Innocent Until Perceived Guilty
By Bahati Osayimwese
6-18-05
© ETBlack.com
Greetings my dear readers!
Much time has elapsed since I last posted words upon my website.
Life's twists have taken their turns; but the work of the keyboard must proceed.
Oil is in the high $50's per barrel, Iraq is still Iraq, Tony Blair got re-elected as the British Prime Minister, Pope John Paul II died, The
Houston Astros proved that they were not going anywhere near the World Series this year, Catholic Bishops in the U.S. voted to extend the ban on child molesting priests' re-entering the ministry, and Michael Jackson was acquitted of 10 counts of serious crimes including child molestation.
In the midst of this, the planning for the 10 year Anniversary of the Million Man March moves along with the formation of the Millions More Movement.
[http://www.millionsmoremovement.com]
The purpose of this writing is not necessarily the politics of the world but the perceptions of the world "jury" or the court of public opinion.
The U.S. holds that a person charged with violating the law is held to be innocent until proven guilty. However, Americans take highly to the notion of freedom including the freedom to judge and possess opinions about others be those opinions right or wrong, founded or unfounded, researched or
un-researched. Perception becomes one's reality not matter what the real "jury" says or thinks.
Many have already made up their minds about the guilt or non-guilt of Jackson. They will think highly or lowly of him
regardless of the outcome of this case or any future cases should they develop.
Many have judged him to be a strange former Black person (perhaps a child not yet a man, too bleached and thin of nose to be truly Black). Many perceive him to be a great person and an outstanding performer and artist.
My opinion is mixed. Therefore, this writing will be mixed, confused, logical and illogical at the same time. I want to believe that Michael is Black, is a man, is a good person, and is innocent of the charges lodged against him. However, I am but one member of an ad hoc global jury that will define his place in the collective psyche of public opinion and dialogue. I am a hung juror all by myself. I know what I WANT to perceive; but, I don't know
WHAT to perceive.
It was all a mistrial in my view because I literally missed the trial. Or did I? Does the trial ever really end? How many more tv programs will there be, how many books written, spoofs presented, and jokes rendered? Will it ever stop? My verdict - no. The trial will continue. Michael will forever be a defendant of his character, fame, Blackness, and innocence or non-guilt.
Of all of the artists that come to mind, Michael was initially at the top of the list of the most likeable at first. He was the most innocent of the innocents. He was once perceived innocent beyond the imagination of the possibility of suggestion or speculation of hint of wrong. That innocence is no longer an ironclad shield of armor. He will not only need bodyguards to keep fans from smothering him with their love; but, he will also need guys at hand to protect him from folks who will smother him as punishment for crimes they perceive that he committed.
It can be tough being a human being. It is tough to be a Black man. For some Michael tried to escape the trappings of Black manhood by becoming bigger than Black, bigger than man and bigger than life.
You, the reader, have the power to perceive what you will about Michael. He is innocent until proven guilty in your eyes, ears, conscience and perception. You have already rendered
judgment.
Michael has been found not guilty in the court of law. But, in the court of global opinion he
remains on trial. We , "the jury", will learn more about what this person (man?, Black man?) is made of. Court is still in session...
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