Michael Jackson feeds fawn
Perhaps this could be one of the questions we will receive answers to in the weeks ahead. There is some evidence floating around indicating that Jackson indeed may have been a "strict vegetarian," which could lead one to infer that he was actually a vegan.
- "Associates also say he adheres to a strict vegetarian diet and works out with a personal trainer." -BusinessMirror
- "He also was a strict vegetarian." -LATimes
- "Jackson was a vegetarian..." -About
He has also been featured on Happy Cow's list of famous vegetarians. Although Jackson may have followed a vegan diet and likey considered himself an "animal lover," did he really live a life of non-exploitation?
Michael had been criticized by PETA for keeping exotic animals as pets, keeping animals in unacceptable conditions at the Neverland Ranch, and planning to use animals in his live shows.
So was Michael Jackson a vegan? Maybe by diet, but certainly not through adherence to a compassionate lifestyle. It's definitely possible that Jackson had yet to make all the connections clear in his mind about the use of animals in all aspects of life, but he probably would have chosen to defend animals to the best of his abilities considering the compassion he showed for those around him.
Comments
"Maybe by diet."
That doesn't work. You cannot by definition be a "vegan by diet". That makes him what they called him in the article, a "strict vegetarian." Vegans by definition do not use animals. It's not just about food consumption. But I think you know that.
Why do you advertise scientology on your website?!
That man was a pedophile. Where was the compassion he showed to those children?
Thanks for a good article, Ed. I think Michael was a deeply compassionate person and he knew a lot about pain since he experienced so much of it on an emotional and psychological level. And he was already a committed vegetarian. I just bet that had he been surrounded by the right people, he would have eventually "gotten it" about veganism. Who knows what might have happened, for example, had he not had the falling out with Paul McCartney. Can you imagine how great it would have been if Michael Jackson had become an animal rights activist!?
I've never met a vegan who didn't "use animals" in one way or another. If you drive, animal fats were probably used in the making of the vulcanized rubber in your tires (not to mention the bugs that splatter on your grill). If you eat organic produce, it was almost certainly grown using fertilizers derived from animals. This kind of "who's the real vegan?" one-upmanship does no one any favors, least of all the animals.
All vegetarians and or vegans have "used" animals in some way or another. In this era, it's almost impossible not to.
Amber, get a life.
The problem with saying, "I bet MJ was a vegan; isn't that great?" is that most people don't see him as a shining example to be looked up to, and toward the end he became downright decrepit—even having to use a wheelchair at times. If he was a vegan, this was certainly not the fault of veganism, since vegans are as diverse as omnivores in habits, likes and dislikes, and body type, to name a few factors. But it certainly is bound to make more than one person say, "If MJ was a vegan, I'll have a second helping of steak garnished with bacon!"
Personally, I see a Howard-Hughes-style obsessive-compulsive disorder, and regardless, most—if not all—people could see that he was a troubled individual. Maybe if he hadn't had such a troubled childhood, he wouldn't have been able to sing ballads like "I'll Be There" and "Ben" with such feeling.
To amber... What an affirmation ! If he was... Why was he not accused ? You are wrong wrong wrong...
VeganForSixYears: "I've never met a vegan who didn't 'use animals' in one way or another."
Vegans avoid the use of animals if at all possible. We can't live on this planet without causing death or harm to other living creatures, but we can seek to minimize death and harm wherever we can, such as in our food, clothing and product choices. As a vegan, I seek to control what I can, which are those choices.
Trent, thanks for pointing that out.
There are all kinds of stories, interviews, coverage from both "recognized", "reputable" media giants, as well as those disgraceful tabloids- making one not know what to believe any more.
So, for the moment, I'd just like to focus our Michael's music, his other artistic works and performances that will remain "Never before, never again".
Maybe he had tried a vegetarian diet in some time of his life, maybe on-and-off, maybe briefly. We'd never know.
Michael was uninformed about animal rights, that is for certain.
I am well aware of the definition of vegan and of veganism. I don't think he was ever a vegan- you vegans should know very well what I mean.
Too bad, now Michael's association with vegetarianism may turn more people into vegetarian haters instead of vegetarians or vegans. Sad.
Should Michael ever were on a vegetarian diet, it was a shame that he did not do it the healthy way.
I just care about his work. RIP Mike
I disagree with those (including PETA and yourself) who criticize him for keeping exotic animals as pets. First of all, in the case of Bubbles the chimp, he rescued Bubbles from a cancer research facility. Bubbles would have been used for research and most likely killed if he had stayed there. I would not be surprised to find that most of his other animals were similar rescues of some sort. How can a vegan be against that? Animals suffer in all sorts of ways in the wild, too. It is not a perfect utopia out there where they are forced to find their own food and battle predators.
In the doc "Living With Michael Jackson"(2003), MJ speaks of serving warm milk and cookies to the kids visiting Neverland Ranch. Cow milk is not a vegan food. However, many "vegatarians" somehow consider cow milk part of a vegetarian diet.
Magic Johnson said they ate fried chicken together
He was not a pedophile. he was a great soul.
perhaps he give chiken to Magic Johnson but Michael did not ate it.
any way, he was more good person than others at all. He gave nore than 300.000.000 dolars to pious activities. and was a benefactor and protector of children. chaste and innocent victim of a cruel childhood that he happened.
Michael is whats called a chicken and fist vegaterian. Michaels will was to be on a strict vegetarian diet, but his doctors forced him to be on a chicken and fish diet due to his poor health, and lack of the nutrients that you would get from chicken, but he never ate things like hamburgers or steak ect. Just chicken, and fish
No way Michael was a vegan. He loved KFC and Big Macs!!!! Rest in peace Michael. I will always love you!!! :)
I'm a Pesco- Vegetarian, and I became that ONLY because I wanted to be healthier, and lose weight. That's it! Animals are the inferior species, and meant to be eaten. Jesus believed in it! Animals would overpopulate the world if they are allowed to keep producing, and producing more animals! Oh, and fish do not feel pain, so no I do not feel bad about eating it:-)
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