Let me take you back to 1982. Ronald Reagan ran the country. The Rubikıs cube was still confusing and the Atari 2600 was high tech. I was 6 years old, my brother was my idol and we waited at Sam Goody for three hours, along with an enormous crowd, anticipating the release of MTVıs first full-length movie video "Thriller."

Now understand that Janet was fresh off "Good Times," Latoya hadnıt yet met Hef and Tito and Jermaine well... you know. Back then, little Michael was about ABCıs, glittered gloves and the moonwalk. The whole world loved him and we could care less whether he was black or white.

Michael Jackson is the "King of Pop," there is no debating that. Now lately, our media hungry environment has swarmed the news stands with accusations of child endangerment and plastic surgery.

Does it really matter? Do you really want me to analyze your life? How would you stand up to the scrutiny of an American idol? My point is, letıs not try and moonwalk in his shoes.

Jackson has done more for the world than anyone I know. You ask, who am I? I say, exactly. Who am I and who are you to judge.

Jackson is an international superstar. He has a few screws loose; there is just no debating that either.

He doesnıt think the way I think; he doesnıt think the way most of us do. But, does that make him less of a man? Do we not live in a nation that gives us the right to live our life how we want?

OK, so he has had a few too many surgeries and doesnıt father his children like we think he should. For Godıs sake, he wishes he was Peter Pan!

Letıs sit back and think about it though. He never had the childhood we all take for granted, yet we are so quick to judge.

Itıs just not right.

I canıt even begin to understand the problems he has to deal with.

I mean, I donıt have to worry about paparazzi chasing me. I donıt have to worry about Barbara Walters convincing you that Iım a decent individual.

I would love the opportunity to spend time on the Neverland Ranch.

As a college journalist, I would have shown the world the true Michael Jackson.

I work in the media and I understand why we are quick to examine the way he chooses to live. I understand why everyone has a stance on the way he chooses to do what he does.

Sometimes itıs hard for me to take his side, but at the same time, I sit here thinking: who am I to judge?

Who am I to say what he does is right or wrong?

The way I see it, heıs a successful African-American male taking care of business.

Martin Bashir, the British journalist, made us all fall in love with Princess Diana again, regardless of her infidelities. She had her faults but he invited us to look past them. Why couldnıt Bashir let us see Jackson in the same way?

Does he have to pass on before we can appreciate what he has done? Elvis wasnıt exactly the model American, but you donıt see us dwelling on his problems.

Bashir tried to capitalize on Jacksonıs success and ruined his own career.

No celebrity in his or her right mind would ever do an interview with this clown again.

The bottom line is, Iım not the person who has the right to explain Jacksonıs behavioral problems, and neither are you.

Leave the man alone and enjoy the happiness he brings with his music.

Sometimes I wish the issues I deal with on an average day were black and white, but they are not. Jackson has made my life a little more enjoyable through his lyrics and I appreciate him for what he does and the music he makes.

Everyone wants to know about his love life... well, Billie Jean is not his lover, so beat it!

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