As June 13th marks the anniversary of Michael Jackson being acquitted of all charges in his 2005 trial, this bonus episode of Reading Michael Jackson explores the ongoing media campaign to discredit the jury's findings. With a PhD in Rhetoric, host and former college professor Lena uses rhetorical theories of persuasion and manipulation, to identify specific tactics the media uses in misrepresenting the allegations against Michael Jackson. The episode concludes with a guide for where to begin your research journey into the allegations, citing reputable books, podcasts, and documentaries grounded in court transcripts, depositions, and the FBI's multi-year investigation into Michael Jackson.

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Documentary Square One:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxNDb2PVcoM

Mary Fischer's 1994 GQ Article, "Was Michael Jackson Framed?"

https://mjjjusticeproject.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/was-micheal-jackson-framed-gq-mary-fisher-oct-1994/

Geraldine Hughes' Book, "Redemption":

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8FNI0?ccs_id=08e8339e-d453-4220-bebc-f400c5d63baa

Aphrodite Jones' Book "Conspiracy"

https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Conspiracy-Aphrodite-Jones-ebook/dp/B00LIBDZPC?crid=1VDRDQEL5QRMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PUIqdIM8-xo6XVaKfJsXRyEEaf8Fu0jplYzgOUK0DAfGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.8l-Qh9wb6hPlmnsxOHI9dwiaGN5QKIACpHTPfdCCVUw&dib_tag=se&keywords=aphrodite+jones+conspiracy&qid=1781114425&s=digital-text&sprefix=aphrodite+jones+conspiracy%2Cdigital-text%2C111&sr=1-1

Joe Vogel, "What You Should Know About the New Michael Jackson Documentary"

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joevogel/2019/01/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-new-michael-jackson-documentary/

Jin Chohan's Documentary, "Leaving Neverland: The Aftermath"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hkNPmpudpc

Jin Chohan's GO FUND ME for Documentary, "Trial By Media: The Michael Jackson Story"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/themjstorydoc

The MJCast Leaving Neverland Roundtable Episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpdvL1OrLxQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIqkam3MGgI

The Cast for Innocence Podcast:

https://www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com/

Michael Jackson's Rebuttal to 'Living with Michael Jackson' - "The Footage You Were Never Meant to See"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpaIWbfqDxw

For questions or comments email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

In this Part 2 of our Season Finale of Reading Michael Jackson, join me for a deep dive into the "Michael" biopic! After six trips to the theater I have a lot to say about this extraordinary film which, at times, both honors and expands on aspects of Michael's own storytelling in "Moonwalk," and at others falls completely short (where is Diana Ross?!). In this episode things get deep as we discuss Michael's childhood trauma, the true meaning of Neverland, the complex characterization of Joe Jackson, the meaning of destiny and manifestation, the long term impact this film will have on Michael Jackson's legacy, and so much more!

I hope you enjoyed Season 2 of Reading Michael Jackson. Please follow, like, and subscribe to the show to stay updated on future seasons.

For questions, or comments, email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

In this first part of our Season 2 Finale of Reading Michael Jackson, I offer a full, comprehensive review of "Moonwalk," the one and only autobiography Michael Jackson ever released. While offering a summary of the book, its themes, what its contents and omissions can teach about Michael (and his psychology), its strengths, weaknesses, and role in Michael's legacy, I also deconstruct several reviews written about the book spanning from 1988-2019. In addition to pointed discussion of the book itself, listeners are asked to consider who is the true intended audience for a story of Michael Jackson's life? How does the intended audience shape the way the story is told and received and what value is there in the "critic" perspective? What are we entitled to know about Michael's life, if anything, and what right does he have to privacy in the more intimate areas of his life? Who determines what is "enough" for an autobiography (or biopic) to reveal in order to be seen as an authentic depiction of his life?

In addition, tune in for my pre-biopic expectations, considerations, and concerns based on what we learned in "Moonwalk" and beyond.

Part 2 of our Season Finale will contain a full review of the Michael biopic in consideration of our reading of Moonwalk and this episode.

For questions or comments please feel free to reach out at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com