KING: Your father was — your father was tough, though, was he not? Have you forgiven some of the — the way you were treated as a kid?
JACKSON: I was treated fine. There's nothing to forgive. I mean, any black family or any black child or just person out there listening, we grew up like any other black family. You did something, you got your butt tore up, and it wasn't tore up, it was just, you got a spanking. And so, making this more than what it is — they're looking for problems.
But I will say this. He kept us off of the streets. He kept us away from drugs. He kept us away from gangs and we were able — like I said, we're five kids from Gary, Indiana, house the size of a two- car garage, but at the same time, we've been able to project a talent out there and have the support of strong people to entertain the world. So that's a blessing from god, and so — at the same time, having good parents.
...KING: So, what are you going to be doing, Jermaine, now that this is over?
JACKSON: I'm going to be, just, probably just working on some music, starting a label, and just staying strong, staying by my family, staying by my brothers. My brothers are — we're strong. We're ready for whatever. If there's a tour, fine. If not, we're going to continue to be a family, a united family. We came through this.
KING: If Michael leaves the country, would you?
JACKSON: I'll be right there.
KING: You would?
JACKSON: Right there with him. We love — we love the people in America. It's been the media and we have nothing bad to say. I mean there's some wonderful places here, but at the same time, there are wonderful places all around the world and we need to just travel and see more.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ken
Of course Jermaine and the Jacko's would follow Michael, that's where the money is! When is Tito's next cd coming out?? It ain't!! Just let me know where I can send my donation for their plane tickets. Viva la France!!
2 - Eric Olsen
Ken, according to Jermaine, the brothers will be going along for Michael's protection, which he implies includes protecting Michael from himself. I think it'll be fun!
3 - Kate
Hey, does anyone get the impression that Jermaine and all the rest of the Jacksons think they are strong, so very very strong, Oh, and also strong? And will stay that way? Strong, I mean?
Strongly yours,
K. in California
4 - Eric Olsen
Kate, there is much strength in your comment - and I cut out half the "strong" quotes because I just couldn't take anymore.
5 - Mickey
Yuck !!
6 - Peggy Lee
I am so thankful this is over and still hope Michael can reconstruct his life and move on He must beware of everyonehe meets .
7 - Eric Olsen
and vice versa
8 - Dawn
Wow, what a load of self-serving horseshit that was.
Back up the manure truck, I have found the motherload!
9 - Dawn
Oh, and what did he mean by "butt tore-up" is that a euphemism for "sleeping with boys"?
Just wondering, cuz inquiring minds want to know.
10 - Eric Berlin
I believe the important question now is whether or not Jermaine will be invited to MJ's PJ sleepovers.
11 - Eric Olsen
"insiders" say Michael can't stand Jermaine
12 - Eric Berlin
So... no invite then?
13 - Bennett
"and vice versa"
Aw hell, beer on the monitor again?
You gotta stop doing that Eric!
14 - a fan
Look at all of his work throughout his life, the overriding message is to heal the world and love. It's sad that people forget the good so easily. If the world keeps heading in that direction eventually everyone will be placed in Michael's shoes and you will finally understand. But...it may be too late then.
15 - Eric Berlin
I feel fairly confident that I will never know what it's like to walk in MJs shoes.
16 - a fan
But yet you're so quick to point your finger. How can you completely understand someone until you have. Empathy is a wonderful characteristic!
17 - CHARLIE
I BELIEVE MICHAEL WAS GUILTY I THINK
LIKE OJ HE GOT AWAY WITH IT.
THE QUESTION IS NOW IS HE GOING TO START ABUSING HIS OWN CHILDREN
18 - a fan
So, if you don't have faith in your own justice system than who do you have faith in? My point is you have to look at what a person stands for if you don't know all the pieces and make the best decision. Just because someone seems a little weird doesn't mean they would harm someone else. No one really knows, but I just can't turn my back on someone whose always stood for good. If we do that then who do we believe in?
19 - Eric Olsen
you can be a fan of an artist, and even of what you perceive him or her to stand for without worshiping at the altar of their personhood
20 - a fan
appreciation doesn't have to mean love or worship. I think dictionary.com describes it best: Recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things.
21 - Eric Olsen
that's very reasonable
22 - a fan
I try to be most the time :)
23 - Jennifer
If you people keep up the self-righteous crucifixion/lynching all you will do is create a martyr/saint. MJ really makes you look like a bunch of snarling hyenas who have lost (maybe never had) all innocence. So sad.
24 - Neon05
I Believe that it was up to an official court of law where they decide who is innocent. They Said for all 10 charges Michael was innocent maybe it's time for every one to back off the man. He has been throw enough I think People are jealous of him because they don't have the fame and fortune that he has. He worked very hard to get where he his so people can knock him down. Is this fair We live in a world that is bad enough but yet people have to make it impossible to live in this world I mean really This world needs to leave this man alone he did his part to prove his innocence's now every one needs back off and let him lives his life this is not fair to treat people like this it's one thing to torment him but it's another to keep going. People have to find better things to do. Thanks
25 - Eric Olsen
you're welcome