Re: Is Joe Jackson Okay?
May God have mercy on his soul and give strength to the family. I'm sure he was surrounded by love and left this earth with peace in his heart.
He was a man whose childhood and teen years were marked not only by endemic racism, but also the Great Depression and WWII. Then, as he was raising his own family in Gary, he was faced with a hostile climate in which to raise children. Yet, in spite of it all, he managed to create the most successful group to come out of that part of America and in all of Motown's history, if I'm not mistaken. His methods may have been questionable, but unfortunately they were the norm in those days.
I think he tried his best for his family and everything (including his errors) was brought about by his hunger for the success of his children. He may not have been able to express his feelings of love and pride in the early years, when Michael needed so badly his approval, appreciation and tenderness, but I'm convinced that later in their lives they not only made peace, but came to accept and embrace one another fully.
And I also like to believe that Michael held in his heart mostly the good memories of his father. And at the end, that's what matters most. The state of the relationship at the end of life; as long as we find peace and forgiveness before the ultimate separation, nothing else counts. And when that reconciliation goes back decades (as I believe was the case between Michael and his father), it's even better.
As traumatic an experience as the trial was, it was beautiful to see Michael surrounded by his entire family. And the scenes with Joseph are some of the ones I treasure most.
Rest in peace sir Walter, Joseph Jackson.