Admittedly, I was more annoyed with 1) people's anti-Jay-Z stance [I'm a Jay-Z fan] and 2) people's obsession with Chris Brown, than I was with girls not understanding domestic violence (but trust me, it affected my opinion of the defenders) in this whole banning Chris Brown situation. So I began doing a supertweet session on it. Finally, in response to another person's tweet, I was about to write "It's not like Chris Brown holds a candle to Michael anyway." when it hit me, this Chris Brown situation is like my torrid relationship with Michael and his music.
Why?
1) Chris Brown beat Rihanna. MJ most likely molested children. Let's not split hairs with the "alleged" stuff. I know you wouldn't have wanted your kids hangin' at Neverland.
2) Chris Brown has a huge fanbase because of his music and dancing. Michael Jackson has an infinitely huge fan base because of his music and dancing.
3) Each has a fan base that is willing to overlook these misdeeds because of their celebrity and art.
And so I thought to myself, what really makes MJ so different from Chris Brown that makes it so I'm okay with listening to MJ's music and watching him perform, but I pass judgement on Brown? Just because MJ is that much more legendary and his music is that much better that he gets a pass? I mean, I thought about the "giving MJ a pass" thing already soon after his death, but it was really appropriate that this Chris Brown situation occurred so that I could frame it from this new perspective. I was really distraught with myself for being a hypocrite.
What helped me through this was this article from Racialicious discussing Michael Jackson's death from the perspective of a child abuse survivor who happened to also be an MJ fan. I fully recommend it. In it, the writer discusses the complexities of a person and being able to enjoy the music that shaped his childhood, while never forgetting the atrocities done. Regarding separation of music and art, it basically says that just because you enjoy the music doesn't mean you approve of their personal actions. I don't try to defend Michael's actions just because of his music, even if I love the music. I still reject him as a person.
I'll also admit that I still sing Chris Brown's "With You" on my Lips karaoke video game. And I can't help but dance to T-Pain & Chris Brown's "Freeze". I still have Chris Brown's music deleted and I don't listen to his music on purpose much. But not the same with Michael's. I still have those. I believe that it's because Michael's music means more to me than Chris Brown's ever did.
But going back to these Chris Brown defenders, I have to say it still bothers me. And it's because I know that this isn't the same situation. These big Chris Brown fans aren't separating the music from the person. Check some samples of the tweets:
jay z is a bitch, he should of let chris brown perform cause jay z cant dance like chriss!!!!!!!!!!!!You can say that again Andre. BET = Sucked. Epic fail.Breezy should have opened the show. He's too good for ghetto BET awards. (Editor's Note: This one was from the actual writer of the online Ban Jay-Z petition)I FEEL SO SORRY 4 CHRIS BROWN, WHY IS EVERY1 HATING ON HIM! FUCK JAY-ZCHRIS BROWN IS THE MAN. NO MATTER WAT THAT UGLY BASTARD JAY-Z SAYS!!
Well, none of these are exactly proof positive that they aren't separating music and man, but I know deep down that he as a person and his livelihood matter as much as just the music itself. There's a reason they care whether he performed or not. You know they feel that way too. Don't lie to yourself.
Anyway, the lesson here? In situations like these: Learn to enjoy the music while rejecting the artist. It's not really as simple as that, but it's how I deal.
Post Script Note: Getting back onto the Chris Brown hater wagon: It's not like Chris Brown had to be on that show to give MJ a proper tribute. If Chris Brown is the closest thing we got to MJ, then Pop music is in trouble. People are acting like (and actually saying that) MJ himself would've been pissed off that Chris Brown didn't performed. They must be on the crack.

