael’s life, became the minority. We were swamped and pushed aside by the huge numbers who “found” Michael due to the huge media interest his death had created. We found ourselves in a world we did not recognize. These post June 2009 fans had no knowledge or understanding of our world. They had not shared our experience and so could not understand our grief. As there was such a huge influx, they all bonded due to their common interest, they had all turned to the fan community to cope with their grief and had found huge numbers who were in a similar position.
Now 2 and a half years later, these post June 2009 fans are the majority. It is THEIR views & opinions which are now how the fan community live by. If you don’t conform to THEIR views, if you dare have a different viewpoint, you are mocked & ridiculed, pushed aside, branded a hater, and made to feel not welcome.
Just like before, when society didn’t understand our love for Michael, I dare to be different and go against what is now seen as “normal” in the fan community.
I don’t buy or have anything to do with posthumous Michael Jackson projects, merchandise, music releases. If Michael did not personally approve it for release, then I want nothing to do with it.
I don’t allow photos or discussion of Michael’s children on my site, either in the forum or on the twitter/facebook pages.
I don’t support any Jackson family project or event.
I don’t buy or support books about Michael written and published AFTER June 2009
I don’t have any time for people who were adults in 2009, who had no time for and knew nothing about Michael when he was alive, yet are now experts, write books about him etc.
I don’t agree with the huge amount of digitally altered photos of Michael. I feel it is extremely wrong and damaging to put Michael’s head on others bodies, to put Michael into places and situations which he never was. All this is doing is destroying Michael’s HIStory , as the real photos are being destroyed and the real events & places are being forgotten and lost.
So yes I’m not like other fans, I refuse to be a sheep, fall in line and conform and follow the rules of society / the new post June 2009 fan community. Have the courage to follow your heart, stand up for what you believe, be unique and individual, that whats Michael taught us.
My friend, what can I say… I may not know you personally, but I can relate to what you expressed above. Especially when it comes to posthumous releases / projects / merchandise, I couldn’t agree more.
A couple of things to add to the list: 1) I consider hoax theories a direct insult to my ongoing grief, therefore I want nothing to do with them (unlike the majority of ‘fans’). 2) I refuse to get ‘excited’ whenever as much as an unreleased photo/track comes to light. The man I love is gone. Tragically, unfairly, prematurely gone. I can’t get ‘excited’ over a photo when we’ve lost Michael forever. People singing and dancing outside Neverland/Forest Lawn… too much joy over somebody’s death, don’t you think?
IMO, it’s not just newbies who have caused this mess, since the attitude of many long-term fans has changed dramatically since Michael’s death (doing all the things you mentioned above). I suppose I’m not like other fans either. Hang in there, you are not alone.
I am like you on this!I was there for him for all his ordeals,defended him,fought for him since I became a fan in 1987!
I met great fans when I travelled to see him and support him and when he passed,my world collapsed,my heart was ripped off my body and only fans like me could understand cause they felt this way too!
I don’t buy anything about him since then,support family projects,etc..
I miss him terribly!