Barbra Streisand’s Album ‘Walls’ Clashes with Michael Jackson Comments: Here’s Why
Barbra Streisand – the left-leaning political activist,known for interweaving her concerts with political reflection – is under backlash for comments made about Michael Jackson’s alleged victims.
While Streisand admitted to believing the stories that victims Wade Johnson and James Safechuck put forward (a fact that seems to be receiving minimal attention), she went on to put her foot in her mouth during an interview. According to Fox News, Barbra Streisand stated the following regarding Safechuck and Johnson:
“You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck] say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”
Barbra Streisand also blamed Michael Jackson’s parents for his “sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he ha[d],” and as a result of her statements, minimized the victims’ struggles and psychological turmoil post-molestation.
Fans are even surprised, as Streisand has found herself on the wrong side of an argument that truly doesn’t have another side. Some are even wondering what this says about the thought processes customary of the Hollywood elite. However, any vast generalizations seem unfair.
Barbra Streisand’s album ‘Walls’ stands up against the abuse of power, and the Trump administration as a whole
Barbra Streisand’s album ‘Walls’ takes direct jabs at President Trump, while reminding fans that she still boasts an impressive voice worth writing home about. In this album, Barbra Streisand explores racial inequality, the gap between the top 1% and the rest of the world, gender equality, and more.
Take a look below at some of the lyrics from the song “What’s on My Mind” to see the kind of message Barbra Streisand often endorses:
I’m lying here awake
Photographs flash through my head
If only I could get some rest
I toss and turn instead
Oh I think of every child
How they should have the right to shine
Never lose their innocence
Each one born divine
Some trees learn to bend
That’s how they survive
Maybe we must learn from them
To keep our hopes alive
Sometimes my eyes just want to cry
How did we come to this divide?
Is this God’s creation?
One for all, but millions left behind
That’s what’s on my mind
Genius Lyrics
These lyrics paint a picture that Barbra has been painting for decades: one of inclusion, forgiveness, understanding, and the disparagement of the abuse of power.
Why Streisand’s life work does not align with her recent comments regarding the Michael Jackson victims
Barbra Streisand is not one to see innocence stripped away as a “dismissable” fact of life. Based on this song, this album, her entire life for that matter, Streisand is not one to see childhood molestation as a negligible incident just because the victim has gone on to have a wife and kids. While Barbra Streisand is taking a lot of heat, and may not deserve forgiveness, her life’s work cannot be denied.
Barbra Streisand issued a clarifying statement in response to backlash
Barbra Streisand has since made a statement to clear her name. Whether or not people will forgive her is another story; however, she is just another person, capable of making a mistake like the rest of us.
According to Vulture, she stated:
To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is okay for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone. The stories these two young men shared were painful to hear, and I feel nothing but sympathy for them. The single most important role of being a parent is to protect their children. It’s clear that the parents of the two young men were also victimized and seduced by fame and fantasy.
What Streisand said about the victims is unacceptable, but it cannot overrule all she has done to promote inclusivity, protect and support the less fortunate, and fight the good fight.