no amount of success is worth the abuse joe jackson inflicted on his children

Papa Joe Jackson has passed away and while our condolences are with Jackson’s children and grandchildren, it’s important to remember that child abuse, REGARDLESS of “positive” potential outcomes, is unacceptable and traumatizing.

Speculated throughout the years, but confirmed by Michael Jackson during an interview with Martin Bashir filmed between 2002 and 2003, Joe Jackson was a violent abuser of his children, demanding excellence from his children while he groomed them for international success. Horrifyingly enough, the perfectionism and precision that Michael and Janet are still so celebrated for today were more than likely the results of profound abuse and terror.

In the stunning interview, Michael detailed what it was like living with a father who demanded excellence to the point where he would watch his children practicing while carrying a belt in his hand. A symbol, a threat that if they missed a step they’d get a whopping. “If you didn’t do it the right way, he would tear you up.”

Even though Joe Jackson’s parenting was, shall we say, extreme? It’s so important for everyone who loves children to acknowledge that any level of physical abuse committed against a child is psychologically traumatizing and not a legitimate parenting method.