My heart swells with pride for Wade Robson, famed choreographer, for speaking out on the sexual abuse he endured by Michael Jackson. When I listened to the interview this morning my heart raced when Matt Lauer asked Wade to ‘be more detailed’ because this was a big accusation coming against the ‘King’ of Pop.
Robson was simple and direct, “Michael Jackson performed sexual acts on me and forced me to perform sexual acts on him from when I was 7 years old to 14 years old.” It was when Matt brought up the fact that Robson testified for Michael Jackson at the criminal hearing back in the early 90’s when Michael Jackson was being accused of such acts against other boys that Robson spoke the truth that I believe is detrimental for so many who have suffered abuse needed to hear: he was a child that was told by this man who he loved and adored that this was how they ‘show love’ and if he were to ‘tell anybody’ about this kind of ‘love’ that they both would be sent to jail. Wade Robson was eleven years old! He was a child who was being manipulated by love.
Matt Lauer asked him, “Why now? Why speak out now?” and I love Wade’s answer: “To heal I have to speak my truth and speak my whole truth.”
SEE THE TODAY SHOW INTERVIEW HERE
God is kicking up the dirt down here and I’m enjoying every second of it. The Catholic church scandal, Sandusky, the military sexual assault scandal (Which, by the way has me in an internal uproar! The very men who were entrusted to protect and prevent sexual assault crimes against women serving in the military and they are THE perpetrator doing the crime… evil), and even the blessed release of the three women held captive in Cleveland.
More and more people are TALKING and this is exactly what needs to happen. The more we talk the more other survivors will begin to listen and realize they don’t have to continue suffering. And the more we talk the more children and teenagers will hear what is NOT RIGHT…what is considered ‘abuse’ and feel more empowered to get away, say no, not listen or fight back.
Unfortunately we will always have naysayers wanting to discount our voice, make us ‘shut up’, tell us we should have known, or we shouldn’t listen to the demeaning words being said or get a thicker skin, etc etc…but these people are simply afraid of the ugly truth – that people hurt people.
When Wade Robson was asked what he feels when he thinks about Michael Jackson he said, “Heartbreak, pain, anger and compassion.” When you’ve been hurt by someone you trust and love, who is a ‘good person’ outside of the abuse, in Michael’s case talented as well, it is the hardest to merge the monster with the human.
Very proud of Wade Robson today for finding his voice!
Blessings
Shannon