Extract: This month’s MJ Studies Today, the 109th edition of the column, considers some examples of Michael Jackson’s philanthropy and how it has inspired his son Prince and friend John Muto to start the Heal LA Foundation. Columnist Kerry Hennigan suggests the King of Pop’s humble origins and his philosophical ideas on giving selflessly and belief in love as a healing force provide an important lesson for us all, irrespective of our circumstances.
Column by Kerry Hennigan, editor of the free monthly newsletter A Candle for Michael, administrator of the fan group “Michael Jackson’s Short Film Ghosts” on Facebook, and an MJ blogger on WordPress. Kerry is a life-long student, holds Certificates in the Archaeology of the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Ancient Britain from Cambridge University in the UK and is currently focused on the Viking Age and the Silk Roads.
REFERENCE AS:
Hennigan, Kerry. “MJ Studies Today CIX: ‘Not just today, but every day.’ The humble origins and ‘big shoes’ of Michael Jackson’s history of philanthropy.” (14-01-2025). The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies Vol 11, No. 3 (2025). https://sya.rqu.mybluehost.me/website_94cbf058/mj-studies-today-cix/
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“Not just today, but every day.” The humble origins and “big shoes” of Michael Jackson’s history of philanthropy.
By Kerry Hennigan.
Photo montage © Kerry Hennigan
Even when he gained global recognition as the pre-eminent solo entertainer of his time (or any time), Michael Jackson never forgot his humble beginnings, including the size of the first house in which he lived in Gary, Indiana. “When we went back to Gary years later,” he wrote in Moonwalk, “we were all surprised at how tiny that house was… you could take five steps from the front door and you’d be out the back.” [1] Even at the peak of his stardom, off stage, Jackson remained a shy, humble man in the presence of others, often appearing to be uncomfortable around those he did not know. Yet one can imagine that behind those long tendrils of black hair that curtained his forehead, and behind his aviator sunglasses, his artist’s mind was accumulating ideas for songs or short films or some other type of project. What many did not realise was, he had an agenda for much of it that went above and beyond his own, personal enjoyment and desire for success.
It is impossible not to be affected by success; everyone is, in one way or another. Because he could afford to, Michael Jackson could realise his dreams, including building his own version of Disneyland at the ranch he purchased in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, in 1988 – and which he renamed Neverland Valley Ranch. He also liked to lavish expensive gifts on his friends. But, like the many items he gave away – a lot of which periodically turn up at auctions – he also used Neverland to bring joy to others. He hosted Make a Wish and socially disadvantaged children at Neverland’s amusement park, where everything was free for the kids, and the bill for all of it was paid by Michael. Former Neverland employee Allan Scanlan (a.k.a. Big Al) described it as the equivalent of opening Disneyland for the day just for these sick kids. Despite the many groups, sometimes amounting to hundreds of children who enjoyed these visits, this aspect of Neverland went largely unreported. “He didn’t do it as a marketing tool… he did it from the heart,” Allan explains. [2]
Already a benefactor to many grateful charities, in 1992 Jackson set up his own Heal the World Foundation, which was responsible for airlifting much needed supplies to war-torn Sarajevo, [3] supported drug and alcohol abuse education, and sourced a liver for a Hungarian boy (Bela Farkas) awaiting a transplant. [4] “I started Heal the World Foundation to improve the conditions for children throughout the world,” Michael said in a promotional advertisement for the charity in 1993. [5] He had invited former US President and fellow humanitarian Jimmy Carter to be co-chair of the foundation, and together they promoted an immunization program in President Carter’s hometown of Atlanta that resulted in 17,000 children being immunized in just five days. [6]
One of the projects funded by the foundation was called Heal LA, which mirrored The Carter Centre’s Atlanta Project. The focus of Heal LA was to support a variety of programs and services to children in then riot-torn East Los Angeles. A generation later, Jackson’s eldest son Prince and his project partner John Muto began Heal LA #2 when they were both students at Loyola Marymount University. What began as a student project to benefit underprivileged youngsters in the spirit of the efforts of Prince’s father, the new Heal Los Angeles has become a fully-fledged foundation in its own right since John and Prince graduated, with numerous projects under its belt. “Our core impact areas revolve around ‘Self-Care’ and ‘Education,’ where we are committed to designing and implementing programs that create a lasting positive effect on the youths we serve.” [7]
In talking to Associated Press in December 2024, Prince, now 27 years old, admitted his father’s philanthropic activities left some big shoes to fill. “I don’t know if I ever could, but I wear it like a badge of honour,” he said. [8] Not just children, but adults and animals benefited from Michael Jackson’s generosity. When he sang “Earth Song” surrounded by the blackened remains of a burnt forest, the environment movement benefited from his highlighting issues caused by destructive human behaviour. The song, and its message, remains relevant to this day and continues to inspire those working for a cleaner, fairer, healthier world. [9]
For many of his followers, being a Michael Jackson fan comes with an obligation to think about the welfare of others, and do what one can to help out, even if that’s only to give emotional support and encouragement in times of personal distress. However, Michael’s belief in the power of love as the means to heal our planet, and ourselves, can be difficult to emulate. But he was right. If we love the Earth, our planetary home, for example, why would we live our lives in such a way that causes harm to it, or to the other creatures that live on it? Why would we contribute to its despoilation for our own children and all those to come? Loving something comes with an obligation to take care of it.
Michael gave generously, not just money, but his time and energy. As noted by Paul Dwyer in his book Humanitarian: the Real Michael Jackson: “His appearances didn’t only provide publicity and awareness, but for many of the underprivileged, brought an emotional value that was truly priceless.” [10]
Despite the passage of time, Michael Jackson’s humanitarian legacy remains as important as ever. On Christmas Day back in 1992, he said, “Today of all days we focus on loving one another and giving. Let’s do that, not just one day of the year, but for 365 days… Let’s love one another, let’s forget hatred, and turn to those that are suffering, not just today, but every day.” [11]
Throughout his life, Michael Jackson showed that humble beginnings were no impediment to doing good in the world. As his son Prince has acknowledged, Michael left big shoes to fill.
Kerry Hennigan
14 January 2025
Afterword: This article is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Swedish Michael Jackson fan Christine Walldén, 21 August 1956 —11 November 2024, a devoted trustee of the fan-created organisation Michael Jackson’s Legacy, UK Registered Charity 1149088. https://www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org/
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Michael Jackson’s Legacy (MJL) is not officially approved by, sanctioned by, or affiliated with the following: Michael Jackson, The Michael Jackson Estate, The Michael Jackson Company, Heal the World Foundation, Sony, Epic or any other entity or establishment that is associated with Michael Jackson.
Sources:
[1] Jackson, Michael. Moonwalk. Arrow paperback edition 2010, page 26.
[2] 2024 Righting HIStory End of Year Livestream. 28 Dec 2024. https://www.youtube.com/live/nsOvq5Fz5NU?si=yetNABi1wUp3d7fY
[3] YouTube @nalonso68jackson “Michael Jackson press conference in Sarajevo Nov 24, 1992.” 31 May 2024. https://youtu.be/1q8t4gocryg?si=3TSCZKqQYDcP93QQ
[4] michaeljackson.com (official website). “Bela Farkas remembers Michael Jackson saving his life.” 7 March 2019. https://www.michaeljackson.com/au/news/bela-farkas-remembers-michael-jackson-saving-his-life/
[5] Seatle Times “Jackson’s Foundation aimed at helping Children.” 8 Feb 1993. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19930208/1684302/jacksons-foundation-aimed-at-helping-children
[6] michaeljackson.com. “Michael Jackson and Jimmy Carter at Atlanta immunization drive 1993.” 5 May 1993. https://www.michaeljackson.com/au/photo/michael-jackson-jimmy-carter-at-atlanta-immunization-drive-1993/
[7] Heal Los Angeles Foundation. Statement of purpose on official website. https://heallafdn.com/ . The Heal Los Angeles Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 84-2365858).
[8] E! Online. “Michael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson tries to fill big shoes.” 21 Dec 2024. https://www.eonline.com/news/1411448/michael-jacksons-son-prince-jackson-tries-to-fill-big-shoes
[9] Hennigan, Kerry. “MJ Studies Today XCV: From the killing fields and burning forests of ‘Earth Song:’ Michael Jackson as an advocate for social change Part 2.“ (14-11-2023).The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies Vol 10, No. 2 (2023). https://sya.rqu.mybluehost.me/website_94cbf058/mj-studies-today-xcv/
[10] Dwyer, Paul. Humanitarian: the REAL Michael Jackson. (2020 revised eBook edition).
[11] michaeljackson.com (official website) “Michael Jackson’s Christmas message from 1992.” 24 Dec 2024. https://www.michaeljackson.com/news/michael-jacksons-christmas-message-from-1992/
Illustration: Photo montage “not just today, but every day” compiled by Kerry Hennigan. No infringement of photographic copyright is intended in this not for profit, educational exercise.